1. Continue to improve defensively
After a less than stellar showing from a defensive standpoint last season (opponents shot 47.2 percent from the field), defense is an area the Bulls definitely need to improve in. Yes, Kris Dunn took pride in this area, leading the team with two steals per contest.
However, Dunn was one of the few players that consistently played with a great level of intensity at that end of the floor. Fortunately for the Bulls, Hutchison knows a little something about playing defense.
After averaging 0.5 steals per contest during his freshman campaign in 2014-15, Hutchison’s numbers have improved each subsequent season and he averaged a respectable 1.5 steals per outing last season and 1.9 steals on a 40-minute scale.
Additionally, he allowed just .78 points per isolation possession, placing him in the 51st percentile in this category, per NBA.com.
While it will be difficult to project how well he can defend at the NBA level due to playing in a zone scheme in college, Hutchison does have the length to be a disruptive force at that end of the floor.
As long as that continues to be the case, he will more than likely see a reasonable amount of playing time during his rookie season.