Chicago Bulls: 3 remedies to return to playoff contention

3. Bring in some key veterans

Most Chicago Bulls fans were begging for the ping pong balls to fall their way in the NBA Draft Lottery so the team could draft Zion Williamson. If they had to, they’d settle for Ja Morant and the second overall pick. Of course, neither happened and we know the rest of that story.

As flashy as either of them would have been in a Bulls jersey, what this team really needs is veteran leadership.

This isn’t a swipe at Zach LaVine or Otto Porter Jr. or anyone else on the current roster, but the reality is, it’s tough for a predominately young team without many established veteran voices on the court and in the locker room to win in the NBA. It’s obvious the Bulls need to fill a definite leadership void.

One obvious candidate who would add a strong leadership voice is Los Angeles Clippers point guard (and Chicago native), Patrick Beverley. A pending free agent, he would provide veteran leadership, either starting or coming off the bench, and would give the Bulls the gritty, defensive-minded attitude they sorely need. Also, it’s clear he’s been paying attention to some recent moves his hometown franchise has been making.

Besides Beverley, re-signing Robin Lopez could prove vital for the club. Though he provides quality performances on the court, averaging 9.5 points and 3.9 rebounds in 2018-19, his value might be bigger within the locker room. The elder statesman of the current squad,  a re-upped Lopez would bring a familiarity to the team, as well as a calming presence.

Other free agent options with valuable leadership qualities include former Bull Taj Gibson, Brooklyn Nets forward Jared Dudley, Toronto Raptors swingman Danny Green and Philadelphia 76ers shooting guard J.J. Redick, who the Bulls have courted in the past.