Chicago Bulls: Why DeMar DeRozan should be the primary ball handler

The Chicago Bulls have reportedly acquired free agent wing DeMar DeRozan in a sign and trade. Chicago gave the San Antonio Spurs Thaddeus Young, Al-Farouq Aminu, a first-round pick, and two second-round picks for the rights to sign DeRozan to a contract worth $85 million over three seasons.

But how should the Bulls use DeRozan next season? The answer is: as a primary ball-handler. DeRozan excels in the pick and roll, shooting 47.4 percent from the field on 6.4 shots per game. The shooting percentage has allowed him to average 8.2 points per game in the pick and roll: 35.3 percent of his scoring output.

Let’s take a look at why making DeMar DeRozan the primary ball handler is the only way for the Chicago Bulls to get maximum value.

On the flip side, DeRozan’s biggest weakness is 3-point shooting, as he has converted 33.3 percent of his catch and shoots on 1.2 attempts per game since 2013. Catch and shoots have accounted for 70.6 percent of his attempts, as he has shot 29.7 percent from behind the arc on 1.7 shots per game.

Consequently, the only way DeMar DeRozan could have a maximum impact on the Bulls is as a primary ball-handler. Fortunately for DeRozan, the Bulls are a team that can accentuate his strengths as they were 15th in pick and rolls, averaging 20 per game.

They shot 45.6 percent from the field in the pick and roll on 15.6 shots per game, creating 18.3 points. The team would have to make a minor adjustment to how they run the pick and roll. The team gave most of their possessions to their star, Zach LaVine, as he averaged 10.8 per game.

Zach LaVine shot 47.3 percent from the field in the pick and roll on 8.3 shots per game. The field goal percentage allowed him to average 10.8 points per game: 59 percent of the team’s pick and roll production.

Chicago would have to decrease the number of pick-and-roll possessions that LaVine is getting and make him play more off the ball because he could thrive as a floor spacer. LaVine has converted 41.9 percent of his catch and shoots on 2.3 attempts.

Catch and shoots accounted for 44 percent of his total attempts, as he shot 38.5 percent from behind the arc on 5.3 shots per game. LaVine’s ability to thrive off the ball opens up the door for the Bulls to give DeRozan the primary ball handler role.

LaVine is not the only Bull who would be able to thrive off the ball, as newly signed guard Lonzo Ball has turned himself into an above-average shooter after making certain adjustments to his shooting form.

Ball struggled as a 3-point shooter during his first two seasons in the league, converting 31.8 percent of his catch and shoots on 3.3 attempts per game. Catch and shoots were responsible for 62.3 percent of his attempts as he shot 31.5 percent from behind the arc on 5.3 shots per game. Ball’s shooting issues were related to a funky release.

Ball used to bring his shooting hand across his body to the left side of his head before releasing the basketball. The old form would hinder Ball’s depth perception as he was shooting because the right arm ended up in between his eyes, causing obstructed vision.

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After his first two seasons, Lonzo got moved from Los Angeles to New Orleans as he was included in the trade package for Anthony Davis. Upon arriving in New Orleans, shooting coach Fred Vinson was able to center Ball’s shot as he now releases the ball on the right side of his head instead of across his body. The new shooting form allowed him to have a clear view of the basket.

The change propelled him to convert 39.6 percent of his catch and shoots on 5 attempts per game. Catch and shoots accounted for 69.4 percent of his total attempts, as he shot 37.6 percent from behind the arc on 7.2 shots per game. Ball’s 3-point shooting improvement will allow him to excel off the ball; thus, giving more reason for the Bulls to make DeRozan the primary ball-handler.

Ball and LaVine aren’t the only two players who are considered above-average shooters for their position as Nikola Vucevic has converted 35.9 percent of his catch and shoots since 2016 on 3.6 attempts per game.

Catch and shoots have accounted for all of his attempts. Chicago’s ability to surround DeRozan with versatile players, who can succeed off the ball, opens the door for DeMar DeRozan to thrive in his element as a primary ball-handler.

However, if the Bulls don’t make this adjustment, DeRozan will spend a significant portion of his minutes as a floor spacer. Coby White, Lauri Markkanen, and Vucevic took over 50 percent of their shots from behind the arc last season, averaging 6.6, 5.8, and 5.8 per game, respectively.

Unfortunately, defenders leave DeRozan unguarded when he is behind the arc. 91.7 percent of his threes were uncontested last season, averaging 1.1 per game. Consequently, his defender will likely leave him open, increasing the likelihood of a contested shot for one of the teammates.

In conclusion, Chicago should make DeRozan the primary ball-handler to get maximum value out of the contract while preventing him from becoming a liability to the team.