How Does a Former NBA Three-Point Contest Winner Change the 26-27 Chicago Bulls?
The Chicago Bulls have had a relatively quiet offseason, but have made a few headlines in the NBA world recently. Two weeks ago, the team announced a contract to bring former player Taj Gibson on board as an assistant coach. With just over a week until their preseason tip-off, they have now agreed to trade Rob Dillingham to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Buddy Hield and cash considerations. This marks Chicago's second offseason move, following the acquisition of Nic Claxton from the Brooklyn Nets in mid-July. The Bulls add a seasoned veteran to their frontcourt, while the Hornets continue their rebuild with yet another young talent.
From Chicago’s side, this move seems like a great feature on paper. Last year, the 1998 NBA Champions had the fifth-youngest roster across the league, with their average player age sitting at 25.5 years old. After trading away two-time all-star Nikola Vučević to the Boston Celtics, the organization's lack of experience grew larger. Hield not only brings a resume of 10 years playing against top-level competition, but has also logged meaningful minutes in three consecutive NBA Playoffs. The Bulls didn’t receive just any longstanding professional, but one who knows what it takes to win games in the NBA.
Looking at this move through an on-court basketball lens, Chi-town needs help in their backcourt. Hield joins a rotation of Tre Jones, Josh Giddey, and Norman Powell as the team’s main guard options. As a more traditional shooting guard, the Oklahoma alum doesn’t bring enough ball-handling to supplement the minutes that Jones will rest. However, he does give this offense a different weapon. The six-foot-four sharpshooter immediately becomes this group’s primary threat from beyond the arc, something they would’ve otherwise lacked.
Hield is not an identity-altering addition. Chicago’s roster, as currently constructed, overflows with forward/center talent like Claxton, Matas Buzelis, and Patrick Williams. It is obvious that a punishing playstyle, relying on consistent rim attacks and paint domination, best suits the strengths of their team. The importance of the 10-year veteran lies in his shooting accuracy and experience, allowing the Bulls to threaten opponents in multiple dimensions during 26-27.
