NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bulls are in the hunt for a veteran big man.
While a lot of the conversation has been centered around what the team will continue to do at the point guard position, finding help in the paint appears to be at the top of Gar Forman and John Paxson’s list as well.
The Bulls have already been linked one time or another to free agents Taj Gibson, Marcus Morris and Julius Randle. Not to mention, the team was also rumored to be showing interest in No. 1-ranked center Jaxson Hayes during the draft process. Well, it’s time to add one other name into the hat: Enes Kanter.
The Chicago Bulls are among the teams expected to show interest in free agent big man Enes Kanter, per SNY sources.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 29, 2019
The 27-year-old big man has been on the move during his time in the NBA but hasn’t failed to be productive wherever he goes. He began his career with Utah in 2011 before being sent off to Oklahoma City during the 2014-15 season. After two full seasons with the team, he found his way to New York to play with the Knicks. Despite starting 71 games in his first season with the team, he ended up riding the bench and eventually waived in early February of last season.
And in comes the Portland Trailblazers.
He made it to the playoffs during his first season with the Jazz and then back-to-back season with the Thunder. However, his most recent playoff run to the Western Conference Finals with Portland will probably go down as his best.
He averaged 11.4 points per game with an impressive 9.7 rebounds per game, starting 14 of the team’s 16 playoff games. With experience coming off the bench and a reputation of filling the role needed of him, you could see why the Bulls would be interested.
Not only is he an aggressive player in the paint (Jim Boylen’s ears just went up), but he is an enthusiastic guy that could spot-start when needed and bring energy to the bench.
I will say, sometimes he can be a bit too enthusiastic though…
"I feel like he's Julius Randle with hops."@EnesKanter on Zion Williamson pic.twitter.com/d0iXjzZBCF
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) June 26, 2019
Come on, Enes. You don’t have the right!
Either way, Kanter has proven to be a useful big man in this league, and he could be a great substitute for what Robin Lopez was able to give the Bulls over the past several seasons. The price shouldn’t be too high considering Kanter skillset isn’t anything more than a post player, but I do think it’s possible another team could attempt to promise him more starting time throughout the season. Clearly, the Bulls will want to stick with Wendell Carter Jr., on the court and, you have to imagine, No. 38-overall pick Daniel Gafford will see some minutes out there as well, but the Bulls need depth… and bad.
He may rub people the wrong way at some points, but Chicago can certainly use Kanter’s rebounding ability and experience on the roster. Hey, the Bulls could do worse when it comes to adding depth.
