“Is Doug McDermott the Missing Piece for the Bulls’ 3-Point Struggles?”
The Chicago Bulls’ offseason focus has largely been on who they lost rather than who they gained. They traded Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan but drafted rookie Matas Buzelis and signed Jalen Smith. The team hasn’t significantly addressed their major issue of 3-point shooting, an area where they ranked 26th in the NBA last season and lost one of their best shooters in Caruso.
Whether the Bulls are aiming for the playoffs or a rebuild, it would be beneficial for them to sign an elite shooter like Doug McDermott, who is available. Although McDermott, originally drafted by the Bulls in 2014 and later traded away, is now nearing the end of his career, he still excels at 3-point shooting.
The Bulls are currently over the cap but have around $4.3 million left from their non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which should be sufficient for a one-year deal with McDermott. While he may not play extensive minutes, his presence would create space for the Bulls’ young guards due to his sharpshooting.
McDermott could also be a valuable, inexpensive option off the bench and a potential trade asset at the deadline for teams needing shooting. If the Bulls trade Zach LaVine, their need for 3-point shooting would become even more pressing, leaving them with only one high-volume shooter in the lineup. Despite being in the later stages of his career, McDermott remains a high-level shooter, which aligns with the modern game’s emphasis on shooting and spacing.