The Chicago Bulls entered free agency looking for an upgrade an offense, targeting New York Knicks’ forward Carmelo Anthony. Once it was clear Anthony was going to re-sign with the Knicks, the Bulls switched their focus. They signed Los Angeles Lakers’ big man Pau Gasol to a three-year, $22 million deal and brought Real Madrid forward Nikola Mirotić over on a three-year, $17 million deal. They used their draft pick on offense – trading the 16th and 19th-overall picks to acquire the rights to 11th-overall pick, former Creighton Blue Jays’ forward Doug McDermott.
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Jabari Davis of Basketball Insiders wasn’t the biggest McDermott fan, but does see him as a good fit in Chicago.
"I was actually far more hesitant about McDermott prior to the draft than I am now. He performed well enough to make them believers, and has looked pretty good in SL. I do think he’ll struggle defensively, especially against certain players. Offensively, I definitely think he will be a boost for the Bulls. He’s more than just a shooter, and can actually create the space to get the shot he wants unlike some of his less favorable pre-draft comparisons. Much like I would caution folks not to be discouraged by a lack of multiple 30-point games in SL, I also wouldn’t always become instantly infatuated by some of the numbers Harris/Hairston are putting up. I do think each of them will transition and perform well at this level, but I also think McDermott will be a good fit and piece for Chicago once he settles in."
In a 103-76 win over the Denver Nuggets in the Las Vegas Summer League last week, McDermott dropped 31 points. He shot seven-of-12 from the field. He was five-of-nine from beyond the arc and a perfect 12-of-12 from the free throw line.