NBA Rumors: Chicago Bulls Look To Sign Thanasis Antetokounmpo
The Chicago Bulls do not appear to be done adding to their roster. According to the NBA rumor mill, the Bulls are interested in Thanasis Antetokounmpo. If the Bulls are successful in signing Antetokounmpo, they will have a player who fits the mold of being younger and more athletic than the outgoing players.
The French-based website Basket Infos is reporting that the Bulls and Dallas Mavericks are two of the several teams taking a hard look at Thanasis Antetokounmpo. Antetokounmpo is a 6-7 wing player with length and athleticism. Much like his brother, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis has tremendous upside, which is something that the Bulls need.
What is unknown to the Bulls, Mavericks, and other teams is the height of his ceiling. Giannis, who plays for the Milwaukee Bucks, is an All-Star level talent. The gamble that the Bucks made in drafting him has paid off well. It is the hope that Thanasis Antetokounmpo has enough upside to turn into a solid rotational player. Perhaps even a starter at some point. That is the hope of the team which signs him.
The Dallas Mavericks and Chicago Bulls are among the teams to express interest in Thanasis Antetokounmpo, according to sources.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) July 14, 2016
Thanasis Antetokounmpo is only 23 years old. That is a plus.
Disregard the free agency moves the Bulls have made thus far. Their two high-profile signings were Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo. Both are 34 and 30 respectively, and their additions go against what the Bulls’ front office had originally planned.
As of now, it appears the Bulls are a little bit thin on young players, at least for the philosophy that general manager Gar Foreman envisions. It is a myth that the Bulls got older with Wade and Rondo. Everyone else with the exception of Taj Gibson is under 30. That includes the Bulls’ most recent signing.
#Bulls sign Isaiah Canaan to two-year deal: https://t.co/d7tfSldelr#BullsTalk pic.twitter.com/shsajODdAN
— NBC Sports Chicago (@NBCSChicago) July 13, 2016
Point guard Isaiah Canaan was added to be a three-point specialist for the Bulls. Canaan, 25, is excited to join (courtesy of the Philadelphia Inquirer) the Bulls.
“I’m just looking forward to another great opportunity. They got good veterans on the team with D-Wade, Rondo and Jimmy Butler. So I’m looking forward to getting into the gym with them guys.”
Canaan is so excited that he reiterated how good the opportunity would be for him.
“It’s an up-and-coming team. They got Wade. Everybody knows how he is, a great all-star, been around the league for a while. And he’s back home with an up-and-coming talent like Jimmy Butler. It can’t get no better than that.”
Isaiah Canaan will get an opportunity to earn some playing time. He is a 35 percent shooter from the three-point line. How much he plays will be determined by the matchup and his ability to make shots.
Now that the Bulls have a much-needed shooter in the mix, they need a athletic wing to help with the perimeter defense, or a rim protector. Adding Thanasis Antetokounmpo would solve the Bulls’ need for another athlete. His length can help him become a shot-blocker in the NBA.
Giannis only shot 41 percent from the field in his rookie year. His next two seasons he made 49 and 50 percent of his shots.
Realistically, Thanasis Antetokounmpo can become a 45 percent shooter, but can come at a later time. Can Thanasis Antetokounmpo play defense?
That is a mystery to the Bulls and every other team interested in him. Offensively, Thanasis Antetokounmpo is a work in progress, but his defense will get him signed to a team and ample playing time to grow his game.
The latest NBA rumor suggests the Chicago Bulls are hoping that it happens with them.
[Photo by Elsa/Getty Images]
