Let’s get one thing out of the way: Barring a trade, the Chicago Bulls won’t be getting a big name in the 2021 NBA Draft. Chicago’s first and only pick is in the second round, at #38 overall (assuming Chicago exercises its right to swap its second rounder (#40) with New Orleans). But second-round picks often become NBA contributors. Three-time NBA Champion Draymond Green was drafted with the 35th pick in 2012. Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic was drafted at #41 overall by the Denver Nuggets in 2014, when Bulls EVP of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas was the assistant GM in Denver. Good teams utilize their second-rounders well, and we can only hope that the Bulls do the same.
One prospect the Bulls should look into at #38 is Quentin Grimes. The Houston product is entering the draft after his third collegiate season (he spent one season with Kansas before transferring to Houston). Let’s dive into Grimes’ strengths and weaknesses, along with his potential fit on the Bulls.
Strengths
Grimes averaged 17.8 points per game this past season. He shot 40% from 3 while averaging 8.3 attempts per game. His shooting should translate well to the NBA’s increased three-point line distance. Grimes also grabbed nearly 6 rebounds per game, which is very good for a guard.
However, the biggest part of Grimes’ game is his impact on the defensive end. Grimes was a key cog of Houston’s defense, which was one of the best in the country. His quick feet and 6’8″ wingspan give him the ability to defend pull-up shooters and contest shots at the rim. His advanced stats, like his 2.4 defensive win shares and 2.9 defensive box plus-minus, further show that he had a terrific defensive season last year. At the NBA level, he should be able to guard both types of guards and small forwards without too much trouble, though bigger forwards could give him trouble.
Weaknesses
Despite his terrific shooting from deep, Grimes only shot 41% from inside the arc. That’s… not ideal. He can’t seem to get to the rim despite his relative size, which forces him to take awkward shots. He was also unable to draw many fouls, only averaging 3.8 free throw attempts per game. He made 78.8% of the free throws he did attempt, which isn’t terrible but also isn’t ideal for a combo guard.
The biggest concern with Grimes is his playmaking. He only averaged 2 assists per game last season, which is pretty low for any player with a high usage rate, much less a guard. His 1.07 assist-to-turnover ratio shows that he didn’t do much offensively outside of scoring. His limitations as a ball handler make it tough for him to create for his teammates.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ptda06W1oH4[/embedyt]Grimes’ Fit With the Bulls
The Bulls were bad defensively last season and lacked consistent outside shooting outside of Zach LaVine. Grimes could fill both of these needs very well. His defensive chops could help mask LaVine’s defense, and his shooting would help create spacing for both LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. However, the Bulls’ biggest need this offseason is a point guard who can help create on offense, and barring a lot of development (which isn’t out of the question with head coach Billy Donovan, who’s known as a point guard whisperer), Grimes isn’t that player.