The Chicago Bulls offseason continues to gather a somewhat odd but interesting momentum. Nobody will say it’s earth-shattering, but it certainly has an air of optimism around it. Things began well with the drafting of Coby White 7th overall. His relentless fast break ability and offensive upside may finally give them the long-term point guard they’ve been starved of since Derrick Rose left.
Then in free agency they added two unheralded veterans. Both of who drastically improve their depth. Thaddeus Young brings length, size, and toughness to the front court along with a sturdy defensive presence. He’s joined by Tomas Satoransky, a sign-and-trade acquisition from Washington. A diehard Michael Jordan fan, he brings a balanced skill set that will enable him to play both point and shooting guard.
He should make for a perfect stopgap until White is ready.
One also must not forget 2nd round pick Daniel Gafford who was tremendous during his final season at Arkansas. He averaged 16.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game. He is a 6’11 athlete who can play either center or power forward depending on the situation. One would think the Bulls can be satisfied with this work.
Turns out they weren’t quite done yet.
Chicago Bulls secure French guard Adam Mokoka as a free agent
The name Adam Mokoka will only be known to basketball experts. He didn’t exactly light up stat sheets during his time in the Pro A league in France. The best he could manage was 3.2 points per game. He also withdrew from consideration for the 2018 draft last year and had hoped he could be a 2nd round selection this year after gaining more experience. Sadly for him, it didn’t work out.
Not that the Bulls are complaining. Mokoka may lack any potency on the offensive side, but he is emerging as one of the best defenders on the international circuit. His athleticism, conditioning, and utterly relentless pressure on ball handlers has led to numerous steals and forced turnovers by his opponents. This is something that Chicago is undoubtedly interested in.
They have plenty of offensive firepower on the roster. What they don’t have is guys who can stop the other team from scoring. The addition of Young was a nice step in the right direction. Mokoka is another. He can be one of those bench guys that Jim Boylen can call on to protect a lead late in games. He’s even drawn comparisons to Patrick Beverly, one of the best defending guards in the NBA.
