The Bulls have agreed to a contract with forward E.J. Liddell, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link). While the details of the contract aren’t yet known, it’s probably safe to assume it’s an Exhibit 10 deal, with Chicago having also signed Talen Horton-Tucker and Kenneth Lofton Jr. to such contracts in recent weeks.
Liddell, the No. 41 pick in the 2022 draft, spent two years with the Pelicans. He missed what would have been his rookie season in 2022/23 with a knee injury before playing eight games with New Orleans last season.
This offseason, Liddell was moved to the Hawks as part of the trade that sent Dejounte Murray to the Pelicans. He was then re-routed to the Suns before being waived.
In 29 G League games last season, Liddell averaged 17.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks while shooting 50.8% from the floor and 27.0% from deep. The Ohio State product averaged 14.1 points across 92 career collegiate games as well.
If Liddell’s contract is an Exhibit 10 deal, he’ll be competing for one of the Bulls’ last remaining roster spots. As noted above, Chicago has Horton-Tucker and Lofton alongside Marcus Domask on training camp contracts. Chicago has 15 players on standard contracts but Onuralp Bitim‘s contract is non-guaranteed. The Bulls also have one two-way spot open.
It looks as though the Bulls are fielding an open competition heading into training camp. Bitim will battle to hold his 15th spot on the roster while the Exhibit 10 players compete for either that spot or the Bulls’ open two-way. It’s important to note that Liddell, Lofton and Domask are eligible for two-way deals while Horton-Tucker is not.
Reminder that beloved veterans like Dwight Howard are playing in Taiwan… while G-League guys still get contracts.
Dinosaur bully ball centers have made way for shooting fives.
Also apparent is that the league is all about wings today. The offense goes through the wings, shot making and defense is played by the wings, and versatile defense from 1 through 5 is played by the wings Over certain possessions.
A wing with handles is bigger and stronger than a traditional point guard. A wing with strength and hops can rebound and challenge a big man defensively.
All this happens over a 24-second shot clock possession. Less chance of a mismatch, which previously teams would recognize immediately and take advantage of. That’s reduced in today’s game.
The emphasis on talented wings have turned around the career of someone like Gary payton. Up till age 30 he could not find a team or a guaranteed contract. Even at just 6’3 you put him on the wing and guard 1-3 and he is now a valuable piece off your bench.
He can hit the corner three, he’ll swing the ball and not dribble away possessions, he’ll rebound well for his size and put back dunks.
The new NBA game has created opportunities for guys who were guard size but couldn’t handle the ball or run the point or create shots off the dribble for themselves or others.
Turn them loose on the wing and you have today’s valuable contributors. That’s just one example.
Weakest era ever
Teams are going with athletes rather than strength. Quickness over post moves. Speed over footwork in the lane. I don’t know if that makes it weak? You could be right.
What’s happened is when you have a dominant post guy they double-team him down low. So he has to kick it to whom?
You need a shooter out there. With the shot clock winding down you don’t have time for the receiving “kickee” to dribble around and try to get a shot close to the basket.
I don’t know if that makes this era weak, but you could be right.
I liked Liddell coming out of College and thought the Bulls might draft him but they took Ayo instead. Good move for a change and then Liddell got hurt right after he got drafted so lost track of him. If his knee is really OK he could be a 4 in the NBA. As fr as I’m concerned he’s already the best 4 on the Bulls since they don’t have one.
Agreed. Good pick up. Bulls need more size and athleticism on their front line. All that the Bulls have are Vucevic and Jalen Smith.