Should the Bulls go after RJ Barrett?

Bill Streicher - USA Today Sports

Dustin Riese - Senior Writer - 6 hours ago

There is no question that the Chicago Bulls' current roster lacks a superstar. Ever since losing DeMar DeRozan (Free agency) and trading away Zach LaVine, the Bulls have gone from a team capable of making a playoff run to settling for the play-in round and running it back.

As things currently stand, the Bulls have stars on their roster, such as Coby White, Matas Buzelis, and Josh Giddey, but do you consider any of them a true Superstar capable of building an organization around? The resounding answer would be no, but considering how Giddey played down the stretch last season, if the Bulls were to bring him back, he could be on the verge of becoming a Superstar, which could be the first step in rebuilding this organization on the fly.

Another way to help jumpstart a team's direction would be to swing for the fences, not only in free agency but also on the trade market, as several players will be looking for new homes this offseason. Whether or not the player is available is another story, but it can't hurt to kick the tires, as the Bulls know how crucial this offseason is to not only continue developing their young talent but also to add talent around them to take this team to the next level.

One name to keep an eye on is Toronto SF RJ Barrett, who may not be considered a Superstar, but is a starting player who would instantly become the best player on the Bulls' roster. Hearing Barrett linked to the Bulls as a possible trade option shouldn't come as a surprise, as Arturas Karnisovas had expressed interest in Barrett several years ago and showed interest in him again last season, before his move from New York to Toronto.

Since entering the league, the 6-6, 214-pound Barrett has lived up to the top-five billing he received upon being drafted and has become an excellent scorer in this league. He is coming off a season in which he averaged 21.1 points per game, while adding 6.3 rebounds per game and 5.4 assists per game. This marked the second straight season and the fourth time in his career that Barrett has averaged at least 20 points per game, with an average of 18.8 points per game across his six-year career.

While that is solid production, it has been over the past two seasons that he has increased his scoring, averaging a career-best 21.8 PPG in 2023-24 and now averaging 21.3 PPG since joining the Raptors. What stands out about Barrett is the many different ways he can score the basketball, as he not only can put the ball on the floor to get to the rim, but also step back and knock down the jumper.

His 441% from the field doesn't accurately reflect his shooting ability, nor does his 34.7% from distance over his career, as Barrett has had several seasons where he shot between 38% and 40% from distance. The potential is there for him to take his game to the next level, but apart from a few months in New York, Barrett has never had the secondary scoring option to take the load off his shoulders, which he would have in Chicago with White and possibly Giddey coming back.

While the fit for Barrett is undoubtedly there, as he would provide the Bulls with their first legitimate small forward since DeRozan, acquiring him is the question, as the Bulls will have to give up something in return. Patrick Williams' name continues to pop up as he has been nothing short of a bust. The former No. 4 overall pick has played more like a second-round pick since entering the league, and after receiving a massive five-year extension last offseason, it appears the Bulls are experiencing buyer's remorse.

It will take more than Williams to get Barrett, as the proposed trade going to Toronto involves Williams, Ayo Dosunmu, or Jevon Carter for Barrett. Williams and Dosunmu may not be enough on their own, so you would have to consider adding Carter or a player like Zach Collins to make the trade worthwhile.

Is that too much to acquire a player like Barrett? Perhaps, but the Bulls need more scoring, and Williams will never be that guy. Getting a deal like this done can, at the very least, remove the mistake of Williams from the picture, as Barrett is playing the way a top-five pick should play.