How Tari Eason Could Help Solve The Chicago Bulls’ Biggest Issues

The Chicago Bulls are currently in win-now mode, which was evident by their decision making in 2021, where they acquired Nikola Vucevic at the trade deadline, and later acquired both DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball during free agency.

In lieu of that, it’d normally make sense for the Bulls to shop their 2022 first-round draft pick (the 18th overall selection) for a veteran player. After all, a rookie will take some years to develop, and they simply don’t have that time.

Only, the Bulls are going into an offseason with some fairly big question marks hanging over them, which should change the equation.

Zach LaVine uncertainty

All-Star guard Zach LaVine is an unrestricted free agent, who can leave the Bulls if he so chooses. Due to the nature of his free agent status, the Bulls wouldn’t even get any assets in return, should LaVine decide to sign with a team that has enough room under the salary cap to afford his services.

The cost of doing business with LaVine, it should be mentioned, is a max level contract.

While there is an open path for LaVine back to Chicago, the team that can offer him the most money, this is the NBA. Nothing is guaranteed. The Bulls may be able to offer the most money and a winning situation, but if LaVine’s heart is set on something else, there’s nothing Chicago can do about it. Which leads us into the draft aspect of his delicate situation.

Should LaVine decide to leave town, it would mean a significant roster overhaul considering that LaVine is the crown jewel of what the Bulls are trying to build. As such, making that draft selection, instead of shipping it off, becomes all the more crucial.

(It does need to be noted that any potential trade of Chicago’s pick would have to occur after the start of free agency given that the Bulls relinquished their first-round selection last year to the Orlando Magic, who picked Franz Wagner 8th overall.)

So what type of player should the Bulls target in the draft? It would behoove them to find a player who should be able to contribute immediately – in case LaVine returns – but also be a solid piece for the long-term, should LaVine leave.

A name that fits that description is LSU forward Tari Eason, one of the most productive players in all of college basketball this season.

In the spirit of full transparency, Eason could be selected much higher than where the Bulls are picking. While some mock drafts have him outside the lottery, there’s enough upside attached to his game that he easily could be off the board before the conclusion of the lottery.

Eason’s fit with Chicago

It’s no secret the Bulls need another combo forward who can defend, rebound, and contribute offensively. Eason fits that level of need almost too perfectly given that he collected 100 combined steals and blocks (64 & 36 respectively) in just 806 played minutes. That production isn’t atypical for him, as he gathered 56 the year before, while at Cincinnati, in just 451 minutes.

For those keeping score at home, that’s 156 stocks (steals and blocks) in 1,257 career minutes in the NCAA.

Eason, with the right grooming, could become a highly switchable defensive nightmare for opposing teams, especially when paired with Chicago’s current long-term project Patrick Williams, who at this point is a better defender on the interior than he is on the perimeter.

Eason’s ability to force turnovers, combined with Williams’ ability to run the floor at 6’8 and 235 pounds would inject some much-needed energy into the forward positions, which lacked this season.

Eason would also become an asset on the glass, where Chicago could also use some assistance. The 6’8 “wing big”, who sports a near 7’3 wingspan, grabbed 6.3 rebounds per game during his college career, which is impressive considering that he played just 24.4 minutes per night. That level of per-minute rebounding production would be a welcomed addition to Chicago’s rotation.

Offensively, Eason led LSU in scoring at 16.9 points despite coming off the bench for 29 of his 33 games this year. While his per-minute point production of 27.7 points per game per 40 minutes is tremendous, Eason isn’t a natural shot-maker from the perimeter. He is however a superbly athletic forward who can attack the rim ferociously, and draws a ton of free throws. His 188 free throw attempts ranked third in the SEC, with the two players ahead of him (Scotty Pippen Jr. and Quenton Jackson) playing both more minutes and more games on the season.

The Bulls ended the season ranking 17th in free throw attempts, 23rd in steals, 25th in blocks, and 28th in rebounding. Eason should help improve those numbers, especially considering the lack of a backup to Williams at the four position. It would be entirely realistic that his athleticism, and overall production, is exactly what the Bulls are looking for right now.

Is Eason a finished product? Not by a long shot. The 20-year-old needs to sort out his offensive game, cut down on fouls and turnovers, and straighten out a jumpshot that has him releasing the ball over his right shoulder. Furthermore, he needs to develop his left hand substantially, and will likely spend the first few years in the NBA playing off of creators, as opposed to handle those responsibilities himself.

There’s a lot left for him to do, but the foundation of which his game is built could help push Chicago along, and by a not insignificant margin. Both with, or without, the services of Zach LaVine.