The Chicago Bulls are looking at Max Strus as one possible answer to a problem that has followed them for years: they just haven’t had enough shooting.
That issue only got louder after the draft. Chicago came away with two premier athletes in Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain, but not the kind of perimeter help that would ease the pressure on the roster.
That left plenty of frustration around the way the draft played out, especially since Arturas Karnisovas never did enough to load up on shooters in the first place. Now, with free agency approaching, it sounds like the Bulls already have a plan to attack the weakness.
One path is already out there. Chicago has been linked to veteran guard Norman Powell, who is leaving Miami after an All-Star season.
He would bring more offensive punch right away. Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times backed up that report and added another name to the mix: Strus, with Cowley saying the Bulls have engaged the Cleveland Cavaliers on a trade for the sharpshooter.
Strus, a Hickory Hills, Illinois native, has long wanted to play for the team he grew up rooting for.
Strus makes sense for what Chicago needs. He is not the kind of player who will create a ton off the dribble or run an offense, but he does bring energy, rebounding, defensive effort and real shooting.
Over the last two seasons, he has knocked down more than 38% of his three-pointers. That kind of floor spacing would give the Bulls more room to work with, and it would also make their rotations easier to manage if he comes off the bench.
He fits the profile Bryson Graham seems to want on this roster, and the motivation angle is obvious too.
That also lines up with what Graham hinted at after the draft. His plan is to stockpile future assets, and one way to do that is by taking on bigger contracts from teams that need to shed salary.
Cleveland fits that description, which is why moving Strus is said to be a necessity for the Cavaliers. From Chicago’s side, the fit is straightforward enough that a deal does not feel far-fetched.
A package of two second-round picks and Strus taking on that contract is one possible framework.
It would not be a flashy move, but it would be a useful one.
That seems to be the direction here. The Bulls are building around their young core and trying to cover up the weak spots around it.
They already addressed rim protection with the Nic Claxton trade. Adding Strus would fill the other major need by bringing in more shooting from the perimeter.
No, it would not suddenly turn Chicago into a contender. But it would make the roster look more functional, and that matters.
The bigger goal now is not chasing the bottom of the standings, especially with the new tanking rules. Finishing in the #4 to #10 range in the lottery is the sweet spot, and a move like this could help keep that within reach.
How much better it gets from there will depend on the rookies, but the Bulls at least appear to have a clear plan. More should come into focus in the next few days.
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