Despite having four players who can run the point on their roster, the Bulls are reportedly looking to deal for Magic point guard Shabazz Napier.
The second-year guard has drawn the Bulls’ interest, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical.
Chicago and Orlando are discussing a deal for Shabazz Napier, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 18, 2016
In 95 games—10 starts—over the past two seasons with the Magic and Heat, Napier is averaging 4.6 points and 2.3 assists.
With a glut of point guards and injuries in the front court, it seems odd the Bulls would be showing interest in a seldom-used, 6-1, 170-pound point guard at the trade deadline.
Could this be why?
When Fred Hoiberg was coaching at Iowa State, it was Napier’s UConn team that knocked off the Cyclones in the Sweet 16 in 2014. Here’s what Hoiberg said about Napier at the time:
“This [UConn team] is obviously Napier’s team. [Ryan] Boatright can score in bunches. … Those two guards are as good as we’ll play against all year in terms of playmaking, breaking the defense down off the dribble, creating for themselves and teammates. Their shooting numbers are off the charts, they have guys who can hit from outside if you help out on penetration, it’s a difficult assignment for anybody. And Napier, when you face somebody who can absolutely take over a game at any moment, that’s a tough prep for anybody.”
Connecticut went on to win the NCAA Tournament and Napier was named MVP.
When LeBron James was still with the Heat, he lobbied for Miami to get Napier, and they did. The Hornets drafted Napier with the 24th pick, but traded him a day later to the Heat for P.J. Hairston and Semaj Christon. After one season, the Heat traded Napier to the Magic for a second-round draft pick.
