NBC Sports Chicago is breaking down the 15 full-time players on the Bulls' roster. Next up is Ryan Arcidiacono.
Past: Zach LaVine | Coby White | Tomas Satoransky | Kris Dunn
2019-20 Stats
4.5 PPG, 1.7 APG, 0.5 SPG | 40.9% FG, 39.1% 3P, 71.1% FT | 12.1% USG
Contract Breakdown
Age: 26
July 2019: Signed 2-year, $6 million contract (plus $3 million team option for third year)
NBA
2020-21: $3,000,000 | 2021-22: $3,000,000 (team option)
(via Spotrac)
Strengths
A Jim Boylen favorite, Arcidiacono is the epitome of a hustle player. A number: In limited playing time, he currently ranks sixth in the NBA in charges drawn per game (0.33, min. 30 games). An anecdote: Arcidiacono’s signature play of the season was as grit and grind as you could imagine — down two with just under five seconds to play Nov. 23 in Charlotte, he helped deflect a ball out of Devonte’ Graham’s hands and to Zach LaVine, who retreated to the arc and icily drained his 13th 3-pointer of the night, sealing a comeback victory.
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Arch's shooting makes him viable in a deep bench role. He canned a career-high 39.1% of his 3s on 2.4 attempts per game (5.3 per 36 minutes) in 2019-20, shooting 43% on “wide open” 3-point looks and 38.9% in catch-and-shoot. He makes his open ones at an above-average clip, plays hard and takes care of the ball (his 2.59 AST/TO ratio is second on the Bulls). Tough to ask for more from a fourth or fifth guard.
Areas to Improve
Given his prescribed role, and at age 26, it would be tough to ask too much more from Arcidiacono. He’s never going to be an all-world defender, and as long as he’s not turning the ball over with overt regularity, his playmaking isn’t worth heavily scrutinizing. Him staying afloat in the league depends on staying healthy, staying active and settling in at around a 38-42% 3-point shooter on limited volume. That's how he made it this far since going undrafted in 2016 and starting with the Bulls on a two-way deal.
Ceiling Projection
Probably about where he is right now, provided, as mentioned above, his 3-point shooting percentage levels out around where it was in 2019-20. He’s not close to the top of the list of the Bulls’ problems, but if the new front office regime gets the rebuild back on track, he may not figure too prominently into their long-term plans. Something to consider: The $3 million club option on the third year of his current contract coincides with the summer of 2021, when the Bulls will likely want to have their books as clean as possible.