Bulls sign hometown product to two-way deal

David Banks - USA Today Sports

Dustin Riese - Senior Writer - Saturday, September 07 2024

With only one more roster spot technically available, the Chicago Bulls have been very careful about how they handle things. The open spot is a two-way deal, which would give someone an opportunity to play both on the NBA roster and the G-League.

Chicago has already brought in guys like Talen Horton-Tucker and Kenny Lofton Jr. as training camp bodies hoping to earn a roster spot, but they also have Adama Sanogo, who is guaranteed to have at least one of those two-way deals. Saturday saw the Bulls add another player with the hopes of earning a roster spot, and guess what? He is another Illinois Native, as EJ Liddell has come to terms with the Bulls.

Even if the season doesn't go as planned for this team, the Bulls are going to have an interesting training camp. They have filled it with Chicago-area guys hoping to make an impression on their hometown team. Of all the moves this team has made, this one may come with the most intrigue, especially when you look at what he has done across his career.

A three-year star for Ohio State, Liddell came into his own during his Sophomore and Junior seasons, emerging as one of the best players in the Big 10. Across his career, Liddell went on to average 14.1 PPG while hauling in 6.1 RPG. That included a two-year run where he averaged 17.7 PPG and 7.4 RPG.

His best season came during his Junior year when he put OSU on his back during the second half of the season. In that season, Liddell averaged a career-high 19.4 PPG and 7.9 RPG as he found himself in the running for the Big 10 player of the year. That alone made him one of the more intriguing prospects of the 2023 draft class as New Orleans took him in the second round and No. 41 overall.

It was a massive surprise that he fell that far, let alone the second round and many experts felt he could be the steal of the draft. Then came the reality that he would miss his entire rookie season with a torn ACL, forced to battle through adversity early.

Once he was healthy, Liddell had a brief opportunity to showcase his skills at the NBA level, but most of his success came in the G-League. In his eight career NBA games, Liddell had a tough time seeing time on the court, averaging less than three minutes per game and 0.5 PPG. Knowing that many fans may be wondering what the point of bringing him into camp is.

Well, for starters, he gives the Bulls some size. His 6-7 240-pound frame is something the Bulls don't have a ton of, as he can play both the SF and PF positions. Second, his NBA numbers may not have been great, but you have to account for him coming back from a torn ACL and not being able to develop during his rookie season.

He used his second season as a developmental process and put on a show in the G-League. In his 40-plus games in the G-League, Liddell was a very efficient player, averaging 17.7 PPG and 7.8 RPG. He also averaged close to two blocks per game, putting his full arsenal on display.

Like most of his recent training camp bodies, Liddell has some upside. He is under 23 years old and gives the Bulls versatility across multiple positions on the floor. Of all the players in camp who have the potential to steal a roster spot, Liddell could have the best chance, along with Sanogo. Both play a similar style, both have had production, and both are versatile enough to move across the floor.

Liddell is known as a two-way player, which the Bulls need, and is someone capable of scoring when given the chance. Of the three training camp deals, Liddell may have the best option to stick long-term on this roster as he possesses the best three-point shot. Don't expect any more significant signings the rest of the way, but you could see another body or two brought into camp before all is said and done.