Bulls' Cristiano Felicio's NBA future will be on the line in contract year

Share

NBC Sports Chicago is breaking down the 15 full-time players on the Bulls' roster. Last up: Cristiano Felicio.

Past: Zach LaVine | Coby White | Tomas Satoransky | Kris Dunn | Ryan Arcidiacono | Otto Porter Jr. | Chandler Hutchison | Denzel Valentine | Shaq Harrison | Thad Young | Lauri Markkanen | Wendell Carter Jr. | Daniel Gafford | Luke Kornet

2019-20 Stats

3.9 PPG, 4.6 RPG (2.5 ORB/g), 0.5 SPG | 63% FG, N/A 3P, 78.3% FT | 8.8% USG (22 G)

Contract Breakdown

Age: 27

July 2017: Signed 4-year, $32,000,000 contract

2020-21: $7,529,020 | 2021-22: UFA

Strengths

Despite being the fifth-highest paid player on the Bulls’ roster, Felicio didn’t get much run this year, and even saw some time with G League affiliate Windy City. Injuries saw him jump into the big-league rotation with the season careening off the rails. The team is pretty clearly running the clock out on the misguided four-year, $32 million contract signed three offseasons ago.

Click to download the MyTeams App for the latest Bulls news and analysis.

As far as strengths go: When Felicio did play, he was a solid screen-setter, and had his moments on the offensive glass — his 2.5 offensive rebounds per game average translated to 5.1 per 36 minutes. In his best game of the season, a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Jan. 22, he snared seven to pair with 12 points on 5-for-6 field goal shooting.

Areas to Improve

Felicio’s worst moments come amid lapses in situational awareness and decision-making. Everyone remembers when, deep into the fourth quarter of a close contest against the Washington Wizards in April 2019, he ran into an ongoing play late and accidentally knocked over Walt Lemon Jr. This season — in the spirit of interchangeability — the Bulls ran some offense through him on handoffs and from the elbows, mostly to unfortunate results. He’s not an adept distributor or pass-catcher, and is wont to clumsy turnovers — from fumbled balls to shuffled sneakers. The above attributes translate to the defensive end, as well.

His offensive game hasn’t expanded beyond the restricted area, and even in the paint his touch is suspect. He blocked two shots all year. That aforementioned four-year contract was predicated on potential that never panned out.

Ceiling Projection

Entering a contract year, the focus should be on finding a way to stay in the league as a reserve big when his current deal expires. Unfortunately, his best NBA years very well could be behind him.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLS TALK PODCAST FOR FREE.

Contact Us