Paul

Zipser

Zipser was waived by Chicago a while back and didn’t receive much interest during free agency, so he’ll take his talents overseas.

The 22-year-old has three years of professional experience, but only played in a combined 33 games. Last year, Zipser played 17.9 minutes per game, averaging 6.7 points, 3.6 boards, 1.3 assists, 0.7 blocks, 0.4 steals and 0.7 treys. The German prospect did turn some heads at Adidas Eurocamp this summer. He really only has second-unit upside with a decent floor at 6’8". Per Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress, Zipser is expected to join the Bulls for the 2016-17 campaign. However, per K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune, Zipser is not expected to play in summer league due to a commitment with the German national team.

Zipser was the No. 48 overall selection in the 2016 draft, and this two-year deal is likely only partially guaranteed. He’s not going to be a fantasy factor during his rookie season.

He went off on Friday with 18 points, five rebounds, two assists, one turnover and two 3-pointers. With the Bulls resting most of their starters, Zipser could be sneaky in preseason DFS.

The Bulls do not have Jimmy Butler (illness) or Nikola Mirotic (illness) for this game, so coach Fred Hoiberg will stick with Doug McDermott in the second unit. Zipser has played a grand total of 57 minutes and has somehow made just 1-of-16 from the field. It would take a little slice of crazy to roll with Zipser in DFS.

Butler, Nikola Mirotic and Denzel Valentine were all out with the flu, but will be back soon. And when it happens, Zipser should go back to obscurity on the bench, if not the D League.

“He works hard. He just does his job,” Wade said of Zipser. “You look at his body and he’s strong. He’s just being consistent. He got his opportunity a few games back and he has all the confidence in the world in himself.” The forward is averaging 8.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.3 triples over his last four games, and with Nikola Mirotic on the trade block, he could be more involved down the stretch. With that said, he has very little upside in fantasy.

There was some talk earlier this week that Zipser might get some minutes off the Bulls bench. However, he only got into Friday’s game, a game in which the Bulls lost by 26 points. Zipser can be left on waiver wires.

It was a bit of a shock to see Hoiberg close with Zipser on Thursday night over guys like Doug McDermott. “The fact that he didn’t back down from the challenge of guarding Carmelo Anthony says a lot about Paul,” Hoiberg said. “You see some of his versatility. He has a bright future.” Obviously we can’t trust Zipser just yet, but don’t be surprised if he’s in the rotation again on Saturday. He could likely start if Jimmy Butler (illness) is out again.

He’s not going to be in the rotation for the foreseeable future.