With teams having splurged on big-name free agents and their players, teams with thoughts of contending for an NBA title are now looking to fill out their roster with veteran role players. Reggie Bullock is one such player who is still on the open market and garnering a lot of attention.
It seems like Bullock has been on this specialty list for the past few years. For good reasons, the 6-6 wing is one of the best 3-and-D role players in the league. He has good size, drains 1.6 treys a game at a 38.5% clip, and is a shutdown perimeter defender.
According to The Athletic’s Kelly Iko, the Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Denver Nuggets are interested in signing Bullock. Iko said that Bullock could be had for the league veteran minimum, which would probably be around $3 million for a player with his experience.
Iko added that Bullock expects more teams to “get involved” as free agency continues. So, expect Bullock to take his time to decide on his next stop. He has played on seven teams in 11 seasons.
4 Teams Pursuing Veteran 3-and-D Wing
Bullock is coming off one of his worst seasons ever. The 32-year-old averaged 2.2 points and 1.7 rebounds in 10 minutes of action over 44 appearances for the Houston Rockets this past season. He did shoot 40.3% from deep in limited opportunities. He scored in double-figures just once last season.
While his lack of production with the Rockets may seem problematic, Bullock’s sudden decline had more to do with his limited playing time than a decrease in ability. The Rockets had a host of wing options on the roster this past season, and they were more concerned with development than results. So, Bullock was buried on the bench.
Bullock was a key part of Dallas’ rotation in 2022-23, starting 55 contests. Before this past season, he had regularly contributed to his team since 2017-18.
Looking At The 4 Teams Who Are Showing Interest In Bullock
Phoenix Suns
Phoenix has done little during the first couple of days of free agency. The Suns have re-signed Royce O’Neale and Bol Bol. They have 11 players, including unsigned first-round pick Ryan Dunn, in the fold for 2023-24, with salaries totaling $211.2 million.
Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia had the most salary cap space in the NBA league this summer, and the 76ers have been aggressive. The Sixers have agreed to a massive contract extension with Tyrese Maxey (though it won’t be official until after the Sixers use all their cap space) and signed Paul George to a max contract. They also have agreed to terms with Kelly Oubre Jr., Andre Drummond, and Eric Gordon.
Philadelphia has nine players under contract, counting Maxey, with salaries putting the 76ers well over the cap.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers had many moving parts this offseason and lost George to the Sixers and a few other free agents. The Clippers re-signed James Harden and brought in Derrick Jones Jr., Nicolas Batum, and Kevin Porter Jr.
They could still make a few moves and are reportedly looking to trade Russell Westbrook. The Clips have 13 players under contract, and their salaries total $167 million.
Denver Nuggets
Denver lost a key piece to their 2022-23 championship team when Kentavious Caldwell-Pope signed with Orlando. The Nuggets re-signed DeAndre Jordan but nothing else besides drafting DaRon Holmes in the first round. They have 12 players under contract, including Holmes, who remains unsigned and appears headed to surpass the first tax apron.
