The report suggests the Chicago Bulls can use a playmaker like Elfrid Payton

The Bulls need another table-setter.

© Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls are noticeably playing better these days, but there’s still a lot of room for improvement. One area the front office can focus on is playmaking, as the Bulls rank 29th in the league in assists per game with 23.7, 24th in assist percentage, and 30th in assist-to-pass percentage. One player Bleacher Report has identified as somebody who could help raise those meager numbers is 29-year-old point guard Elfrid Payton.

Legitimate table setter

Once the high lottery pick of the Philadelphia 76ers in 2014, Payton has become a journeyman trying to keep his NBA dream alive while playing for the Indiana Mad Ants in the G League. At only 29 years old, he still has a lot of games left and could be a legitimate playmaker for the Bulls.

“While they have a decent number of secondary playmakers, they don't have anyone who would count table-setting as their signature offensive skill. Adding Elfrid Payton would change that. The one-time lottery pick posted a robust 7.7 assists (against just 2.9 turnovers) per 36 minutes across his eight NBA seasons,” Zach Buckley wrote.

Elfrid Payton, back in New York

Payton and his Fort Wayne Mad Ants fell to the Long Island Nets tonight at Nassau Coliseum

Elf is averaging 14.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6 assists in his first 4 games for the Pacers G League affiliate pic.twitter.com/qoZ1NHPM4r

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) February 23, 2023

Can help the Bulls

Coby White may be balling right now, but the depth behind him remains thin. Chicago has Jevon Carter backing White up, but the tenacious guard’s best assets are spot-up shooting and on-ball defense, not playmaking. Payton’s ability to constantly look for his teammates can help free White up for more open looks.

“His blend of distributing and defense could appeal to Chicago given how many score-first contributors it already has,” Buckley added.

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