Former Hawks Forward Signs Deal With Chicago Bulls

Liddell was a part of the Hawks return in the Dejounte Murray Trade

Jul 12, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George (18) controls the ball against Atlanta Hawks forward E.J. Liddell (32) during the second half at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images / Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images

E.J. Liddell is a talented young forward who the Hawks acquired in the Dejounte Murray trade earlier this summer, but he did not stay a member of the Hawks for long. Liddell was traded to the Phoenix Suns for forward David Roddy, but Liddell was waived by Phoenix. According to Michael Scott at Hoopshype, Liddell is signing a deal with the Chicago Bulls today.

The Chicago Bulls have agreed to a deal with EJ Liddell, league sources told @hoopshype. Liddell, an Illinois native, played for the New Orleans Pelicans last season and was the No. 41 overall pick of the 2022 NBA Draft. pic.twitter.com/NmFyy6sTZA

— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) September 7, 2024

It was a curious move when the Hawks traded Liddell. He is a prospect that has shown some promise and Roddy is a more expensive (slightly) and arguably worse player to have. He is not going to play huge minutes barring injury, but you could make the case that the Hawks should not have made this trade.

Roddy appeared in 65 games (13 starts) during the 2023-24 season with Memphis (48 games) and Phoenix (17 games), averaging 6.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 18.1 minutes (.403 FG%, .691 FT%). He scored 10-or-more points in 18 games last season and pulled down a career-high tying 10 rebounds twice. In his 13 starts, Roddy tallied 11.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 29.9 minutes (.410 FG%, .667 FT%). In his second start of the season on Nov. 29 against Utah, the 6-5 forward netted a season-best 19 points, connecting on a career-high five triples, in a 105-91 win over the Jazz.

He most recently saw action in five games (all starts) with Phoenix at the NBA 2K25 Summer League, registering 14.8 points, 6.4 boards and 2.4 assists in 25.5 minutes (.458 FG%, .367 3FG%, .818 FT%).

Selected by Philadelphia with the 23rd overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Roddy’s draft rights were acquired by Memphis, along with Danny Green from the 76ers, in exchange for De’Anthony Melton. Roddy has seen action in 135 career games (17 starts), suiting up for Memphis and Phoenix, owning averages of 6.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 18.0 minutes (.416 FG%, .301 3FG%, .662 FT%). He has appeared in eight career postseason contests, notching 2.9 points and 2.1 rebounds in 9.9 minutes of play. Roddy has also seen action in four career NBA G League games with the Memphis Hustle, tallying 20.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 33.0 minutes.

Roddy enjoyed a three-year collegiate career at Colorado State from 2019-22. Over his three seasons, he appeared in 91 games (76 starts), averaging 15.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 29.9 minutes (.522 FG%, .319 3FG%, .739 FT%). In his final season at Colorado State, the Minneapolis, Minnesota, native was named the 2021-22 Mountain West Conference Player of the Year