June 29, 2018

Paul Zipser
SF – 6’8, 226lbs - 24 years old – 2 years of experience

Unfortunately for Paul Zipser, all the decent-enough late-season minutes he had as a rookie have gone. He was once the useful fifth-option, opportunity-scoring player alongside a strong interior defensive pairing of Taj Gibson and Robin Lopez, and a capable shooter alongside the ball dominance of Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo and Jimmy Butler. But as those players have left, so has Zipser’s effectiveness.

Jump shots usually get better throughout a player’s career. Zipser’s hasn’t. His three-point stroke stayed the same (33.6% this season, 33.3% last season), while his overall scoring efficiency (which was never good, considering his lack of explosion to the rim and mediocre shooting) nosedived badly. Combined with his general lack of speed, transition, creativity and explosion – during the Bulls’ very turgid offensive start to the season, watching Zipser try to create off the dribble was a particularly low point – it is hard to find a place for Zipser in any offensive unit. It would be OK if he was a particularly excellent rebounder and/or defender who could at least add back the value elsewhere. But he isn’t.

Getting a foot injury that required surgery at season’s end did not help, either. At this point, with the lack of credentials behind him, limited upside, injuries, roster crunch and guaranteed contract against him, it is hard to see Zipser having a future with the Bulls. Maybe a better team who can hide his deficiencies among better teammates could have more luck.

Or maybe he should try and go wherever Rondo goes.

Player Plan: Two years of unguaranteed minimum salary remaining. Keep him for the deep bench if they really do see something worth continuing to invest yet, but this seems unlikely.

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June 29, 2017

Paul Zipser
SF, 6’8, 215lbs, 23 years old, 1 year of experience

A decent end to the season after being a non-factor to begin with, Zipser had some success spotting up from the corners and driving on slower power forwards, while defending slower forwards and bigs such as himself pretty effectively for a rookie. He has some athleticism with a running start, too, although laterally he is exposable on the perimeter. Zipser is signed long term and played his way into the rotation towards the end of the season; then again, with the rotation having been as variable as it has over the last two seasons, maybe Valentine or Lauvergne will soon take him out of it again.

Player Plan: Three minimum salary seasons remaining, the most immediate of which is guaranteed. His ability to keep up with the pace of the NBA game is a legitimate question, but there is no reason to cut ties for now.

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