Bulls player preview: Tony Snell

With training camp almost here, Nick Friedell previews every player on the Bulls roster.

Tony Snell

Age: 21 | Pos.: SG | Salary: $1,409,040

Role for Bulls in 2013-14: Like most rookies who come through the Bulls' system, Snell will face a steep learning curve under Tom Thibodeau. With Luol Deng, Jimmy Butler and Mike Dunleavy, Jr. already in the fold, it's more than likely that this becomes a redshirt year for Snell. He will be expected to work hard in practice and continue to develop his shot from the outside.

What happened this summer?: Snell impressed coaches in the Las Vegas Summer League by using his long and athletic frame to make plays. Like fellow rookie Erik Murphy, Snell spent a lot of time at the Berto Center working on his game in anticipation of his first full year in the NBA.

What does the future hold?: The Bulls are confident they found another solid draft pick in Snell. While he probably won't play much this year, many within the organization are high on his game and his work ethic.

"The thing we really liked about Tony is, first of all, he's got the tools you look for in a 2-guard," Bulls GM Gar Forman said on ESPN 1000's draft show. "In that he's 6-7½, he's got a seven-foot wing span. He's got terrific foot speed. He's a good, long, live athlete but, along with that, he can shoot the basketball and he's got a nice, fluid stroke. He shot 39 percent, almost 40 percent from 3. And he's got a skill level handling the ball and passing the ball. He can be a secondary handler; I think he'll be able to play off as he progresses, so all those things kind of stood out to us."

Bottom line: Snell is going to be sitting on the bench much of this year but if he continues to improve like Butler did over his first couple years the Bulls will be in good shape.