Perimeter Defense
Bullock is no by means an elite defender, but he can certainly be an improvement defensively for the Blazers. Currently, opposing players are shooting a lower percentage from three when defended by Bullock as opposed to Harkless. Keep in mind that Bullock is averaging 12.3 points per game which is higher than any forward currently on Portland’s roster.
Standing at 6’7″ with a 6″10″ wingspan, Bullock has the size to match up with multiple positions and has shown flashes of defensive brilliance. He defended DeMar DeRozan for 34 possessions and allowed him to score only five points on 2-6 shooting earlier this season. Bullock also defended Andrew Wiggins for 32 possessions earlier this season and held him to three points on 1-6 shooting.
Nevertheless, it is hard to gauge Bullock defensively. He has the size and the instincts, but his role in Detroit has been primarily to space the floor for Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin. Stanley Johnson will often take the harder defensive assignment and Bullock will focus on the offensive side of the ball. Maybe a change of scenery could help him further develop as a defender. The pressure to space the floor would not solely fall on Bullock in Portland with Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, Seth Curry, and several other capable shooters on the roster, so Bullock would hypothetically be able to exert more energy on the defensive side of the ball.