McDermott had the best game of his young career Tuesday, scoring 17 points (6-12 FG, 5-8 3Pt) with four rebounds and three assists in a blowout loss to the Hornets.

EDGE Analysis

McDermott got a season-high 30 minutes Tuesday and showed flashes of the type of player he can be for Chicago. He shot the ball with confidence, which isn't saying much considering there wasn't any pressure on him due to the scoreboard. Regardless, seeing five three-point shots fall is huge for McDermott and could gradually allow for more playing time.

McDermott had his third-year option exercised, the team announced Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The move secures McDermott under contract with the Bulls through the 2016-17 season. McDermott showed great improvement in his second year by averaging 16.6 points per game on 43.2 percent shooting from behind the arc in the preseason. The forward will look to build upon his successful preseason as he fights for more minutes off Chicago's bench.

McDermott will come off the bench for the Bulls to begin the season, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reports. "That's a role that I anticipate for Doug, is coming off the bench," Hoiberg said. "He has [played well]. I've liked [it]. It will be a good role for him."

EDGE Analysis

McDermott has received some run in the starting lineup during the preseason, but it appears coach Fred Hoiberg is leaning towards using Tony Snell in a starting role while Mike Dunleavy (lower back) remains sidelined through the first month of the regular season. The second-year forward has been a revelation during the Bulls' exhibition schedule, averaging 16.6 points per game while shooting an outstanding 43.2 percent from three-point land, which will likely earn him a key reserve role in 2015-16.

McDermott scored 16 points (6-11 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 0-1 FT) to go along with two rebounds and four assists in 25 minutes Saturday against the Timberwolves.

EDGE Analysis

McDermott continues to look better this preseason under new coach Fred Hoiberg and he should see increased playing time at the start of the season with Mike Dunleavy (back) out of action. If he gets extended minutes, he could be a valuable source for points and three-pointers.

McDermott scored 15 points (5-10 FG, 2-4 3PT) across 36 minutes while recording four rebounds and two assists in a preseason loss to the Nuggets on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

The 36 minutes sticks out like a sore thumb and it's clear their pushing the sophomore to get some experience under his belt. It's unclear what McDermott's role will be this season, but this minutes boost is encouraging for his prospects going forward. In any case it will be tough for him to crack a major role with the depth the Bulls have across the board.

McDermott came off the bench to net 23 points (8-19 FG, 5-11 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and five boards in 33 minutes of action during Tuesday's preseason win over the Bucks.

EDGE Analysis

McDermott's 23 points tied him with teammate Jimmy Butler as the game's leading scorer. Though he took a unleashed a high volume of shots, McDermott was at least efficient from three-point range, an encouraging sign after that was the main area where he struggled during the Las Vegas Summer League. With the Bulls replacing defensive-minded coach Tom Thibodeau behind the bench this season, McDermott should receive more opportunities to see the court in his sophomore campaign, especially while the similarly-skilled Mike Dunleavy remains sidelined by injury in the early portion of the year.

McDermott has added 10 pounds since the start of his rookie season and believes he can play power forward, NBA.com reports. McDermott is looking to build upon a rookie season marred by injury and lack of playing time. He's a weight room junkie now after barely squatting 50 pounds when entering the league. Through two summer league games, he's averaging a team-high 15.5 points and 3.0 rebounds in 32 minutes per game. The Bulls possess a stacked frontcourt, but if coach Hoiberg wants to play a spread offense, McDermott and Nikola Mirotic could see the fair share of minutes at power forward.

McDermott played in 36 games for the Bulls this season and averaged 3.0 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.4 three-pointers a game. McDermott didn't play much in his rookie season and shot only 31.7 percent from behind the arc. If the Bulls don't bring back Mike Dunleavy and don't bring in any other veteran shooters, McDermott could be in a larger role next season. Even if he does see increased playing time, he likely won't provide much fantasy value outside of three-pointers.

McDermott has not played in either of the Bulls first two playoff games against the Bucks. McDermott is buried on the Bulls bench and is unlikely to see much action in the playoffs even if he does appear in a game.

McDermott (back) will be available Friday against Detroit, according to coach Tom Thibodeau, ESPN Chicago's Nick Friedell reports. McDermott has missed four of the last five games with soreness in his lower back, but he took part in a full practice Thursday and has been cleared to return to the court Friday. That might not mean much, though, as McDermott has not been a major part of the rotation of late. He's played only 18 combined minutes in his last four games.