In this edition of our NBA off-season previews, we look at the Chicago Bulls, a team that is leaning towards tanking for the first time in a while.
The Chicago Bulls floated in mediocrity for the three seasons of the 'Big 3' of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic. There was a brief moment of excitement at the start of the 2021-22 season for the Bulls, but now between Lonzo Ball's injuries, Zach LaVine's terrible mega-deal, and Angel Reese's stat-padding, Chicago Basketball is in for a rough spot for a few years to come.
What Went Wrong
Chicago's Long Battle with Injury Issues to Point Guards
The Bulls were a better team with Lonzo Ball on the floor. There are plenty of on/off stats that show that. But it can be as simple aswith this. With Lonzo on the floor in his first season in Chicago, the Bulls started 27-13, were in conversations of the best team in the East, and were on pace for close to 60 wins. After Lonzo went down the Bulls finished that year 18-23 as the sixth seed.
The question remains the same. Will Lonzo be able to get back on the court for the Bulls? If he is able to, with the roster that is considerably different, will it be worth it to keep him on the roster? Or, would it make more sense to let him build some value and then trade him to continue the rebuild? With whatever happens, there are more questions than answers around what seemed to be the point guard of the future as soon as two years ago.
The Zach LaVine Contract
The Bulls have made it clear they would love to trade their All-Star Guard this offseason. The other 29 teams have made it clear they do not want to pick up that contract.
Coming off a season where LaVine only played 25 games for the Bulls with a massive $138 million dollars remaining over his last three years on his deal, there are not any suitors that are willing to trade assets for the former 2x dunk contest champ.
If the Bulls are going to want to get off LaVine, it seems they will be the ones including assets, which is not something a rebuilding team looks to do. It may be best to let him rebuild some value after his injury and then see what the deadline holds. But it certainly feels like Chicago has pigeonholed themselves in this deal.
What Went Right
Coby White is the Point Guard of the Future
White felt like a player without a clear-cut role with guys like Caruso, Ball, and LaVine on the roster. But after injuries to Lonzo and LaVine, Coby White got the opportunity to flourish last year, and flourish he did. Averaging 19 points a game and 5 assists on 45% from the field and close to 38% from three-point range, White saw a well deserved second place finish for Most Improved Player.
Enter Josh Giddey. Giddey is familiar playing with a guard who can create both on-ball and off as he spent his first three years with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. I'm not saying Coby White will blossom into the MVP candidate that SGA is, but there is hope for Bulls fans that playing next to Giddey furthers the development of their star of the future.
Matas Buzelis was Risky at Pick 12, but May Prove Worth It
Back in October of 2023, Buzelis was seen as a worthy candidate for the number one overall pick. Injuries delayed his growth in the G-League Ignite squad, but his skillset and frame kept him in lottery conversations.
Flash forward to his NBA Summer League debut on July 13th. Buzelis scored 15 points on 15 shots while missing all of his three-point attempts. With efficiency and his shot being questioned throughout the draft process, maybe he will grow into that at the NBA level. On the flip side, however, Buzelis showed aggressiveness in attacking closeouts and his ability to get to the free throw line was on display as well, shooting five attempts in the first quarter alone.
While there are questions, taking a number one pick candidate at twelve is the correct swing for a team like the Bulls that just need talent next year. Buzelis will have plenty of opportunity with this Chicago squad, and with opportunity comes growth, and if he does not grow and the pick at 12 looks worse because of it, well there is always hope to win the #PoopforCoop Lottery next year, giving the Bulls the chance to continue stockpiling young talent that is long and athletic.
What Lies Ahead
Chicago is tearing it down to its studs, and if you ask Bulls fans, there feels to be a level of excitement that they are a ship with a sail under hated Owner Jerry Reinsdorf.
With the trade of DeRozan came Chris Duarte, a former Second-Team All-Rookie Member. Up next on the trade block is Nikola Vucevic, who should have some suitors looking for a starting caliber big man who can stretch the floor.
This Bulls team next year will not be contending for a playoff spot, but it will have young exciting talent for the first time since the early Rose-Noah years. With guys like Giddey, White, Ayo, and newly re-signed Patrick Williams the team will be faster, more athletic and a pain to play on a night-to-night basis.
Chicago Bulls basketball may not be contending for playoffs or titles any time soon, but for the first time in five years, this team has a direction and Bulls fans should be excited about that if nothing else.
Stay Safe Folks
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