The Chicago Bulls are entering a new season, which has raised questions that need to be answered. The decision to run it back with the same team has made fans question the front office.
Their free agency signings this past summer were Torry Craig from the Phoenix Suns and Jevon Carter from Milwaukee, which also left fans with questions about their recruitment.
Familiar faces were brought back to the team this summer— center Nikola Vucevic agreed to a contract extension with the team and shooting guard Coby White. Hopefully, they can start strong as they did in the beginning of the 2021/22 season with Lonzo Ball. If they start the season playing poorly together, changes will need to be made.
This season will define the future of Chicago. The Bulls are running it back with their “big three” of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, and of course, Lonzo Ball. This core was successful when it first was formed in the 2021/22 season.
They ended the season with a 46-36 record, finishing 6th in the Eastern Conference, and booking a playoff spot. Chicago ultimately got eliminated by Milwaukee in the first round of the playoffs.
Billy Donovan’s team ended the last season with a 40-42 record, losing to the Miami Heat in the Play-in-tournament. Chicago hopes they can play better basketball this season with their current team.
Chicago is in the middle when it comes to NBA teams. There are two roads that teams choose each season; picking the championship route or the rebuilding route.
The championship route is building a team to compete for a title, including trades that make an impact and signing quality free agent signings. On the other hand is the rebuilding route, which means Chicago blowing the team up and trading their star players for young assets and draft capital.
With DeMar DeRozan, 34, entering the final year of his deal, Chicago will have to figure out how to deal with him at the February deadline, depending on whether they have a losing season. If they have a winning season, they will consider keeping him and re-signing him next summer.
Bulls guard Zach LaVine recently agreed to a maximum contract extension in the summer of 2022, and he could also be shipped for valuable assets. Vucevic is also up there with players that could be traded, during the February deadline, or next summer’s off-season.
Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball is the next topic of discussion, with many wondering what the future holds for him as a member of the Bulls
Ball has not suited up for the Bulls since Jan. 14, 2022, against the Golden State Warriors.
His initial injury was reported as a meniscus tear, due to which he would miss 6-8 weeks (USA Today).
It became a 2-year injury, and he is set to miss yet another season. Lonzo confirmed this on Trae Young’s podcast, “From the Point by Trae Young.”
“Just taking it day by day, bro. I just had a really big surgery — hopefully, the last one I ever have to get. It’s a long process. I’m already out this whole next season,” Ball said on the podcast. “When I first got hurt, we didn’t know what it was. I was seeing all types of different doctors and stuff.”
It will be interesting to see what decision the Bulls office makes on Lonzo Ball who is entering the 3rd year of the 4 four-year contract he signed back in 2021. Should they potentially trade Lonzo? We will have to see.
Zach LaVine has been in talks, making fans wonder if he is the man to take the Bulls to the next level. As stated earlier, he is signed for a long term until 2027, which makes him the longest-tenured and signed player out of Vucevic and DeRozan.
LaVine averaged 24.8 points per game last season with shooting splits of 49/38/85. DeRozan is Chicago’s number 1 option on offense, but is 34 and has a contract expiring.
Zach will have to take over as the number one option for Billy Donovan’s team if he wants to elevate the way he plays. He needs to become the leader of this team. If he happens to do this, Chicago could be in the run for a playoff spot. All Bulls fans will have an eye on him this upcoming season.