Options for Bulls offseason
Image Courtesy of Forbes.com
The Chicago Bulls returned to the NBA Playoffs for the first time since the 2016-17 campaign, but were quickly eliminated by the defending Champion Milwaukee Bucks in five games in the first round. Before the 2021-22 season, the Bulls had an impressive offseason to bolster their lineup. In August 2021, the Bulls made two key offseason aquations to support Zach Lavine, who had been their only weapon for several years. On Aug. 2, the Bulls acquired Lonzo Ball, along with his 4-year $80 million contract, from the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Tomáš Satoranský, Garrett Temple, and a second-round pick. Then a few days later on Aug. 11, the Bulls traded for DeMar DeRozan from the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for Thaddeus Young, Al-Farouq Aminu, a protected first-round Draft pick, and two second-round draft picks. The Bulls also added Alex Caruso from the Lakers on a four- year $37 million deal. The Bulls seemed to be a team that was going all in to win their seventh title in franchise history and their first since 1998 when a guy named Michael Jordan led them to their third three-peat of the decade. To Bulls fans that seems like a lifetime ago.
In 2017, the Bulls snuck into the postseason as the eighth seed but were rewarded by having a date with the number one seeded Boston Celtics. But it was the Bulls who seemed fearless going into TD Garden stealing games one and two, until ultimately dropping the final four games. In 2022, the Bulls, much like in 2017, were no match against their opponent who was favored to win the series. This time that proved to be the case right off the bat. With the Bulls being eliminated pretty quickly by the Milwaukee Bucks there are now questions surrounding what direction the Bulls will take in the offseason.
Keep the core.
In the early stages of the season the Bulls seemed to be a team that could contend for the title come June, but quickly fell drastically in the standings from being the number one seed to eventually finishing sixth in the Eastern Conference respectively. Injuries did hurt the Bulls along the way, but even when mostly healthy the Bulls still couldn’t advance in the playoffs. So, one option is to keep the core that they have. Zach Lavine has been the primary for the whole team before all the aquations this past season. DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso were nice offensive additions to the line up to support Lavine, as well as Nikola Vucevic having a big year especially in the postseason, and Lonzo Ball was a nice add on the defensive side. Those four players played pretty well in the early part of the season but injuries most likely held the Bulls back from their full potential. Maybe a little offseason practice will build more chemistry and build stamina for this team.
Trade Someone.
Even if the Bulls decide to trade one of the players mentioned in the last section, they most likely keep most of the starting rotation. If anyone is to be traded, it most likely will be Zach Lavine. Lavine could be eyed by some teams as a great addition to teams like Philadelphia 76ers or the Miami Heat. He would bring in a couple of developing players as well as a first-round pick or two. This was the first year he wasn’t THE guy on the team and I don’t think he wants to go back to that, meaning going to a team like the Orlando Magic, Sacramento Kings or Indianapolis Pacers. Whichever route the Bulls take come free-agency could be beneficial for them if they can stay healthy next season. Whatever happens not only does it have to make sense but the return on investment must have a good outcome. As in a deep playoff run and maybe even a Finals appearance.
