The Chicago Bulls have been one of the most active teams during this period of free agency so far. Before the end of the season, the Bulls executed a move that would form the basis of their activity in this free agency period.
During the trade deadline of the 2020-21 season, the Bulls brought in All-Star big man Nikola Vucevic to pair with fellow All-Star Zach LaVine. The Bulls still missed out on the playoffs, showing that the two needed more pieces around them to make a contending team in a loaded Eastern Conference.
And that is exactly what the Bulls have worked toward this time. The Bulls pulled off a sign-and-trade deal for Pelicans point guard Lonzo Ball, one of the biggest deals of day one of free agency. They also added depth to the point guard position by signing Lakers fan favorite guard and defensive specialist Alex Caruso on a three-year contract.
On day two, the Bulls also signed former All-Star DeMar DeRozan to a three-year contract. On paper, the Bulls have one of the strongest lineups in the NBA. This kind of roster depth is music to the ears of Chicago Bulls fans, but they have been waiting for a long time for a team like this.
Just a few years ago, the Bulls were putting out a very mediocre starting lineup. A starting lineup from a regular-season game featured Cameron Payne, Justin Holiday, Denzel Valentine, Paul Zipser, and Cristiano Felicio. The Bulls had a major struggle during the 2018-19 season, and they failed to reach the NBA Playoffs once again. The Bulls finished the season with the 13th seed (22-60 record) in the Eastern Conference. Their low seeding got them the 7th overall pick in the 2019 Draft, which they used to bring in Coby White.
The difference between their lineup from 2018 to their projected lineup to the 2021-22 season is incredible. And it just shows how quickly things can change for a franchise if the work is done right. The current projected Chicago Bulls starting lineup is a strong one: Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Patrick Williams, and Nikola Vucevic. Questions still surround what Chicago will do about their young prospects like Lauri Markkanen and Coby White. This effectively makes the Bulls one of the strongest teams in the Eastern Conference, with almost four potential All-Star players for the next season. Their potential starting lineup is very different now, with their bolstered squad.
