The Chicago Bulls are a team that had a mixed season during the 2021-22 season. They made the playoffs for the first time since the 2016-17 season this past year, and there’s no doubt that their season was an overall success.
- The Chicago Bulls Have A Well-Rounded Squad
- The Most Realistic Roster For The Chicago Bulls
- The Chicago Bulls Could Surprise Everyone With How Good They Are
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However, the team definitely had some issues last year. They were decimated by injuries, and their record against other elite teams was not great. There are clearly some question marks about the health and talent level of the Chicago Bulls roster going into next season.
In this article, we will try to predict the most realistic starting lineup and roster for the Chicago Bulls next season. They have a solid squad, and they could potentially surprise many with their level of play.
The Chicago Bulls Have A Well-Rounded Squad
The Chicago Bulls’ main move of the summer was re-signing Zach LaVine to a five-year $215.2 million deal. It is clear that the Chicago Bulls view him as the future of the franchise. Even if LaVine isn’t the best player on the team currently, due to DeMar DeRozan’s presence, he could potentially get there if he continues developing as an overall player. LaVine is already a capable three-level scorer, but for him to reach the next level, he will have to improve on the defensive end and affect the game with his playmaking.
DeMar DeRozan is clearly the best player on the Chicago Bulls currently, and at one point during the 2021-22 season, he was an MVP candidate. He is a master of scoring from the midrange area and an elite playmaker for a forward. There’s no question that he is capable of carrying a team’s offensive load during the regular season. However, he has faltered in the playoffs in the past, which could be a concern for the team going forward.
The Chicago Bulls have a solid supporting cast around their stars, with elite defensive players such as Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso and a solid offensive big man in Nikola Vucevic. They also have some solid young up-and-coming talents, such as Patrick Williams and Ayo Dosunmu. The team is in a good position for both the now and the future, and if their young talents develop, they could have a scary high ceiling.
The Most Realistic Roster For The Chicago Bulls
Starting Lineup: Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Patrick Williams, Nikola Vucevic
The Best Bench Players: Alex Caruso, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Derrick Jones Jr., Andre Drummond
The starting lineup for the Chicago Bulls seems fairly straightforward. Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan will start at the SG and SF position, and they make up one of the best wing duos in the league. Nikola Vucevic is the best center on the roster, so he gets a starting spot as well. His spacing will be crucial to help DeMar DeRozan thrive offensively, and his post-up game can be useful when Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan are both having poor offensive nights. Patrick Williams is an elite defensive PF who can guard multiple positions, so his starting is a certainty.
The point guard position is interesting. Obviously, Lonzo Ball will likely start for the team when he’s healthy. However, it was reported that his availability for the start of the season was in doubt earlier this summer, and someone might have to start in his place while he recovers. Alex Caruso could potentially provide defense at that position, while Coby White could hypothetically be a scorer.
The best option, however, is likely Ayo Dosunmu, who can play and defend a multitude of positions. Dosunmu provides some two-way play and has a versatile offensive skill set. He will likely play heavy minutes off the bench regardless, and Ayo Dosunmu is the no-brainer option to start for Lonzo Ball. Switching one versatile jumbo guard for another seems to be the easiest transition for the Bulls.
The bench is definitely one that is more defensively oriented, with Derrick Jones Jr., Alex Caruso, and Ayo Dosunmu making a fearsome defensive unit. The main scorer off the bench will likely be Coby White, and his shot creation will help them stay afloat offensively. Andre Drummond will provide the rebounding and rim finishing necessary.
Overall, the Chicago Bulls are a deep team that has good offensive and defensive players. It remains to be seen how it all comes together, but the talent is absolutely there.
The Chicago Bulls Could Surprise Everyone With How Good They Are
The biggest problem with the Chicago Bulls is that they don’t have a true superstar-level player on their roster. That is what is preventing them from being put in the contender category. They don’t have the same star power as the Milwaukee Bucks, the Boston Celtics, or the Brooklyn Nets. All of those teams have a top-10 player on their roster, and having a superstar generally means a team has a better chance of winning a championship, as star power generally wins out in the playoffs.
With that being said, there are definitely some benefits to having a well-balanced team that has some All-NBA caliber players running the offense. The Chicago Bulls are a team that is capable of playing the right way with some players who can create their own shot in late-game situations. They are solidly a playoff-level team who could potentially win a series or two if they get lucky.
Obviously, the team’s situation will change if some of their players improve and develop. For example, if Zach LaVine becomes a true superstar-level scorer, then there’s no reason the team won’t be able to potentially get to the Finals. However, until that happens, it is quite likely that the Chicago Bulls will end up as a solid playoff team with an Eastern Conference Finals ceiling.
