The NBA season has reached its stretch run.
Some teams are rounding into form for the playoffs, while others are lining up their trips to Cancun. For the Bulls, they are somewhere in the middle. They are sitting squarely in the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference.
The team that will finish the season is not the same as the one that started it. Injuries and trades have altered this Bulls team and left the organization with its sights set on the future.
With the playoffs right around the corner, the Bulls need to figure out what they are after the Zach LaVine trade. As a result of that trade, the Bulls now control their pick in this year’s NBA draft.
With their future back in control, the Bulls can go in several directions this offseason. As they wrap up the regular season and look to make a playoff run, the Bulls still have a few crucial questions that need answers before making any decisions.
What’s the most significant return you can get for Nikola Vucevic?
Before the trade deadline, the Bulls were actively shopping their starting center, Nikola Vucevic.
As different rumors surfaced, the deadline passed with the two-time all-star remaining in Chicago. The Bulls couldn’t pull the trigger on a deal this season, but with only one year remaining on his contract after this season, he should become a more movable asset.
The Bulls need to get the most they can in return for expediting their rebuild, as the 34-year-old does not fit the team’s timeline. More picks or young players that can grow with the young talent already on the roster should all be on the table.
What is Buzelis’s ceiling?
Early in the year, 20-year-old forward Matas Buzelis could barely find the court.
Through December, the rookie only averaged 13.1 minutes per game, but even in those limited chances, he would make plays that jumped off the screen. Whether it was a highlight block or flashes of his off-the-dribble shot-making, Buzelis would try to make the most of the opportunities given to him. Buzelis earned his first start in a Bulls uniform in February due to a Lonzo Ball knee injury. The start was merely a culmination of increased minutes since the beginning of the new year and improved play from the forward.
This stretch included a 24-point game against the Heat, during which he shot a perfect 10-of-10 from the field. Just how good Buzelis can be will be a significant factor in how fast the Bulls can get out of the East’s doldrums and back into relevancy.
Is Giddey a franchise cornerstone?
Josh Giddey has been playing his best basketball in a Bulls uniform since the middle of January.
Since Jan. 20, Giddey has averaged almost 18 points while grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out nearly seven assists per game. He has also upped his defensive effort and gotten fans excited to see the 22-year-old Australian get back on track since before his injury in last summer’s Olympics.
Giddey will be looking for a new contract this offseason, and his recent play is only making the number he signs for bigger. While Giddey will look to get paid like a top-tier star, the rest of this season is a great chance to see if the guard can lead his team to the playoffs and prove he can be a key part of this franchise moving forward.
Is Billy Donovan the coach to carry out the rebuild?
Billy Donovan has extensive experience coaching in college and the NBA.
He has also worked with young players in Florida and during his last few years with OKC. His tenure with the Bulls has not been as successful as his other stops, as he has only had one winning season since coming to Chicago in 2020. During his time there, several young players not only did not stand out but then went on to other places and produced at a high level. Notable names include Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter Jr. and Daniel Gafford.
Donovan has shown a lack of ability to develop young players, and his unwillingness to play them may show management that he may not be the best coach for this team moving forward.
The Bulls continue their Play-In quest against the Heat on Saturday.
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