Critics in the media and amongst the Chicago Bulls fanbase have complained for years about the Bulls’ seeming lack of direction.
However, if you step back with a wider lens view, you’ll see that the much-maligned front office might have been right in their roster-building all along.
When Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley joined forces to begin this rebuild, the Bulls were a laughingstock. So, the need to hire a well-established coach with a vision, along with adding veteran free agents to help cultivate that vision was imperative.
The plan seemed to work. The front office added multifaceted defender Alex Caruso. A proven scorer like DeMar DeRozan helped provide scoring stability. And signing Lonzo Ball gave the team a young dynamic two-way point guard. Finally, the Bulls established a clear identity on both offense and defense.
But injuries to key players in Zo and Patrick Williams derailed the vision and style that Donovan wanted to create. Other injuries ensued, forcing the Bulls to play certain players in undesirable positions. Thus, the Bulls elevated Caruso and Ayo Dosunmu into the starting lineup.
Caruso, however, became tasked with guarding bigger, stronger players. This, along with his gritty play style led to durability concerns. Dosunmu’s inconsistencies playing point guard led to Coby White‘s ascension at the point.
Further injuries to Zach LaVine allowed Ayo another chance to hone his combo skills next to White. As a result, the team finished 34-29 in their last 63 games after starting 5-14.
More change needed
The front office realized that the original core wasn’t good enough.
DeRozan’s play style didn’t fit the plan for creating a more modern offense with pace. Caruso would eventually seek a longer contract, and the Bulls had young defenders that needed playing time. The time was now for the front office to make moves for the future, and both players were traded.
They received draft picks and Josh Giddey, a young player with a plethora of talent. The latter move is paying immediate dividends.
Sometimes the best moves are never made
Giddey’s dynamic playmaking has added a new dimension to the Bulls’ offense.
Giddey has developed solid chemistry with LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. They are unpredictable and dangerous on offense. The Bulls are currently third in three-point attempts. As a result, the Bulls have the fastest pace in the NBA this season.
The team failed to move LaVine for the past two years. However, they are playing an exciting and sustainable brand of basketball if they decide to keep LaVine in a Bulls uniform.
The Bulls were also able to sign impressive young center Jalen Smith in free agency. He has proven to be an adequate backup to Vucevic and consistent in shooting threes.
What’s the next step
To fully maximize their potential, the Bulls must add another wing to the starting lineup and move Coby White to the bench. White’s strengths and weaknesses are best suited as a sixth man. Starting Julian Phillips next to Williams could help shore up their defensive issues. His length, athleticism, and switchability could give this team the defensive boost they need.
Such a move would also allow the team to let Matas Buzelis harness his raw talent on the bench and get up to NBA-game speed.
The Bulls have a balanced roster with a bright future ahead. They’re no longer a team living on their past. They’re building something special for the future.
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