On Friday, the Chicago Bulls fell to the Miami Heat in the Play-In Tournament, losing a bid to the 2024 NBA Playoffs in the process.
This season always felt like an uphill battle for the Bulls. Prior to the All-Star Break, it became clear that Chicago would have to make do without their starting backcourt. For the second straight year, former No. 2 pick Lonzo Ball was ruled out for the entire season as he attempts to return from multiple knee surgeries. High-flyer and sharpshooter Zach LaVine underwent season-ending surgery on his right ankle.
DeMar DeRozan Makes Impassioned Plea to Bulls Front Office
Speaking to reporters after the Bulls lost to the Heat, leading scorer DeMar DeRozan addressed the obstacles Chicago faced this season.
In doing so, the soon-to-be 16-year veteran made an impassioned plea to the Bulls, asking the front office to build “a competitive team” this offseason, per NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson:
“A team that gives us a chance to make a run.
Since I’ve been here, we’ve dealt with a lot. My first year was a team that we planned on being with. But to lose a star point guard in Zo (Lonzo Ball), Zach (LaVIne) getting hurt later that year, we had all the pieces in play. I don’t know if a black cat ran in front of us or we broke a mirror. But giving us a chance to be competitive and not just a team that fights for a play-in game.”
DeRozan is to become a free agent in the summer after signing a three-year, $81.9 million contract with the Bulls in 2021. Nonetheless, he’s stated his desire to return to the Bulls on several occasions. While money talks, DeRozan genuinely enjoys playing for the organization.
With his soft commitment to the franchise, Chicago can pencil him in for one starting spot. Most Improved Player candidate Coby White is also likely to remain in the first unit. However, building a legitimate contender means making tough decisions about the three remaining starters.
Breaking Down the Backcourt
Whether Ball or LaVine are fully healthy entering next season, neither has proven that they’re reliable.
In Ball, the Bulls have an injury-prone floor general with one season remaining on his contract. Ball is an excellent shooter, defender, and passer. However, so much time has passed since he last played competitively that even Ball might not be sure what he can give.
Though less so, LaVine is injury-prone as well. Unfortunately for the two-time All-Star, even when he’s not hurt, he’s not an ideal fit on the perimeter. He’s a natural jump shooter and complements DeRozan with his deep range. Yet, he’s also a lackluster passer and on-ball defender, arguably causing more harm than good.
Moving Key Veterans
Either player could be on the trading block this offseason but LaVine should be. Nikola Vucevic is another player the Bulls need to consider moving. Though an experienced and productive pivot, his streakiness and lack of rim-protection make his presence problematic.
In moving LaVine or Vucevic, Chicago will likely get a less promising haul than they would have in past years. However, any deal involving them should be sign as addition by subtraction so long as they acquire a key defender.
For example, LaVine has been linked to the Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Lakers on the trade market. If the Bulls were to send the West Coast native to L.A., a trade that nets them Rui Hachimura enhances their perimeter defense. Trading LaVine to the Pistons would help them transform their perimeter defense if they landed 3-and-D wing Quentin Grimes or defensive stud Ausar Thompson.
A Vucevic trade has larger variance in what the Bulls could get back. Still, they may be able to pry a player like New York Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein away in a sign-and-trade. Attaching the No. 11 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft to Vucevic could allow them to move up for UConn’s Donovan Clingan, a renowned shot-blocker.
The Last Word on Building a Bulls Contender
To be sure, these aren’t sexy trades. Nobody is clamoring for the Bulls to trade their stars for players without the same status. However, many times, the best move isn’t the loudest one.
For Chicago, adding Hachimura, Grimes, or Thompson to the perimeter and Hartenstein or Clingan to the frontline goes a long way towards them becoming a championship contender.
As White and Ayo Dosunmu evolve offensively, the Bulls could have the type of team the Knicks or Orlando Magic have. There aren’t many stars on the Knicks or Magic roster. As a result, they’re underdogs on paper. Yet, with more than enough dog in them, they pose a formidable matchup for any opponent.
