A High Floor? Chicago’s Young Core, DeMar Dimes, 76ers Waive Some Interesting Names, and Other Bulls Bullets

The more I think about the Chicago Bulls, the more I think they’ll be just fine.

They’ll compete for a first-round playoff series and play enough competitive basketball to keep fans interested. Are they likely closer to a 7 or 8 seed in the Play-In Tournament than a top-4 spot? Sure. But being in the playoff mix is what matters most. Then, once you’re in, you worry about making some noise.

  • I know that isn’t the most exciting mentality to have heading into this year, but I think it’s one of the most realistic. I refuse to be excessively high on this group due to the improvements of several East competitors and the concerns we saw arise in the second half of last year. At the same time, I refuse to be excessively low on this team due to the growing pains that could come for those new-look teams and the success we saw in the first half of last season.
  • Not to mention, the floor for this roster just feels at least first-round-series high. Rarely do teams with three All-Star-caliber players crumble in epic fashion (the 2021-22 Lakers were an exception), especially when those three appear to be on the same page. As long as they can stay healthy, I trust that the trio of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic is talented enough to avoid the kind of catastrophic tumble some analysts project. I also believe that this front office isn’t going to let some kind of massive drop-off ensue. As limited as their assets might be at the moment, we’ve seen them be aggressive and get creative about adding talent in the past. Karnisovas even said himself that he’s prepared to do whatever it takes to put this team in a better position this season. We’ll see if he is a man of his word.
  • If you turn the conversation toward the long-term trajectory of this organization, I have more questions. Both the 2023 and 2025 first-round picks are gone, Lonzo Ball’s health remains up in the air, a ton of money is tied up into Zach LaVine (which, to be clear, he does deserve), and the team’s young core isn’t the most critically acclaimed. Indeed, The Ringer’s Zach Kram and J. Kyle Mann recently ranked each team’s under-25 talent, and the Bulls currently sit a somewhat concerning 24th.
  • Patrick Williams can single-handedly vault them up this leaderboard by reaching his potential, but if or when he can do just that is still frustratingly unclear. Also, for as good as players like Ayo Dosunmu and Dalen Terry look like they can be, we just don’t know if they will be good enough to help bridge one era of competitive Bulls basketball to the next. Again, I want to stress that I very much like the Bulls’ young talent (and I think Dosunmu, Williams, Terry, and even White project to have long NBA careers), but we don’t yet know if any of them can be the next star the Bulls will need.
  • I’ve suggested this before, but we should see an uptick in DeMar DeRozan’s assist totals this season. Last year’s average of 4.9 dimes per game was his fewest of the previous four seasons. As long as his teammates can stay healthy this year, then I would expect to see him take on a little more of the facilitating role that he handled well in San Antonio, especially with Lonzo Ball still injured. He reminded us of his ability to create for others in the team’s preseason battle with the Raptors. DeRozan dished 8 assists in just 26 minutes of play, as he found Vucevic in the post multiple times and hit sprinting teammates in transition. The fact of the matter is that he will garner a ton of defensive pressure (particularly after an All-NBA campaign), and he should be able to pass out of that pressure more often this year.
  • The Bulls look like they will add both Ethan Thompson and Henri Drell back to their Windy City rosters:
  • If I were the Bulls, I’d bring both of these players into the last week of training camp. Isaiah Joe is a 23-year-old 3-point marksman while Charles Bassey is a former big man prospect who I originally wanted the Bulls to consider in 2021. A case could be made that both would be better two-way contract signings than anyone currently competing for the position.
  • My podcast is back up and running for the start of the NBA season! If you’re interested in some more thoughts on the Bulls’ preseason performance, make sure to listen and subscribe below!
  • In a season like this, I’ll take the small victories.
  • ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!?
  • written by

    Elias Schuster is the Lead Chicago Bulls writer at Bleacher Nation. He started with BN full-time in 2019 immediately after graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign with a degree in Journalism (yes, he started with the Jim Boylen Era). Since joining, Elias has been the driving force behind Bulls and NBA content for both the site and social accounts. You can follow him on Twitter/X @Schuster_Elias.

    more bulls news

    We Now Know Where the Chicago Bulls are Picking in the 2024 NBA Draft

    The ping pong balls have spoken. The Bulls didn't budge during Sunday afternoon's drawing in Chicago. The team will remain at the No. 11 spot in the lottery this June after having just a 2.0 percent chance to steal the...

    What are the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery Odds?

    The NBA Draft Lottery has arrived. Despite the lackluster nature of this year's prospect pool, this remains a highly-anticipated day for teams around the league. The truth of the matter is that the opportunity to snag a high pick is...

    Release the Ping Pong Balls, Second Round Picks, MJ’s 3-Point Shooting, and Other Bulls Bullets

    If there was an Equipment Manager of the Year award, I think my aunt might deserve it. Having to leave at about 5 a.m. to drive to my sibling's college graduation on Saturday, I may have kinda sorta broken my...

    Missing Meaningful Basketball, Ant & MJ, Epic Pacers & Knicks Series, And Other Bulls Bullets

    These NBA Playoffs have been a lot of fun. The Knicks and Pacers have given us three straight phenomenal basketball games with electric crowds. Anthony Edwards' emergence in Minnesota has been unreal to watch. Night after night we just get...

    If the Bulls Get Some Lottery Luck, These Names Are Worth Considering

    The Chicago Bulls are only a couple of days away from learning their draft lottery fate. The team will enter Sunday night's drawing with the 11th-best odds in the NBA. This means they have just a 9.4 percent chance to...

    Chicago Sky Tickets Won’t Come Cheap This Season!

    Checking out the Chicago Sky's new draft picks isn't going to come cheap. According to Bookies dot com, the Sky will be the third-most expensive WNBA game to see this season. Adam Thompson mapped out the price of admission for...

    Draft Lottery Rep, Is Anyone Untouchable? Next Star to be Traded? And Other Bulls Bullets

    Rumor has it that if you put a ping pong ball under your pillow, the Chicago Bulls will win the lottery on Sunday. Might as well try! The team announced on Friday morning that second-year forward Julian Pillips will represent...

    Suns Reportedly Set to Hire Mike Budenholzer as Next Head Coach

    The Phoenix Suns are reportedly close to hiring their new head coach. The Athletic's Shams Charania reported on Friday morning that Mike Budenholzer is expected to work out a deal with the franchise. The contract could be approaching the eight-figure...

    Why You Should Keep Your Phone on Silent

    Luka Doncic's postgame press conference started off with a bang. On Thursday night, the Dallas Mavericks took down the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 to even up the series. Sitting down to address reporters after the game, a very...

    Patrick Beverley’s Punishment Handed Down by the NBA

    Following his inappropriate antics after the Bucks' Game 6 and series loss to the Indiana Pacers last week, the NBA has punished Patrick Beverley. The former Bulls' guard has been suspended for four games by the league for throwing a...

    Latest News

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 5, Pirates 4 – May 12, 2024

    It's Mother's Day. I'm hanging with the family. I don't feel like being as pissed off as a game like that threatened to make me. So I am QUITE relieved by that 10th inning (and the fact that the Cubs...

    Nikola Jokic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Timberwolves – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Sunday, May 12, 2024

    At 8:00 PM ET on Sunday, in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the Denver Nuggets against the Minnesota Timberwolves, with Nikola Jokic needing two trifectas to beat his 3-pointer over/under.Nikola Jokic's Three-Pointer Prop...

    Michael Porter Jr. Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Timberwolves – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Sunday, May 12, 2024

    At 8:00 PM ET on Sunday, in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the Denver Nuggets versus the Minnesota Timberwolves, with Michael Porter Jr. needing three trifectas to beat his 3-pointer over/under.Michael Porter Jr.'s...

    Anthony Edwards Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Nuggets – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Sunday, May 12, 2024

    At 8:00 PM ET on Sunday, in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Denver Nuggets, with Anthony Edwards needing three trifectas to beat his 3-pointer over/under.Anthony Edwards' Three-Pointer Prop...

    Jamal Murray Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Timberwolves – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Sunday, May 12, 2024

    Jamal Murray needs to make two 3-pointers to beat his over/under when the Denver Nuggets face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday at 8:00 PM ET, in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs.Jamal Murray's Three-Pointer Prop Odds...

    Karl-Anthony Towns Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Nuggets – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Sunday, May 12, 2024

    At 8:00 PM ET on Sunday, in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Denver Nuggets, with Karl-Anthony Towns needing two treys to beat his 3-pointer prop.Karl-Anthony Towns' Three-Pointer Prop...

    Top Player Prop Bets for Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Western Conference Semifinals Game 4 on May 12, 2024

    Player prop betting options for Anthony Edwards, Nikola Jokic and others are available in the Minnesota Timberwolves-Denver Nuggets matchup at Target Center on Sunday (starting at 8:00 PM ET).How to Watch Timberwolves vs. NuggetsDate: Sunday, May 12, 2024Time: 8:00 PM...

    Christopher Morel Kicks Off Mother’s Day With Some Love

    I'll just presume he was sending this one out for mom. And I'll also presume that the knee is indeed feeling good. Home run number nine on the season for Christopher Morel: https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1789713524052087082

    Rome Odunze Missed Saturday’s Bears Rookie Minicamp Practice

    I was rounding up this morning's set of Bears Bullets when I saw this note from the Chicago Tribune's Dan Wiederer on rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze sitting out Saturday's practice with hamstring tightness and I knew I had to...

    Cubs Roster Move: Kyle Hendricks Activated to Start Today

    No surprises here, as the decision to start Kyle Hendricks this afternoon against the Pirates was made yesterday, but the news has officially hit the wire, and here it is. Kyle Hendricks Activated Kyle Hendricks is returning from his short...

    more bulls news