I feel like I’ve become a bit of a broken record when talking about the Chicago Bulls as of late, but I’m not really sure what more there is to dive into as we lead up to the trade deadline on February 6th.
We know what this Bulls team is. Granted, they’ve taken a different path to getting here, but they’re incredibly similar to last year’s team. Good enough to take down a big dog on a given night when they play well. Bad enough to lose to a basement dweller when they no show. Just enough talent to make a run at a Play-In spot but also not enough talent to make any real noise in the postseason.
I know it takes two to tango, but at the trade deadline in a few weeks, Arturas Karnisovas really needs to pick a lane. Standing pat like last year doesn’t do anything for you outside of increasing your chance of losing your first-round pick.
If Zach LaVine keeps playing at a level close to what he’s been since the calendar turned to 2025, someone should want him. Lonzo Ball has ramped up to playing over 20 minutes a night and can provide a contender with three-point shooting, solid defense, and a smart all-around game. Nikola Vucevic is a double-double machine that offers rare floor-spacing capabilities.
Even Coby White or Ayo Dosunmu could be attractive to a contender and could fetch a very decent haul with their very team-friendly deals. I’m not saying I want those two to get moved, but Arturas Karnisovas should be listening to EVERYONE.
I know rebuilds come with risks, and I know this team has given us some fun moments over the last few years. But this group as currently constructed isn’t going anywhere significant. I feel like Eli and I (as well as just about everyone who covers the Bulls) have preached that constantly over the last couple of seasons. If the Bulls ever want to get back to the top of the Eastern Conference, they’re going to have to do something bold. This group isn’t going to do it. This group plus a nice depth piece or two isn’t going to do it. It’s time to be bold and pick a lane as opposed to being mired in mediocrity.
Taking one step back doesn’t always mean you’ll quickly take two steps forward. It takes a good amount of luck in the NBA. But standing with your feet stuck in the mud does guarantee you won’t take a step forward – let alone two. Time is ticking closer to February 6th, and that means the Bulls finally need to pick a lane as opposed to just sitting on their hands again.
This feels especially prudent heading toward this week’s schedule. The next four games on the calendar will be against teams at or below .500. In other words, they’re all winnable contests that may only further lock the organization into their current mediocre track.
Meet the Bulls’ Opponents
- 1/14 vs Pelicans: Revenge for opening night…or something like that.
- 1/15 vs Hawks: Let’s hope Ayo can get back in the lineup for this one.
- 1/17 vs Hornets: Will we finally get Lonzo vs LaMelo?
- 1/19 at Trail Blazers: Late night, West Coast basketball incoming!
Bulls Projected Lineup
- Coby White
- Josh Giddey
- Zach LaVine
- Patrick Williams
- Nikola Vucevic
Opponent Projected Lineup
New Orleans Pelicans
- Dejounte Murray
- CJ McCollum
- Jordan Hawkins
- Javonte Green
- Yves Missi
Atlanta Hawks
- Trae Young
- Dyson Daniels
- Vit Krejci
- Zaccharie Risacher
- Clint Capela
Charlotte Hornets
- LaMelo Ball
- Josh Green
- Brandon Miller
- Miles Bridges
- Mark Williams
Trail Blazers
- Anfernee Simons
- Shaedon Sharpe
- Jerami Grant
- Deni Avdija
- Deandre Ayton
Unavailable/Injured (at the start of the week)
- Bulls: Ayo Dosunmu QUESTIONABLE (calf), Torrey Craig QUESTIONABLE (leg), Coby White QUESTIONABLE (neck), Adama Sanogo QUESTIONABLE (knee)
- Pelicans: Brandon Ingram DOUBTFUL (ankle), Herbert Jones OUT (shoulder)
- Hawks: Trae Young QUESTIONABLE (Achilles), Bogdan Bogdanovic QUESTIONABLE (knee), Jalen Johnson QUESTIONABLE (shoulder), Cody Zeller DOUBTFUL (personal)
- Hornets: DaQuan Jeffries QUESTIONABLE (illness)
- Trail Blazers: Deandre Ayton QUESTIONABLE (calf), Robert Williams III QUESTIONABLE (illness), Jerami Grant QUESTIONABLE (face), Matisse Thybulle OUT (ankle)
What to Watch For
- Bulls: I’m very much hoping that Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White can get back on the floor and look healthy this week. I think Coby should be fine relatively soon, Ayo sounds like he’s trending toward a return this week but he hasn’t played in a while. I’m not saying I think the Bulls should be actively shopping those two, but I do think they need to pick the direction of a rebuild. I love Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu and think they can absolutely be a part of one, but I also don’t think anyone should be off the table or untouchable on this roster at the trade deadline. Having them be healthy for the last few weeks leading up to the February 6th trade deadline can’t hurt.
- Pelicans: What a brutal season this has been in New Orleans for a team that looked like it was poised to take a step forward. They’ll be without Herb Jones and likely Brandon Ingram when they come to the United Center on Tuesday night. New Orleans is 3-3 in their last six, and those three wins account for nearly HALF of their win total this season. They’re still good enough and talented enough to upset the Bulls, especially if Zion Williamson is in the lineup. And, if Chicago takes them lightly like they have done at times against bottom-of-the-league teams, this could end in a head-scratching loss.
- Hawks: The Bulls and Hawks continue to feel like the Spiderman meme. Atlanta is 19-19 and currently 9th in the East. If the season ended today, we’d have a Bulls vs Hawks matchup in the 9v10 Play-In Game yet again. I’m intrigued to see how they approach the trade deadline, as well. Trae Young could in theory be in play if they were looking for a shakeup. His name was brought up in a few rumors last season, too. Both of these teams would be smart to try and re-tool a bit.
- Hornets: I really hope we finally get our Lonzo vs LaMelo matchup. These two have played twice this year and both times LaMelo Ball was out of the lineup. The two haven’t played against each other since prior to Lonzo’s knee injury, so we really haven’t seen the peak version of LaMelo go up against his brother. Charlotte has become a young and fun team even though they’re not very good. They at least have a few young building blocks in Ball and Brandon Miller. Last time in Charlotte the Hornets forced this game to overtime late before Chicago pulled out the win.
- Trail Blazers: I’m intrigued to see when the Trail Blazers actually think they’ll be ready to take that “next step” toward a potential playoff contender. Scoot Henderson has been a bit of a bust so far. Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe are solid, but I don’t think they’ve quite been the building blocks Portland has hoped for. Deandre Ayton is fine, but he’s also blocking Donovan Clingan a bit. They’ve been in rebuild mode for a few years now, but they just can’t seem to land that star player after the departure of Damian Lillard. I guess they could end up the cautionary tale for what can happen if a rebuild goes wrong.