The Bulls have been mired in mediocrity for the past three seasons, finishing with middling records a shade below .500 and failing to advance out of the play-in tournament each year.
With that in mind, Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times (subscriber link) takes stock of whether or not Chicago has an actionable strategy for lifting the club out of its plight long-term. Cowley calls out president Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley for having “no real plan” for bringing in an All-Star-caliber player this summer, either through free agency or a trade.
There’s more out of the Windy City:
- On January 24 this season, the Bulls will retire the No. 1 jersey of former 2011 MVP guard Derrick Rose, who called it a career last summer. Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic asserts that Rose is worthy of such an honor despite only spending eight seasons — including two years almost entirely lost due to injury from 2012-14 — in Chicago. Lorenzi observes that Rose, a Chicago native and former MVP, will be just the fifth Bulls player to have his jersey retired, along with Michael Jordan‘s No. 23, Scottie Pippen‘s No. 33, Jerry Sloan‘s No. 4, and Bob Love‘s No. 10.
- In lieu of landing an established star, the Bulls are counting on 2025 All-Rookie Second Team forward Matas Buzelis to emerge as their star of the future, Lorenzi observes in the same story.
- Just a year after being signed to a five-year, $90MM deal, Bulls forward Patrick Williams finds himself in a tenuous standing with Chicago, Lorenzi writes as he considers what the next step is for the Bulls and the former No. 4 overall pick. The club’s lone trade this summer, for another defense-first young forward in Isaac Okoro, could make Williams somewhat expendable if he doesn’t take a step forward this fall.
Bulls would love to trade Williams if somebody took over his bad contract.
To the blazers for R Williams for their pick back plus a unprotected from Chi. Would save them 59 million over 3 years.
Funny how the author of this post uses the word ‘expendable’. Who are the Bulls going to expend Williams to? Am hoping that Williams can still become a good player. In his five years, Williams has had many moments when he has shown talent. Williams is still young, 24 years old. Would be best for both Williams and the Bulls if somehow Williams can become better.
Arc, the only time I’ll ever be rude to you on here, but the phrase “thank you captain obvious” applies here I believe lol.
Seriously though, why are we in this news? We’re irrelevant and obsolete in the NBA world these days.
I laugh bc I cry bc I hate my front office.
Watching local college ball teams will have better luck for my emotional health this year.
More than Williams i don’t understand the hardball play the Bulls are doing with Giddey. He is the best player on the team and other than White you nedd to build around young players.
Allow me to “take stock” as well: No.
Mediocrity is the new name for the Bulls. Could be that JR still owns them.
Play Patrick Williams at SF starter not the PF spot. Force feed him the ball until someone bites at a trade. Tank for draft picks.
Resign Giddey to a QO one year then trade him for draft picks
Trade White, Okoro and Jalen Smith for an expiring contract. Maybe make a offer to Detroit for Tobias Harris, Holland and picks
….. keeping Nikola Vuecuce because there is nobody else to play this season
Keep acquiring veterans for picks.
Trade White for picks too.
Tank tank tank tank
Keep only Matas, Ayo, their draft pick this year guy I forgot his name, Phillips and Nikola Vuecuc. Everyone else can be go if needed for picks
Utah, Brooklyn and Chicago needs those top 3 draft picks next year the most
Play the kids, might strike good in the draft. Although Jerry may take the next Sam Bowie or Patrick Williams in said draft. I do like that Buzelis kid a lot. He’s got some game, just needs court time.
Good for Williams for getting paid. But fire that GM.
Not trying to be rude but Love, Sloan and Rose should not have their jerseys retired. I understand Love was one of their first stars
I don’t think anyone other than those two should have their jersey hung up. Maybe Rodman
Sub-mediocrity the last three seasons? That doesn’t fully show how horrible the franchise has been. It would’ve been more succinct to say “never finished higher than 6th in the East for the past 10 years”
Not that it matters anymore, but obligatory mention that Okoro was drafted one spot behind Pat Will.
I think Noah’s jersey #13 ought to be retired as well. All heart and hustle, lifeblood of this team when he was in Chicago. Miss his energy and his relentless style of play
Bulls have no clear vision. Resigning Donovan just confirms that. Messing with Giddey is dumber than what Warriors are doing to Kuminga. Even if they don’t want to go with Giddey. Makes no sense killing his trade value. He should have been signed already.
I have no confidence in their development of players. Passing on Queen was a big mistake. Okoro is a player who can still show. I doubt Bulls will help him.
I just don’t see a clear direction with this team since Donovan signed on. And now for that he gets another 5 yrs. He is 195-205 in 5yrs as Bulls coach.