While there are now not many people left on the free agent market and the workforce, except for upheaval via the expected trades of Damian Lillard and James Harden, is almost complete, it’s time to take stock of the first summer for all 30 NBA franchises. After Detroit, Houston, San Antonio, Charlotte, PortlandThen Orlando, Washingtonand finally Indiana , Utahand Dallas, let’s take a look at Chicago and this conundrum that’s been plaguing fans: “You don’t change a team that doesn’t win.”
A season concluded in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, a logical elimination against the Miami Heat in the play-in, with a rather talented workforce on paper, Chicago still can’t do it. And yet, the front office seems to take the gamble of one last dance with DeMar FromRozan, Nikola Vucevic And Zach LaVine.
If the team has been reshuffled timidly with sharp reinforcements to fill the gaps in the workforce, the historic franchise may have a masterstroke in store, or at least a significant blow. Between the transfer rumors around their double All-Star, Zach LaVine, and the budget allocated by the league to compensate for Lonzo Ball’s upcoming white season, the Bulls are perhaps looking for a final sensational transfer?
SEASON 2022/23
40 wins – 42 losses (19th)
24th attack: 112.8 points scored on 100 possessions
5th defense: 111.5 points conceded on 100 possessions
ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES
Arrivals : Jevon Carter, Torrey Craig, Julian Phillips (drafted in 35th position)
Departures : Patrick Beverley, Marko Simonovic
WORKFORCE 2023/24
Leaders : Jevon Carter, Alex Caruso, Ayo Dosunmu
Full-backs/wingers Zach LaVine, Coby White, DeMar DeRozan, Dalen Terry, Julian Phillips, Torrey Craig
Interiors : Patrick Williams, Nikola Vucevic, Andre Drummond
THE LIKELY MAJOR FIVE
Ayo Dosunmu, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Patrick Williams, Nikola Vucevic
THE OBJECTIVE
Find the playoffs. It’s even a safe bet that the leaders of Chicago even hope to find the heights of the Eastern Conference. Especially since the Bulls were a real threat, enthroned at the top of the league in the middle of the 2022/2023 season. But since January 15, 2022, their leader Lonzo Ball has never turned back the floors. True metronome and brain of the band, his absence plunged the Bulls into a kind of artistic blur on the ground. Between the hazardous decision-making of Zach LaVine, the inconsistencies in placement and agreement between Nikola Vucevic and the back lines, Chicago has too often relied on the innate talent of the king of the 4th quarter, DeMar DeRozan.
Chicago has therefore bet on continuity by extending Nikola Vucevic (60 million over 3 years), and the young Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu. The two backs will have to prove that the leaders were right to rely on their maturity and their room for improvement. Financial risk but measured on the sporting level since they called on Jevon Carter, from Milwaukee. This defensive leader took over the role of Pat Beverley and he can bring his experience to the Suns or the Bucks. If he doesn’t have the talent of Lonzo Ball, Carter remains an underrated signing, as this Chicago team needs a boss on the field. To top it off, he can hurt 3-pointers.
At his side, Chicago also got hold of another element passed by the Bucks and the Suns, Torrey Craig. He displays a highly sought-after profile in the league, the famous “3&D”. Again, this is not the most exciting arrival for the fans, but it is an undeniable defensive contribution for the bench.
QUESTIONS
Is the recruitment closed? One can’t help but wonder if Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Everley have an idea in mind. Zach LaVine fueled much of this early summer in transfer rumours, and according to KC Johnson, the double winner of the dunk contest was announced available by the leaders. At the moment, it looks like the other 29 franchises don’t seem to be in a rush to make a proposal.
Furthermore, there is this envelope of $10.2 million for recruiting which has not yet been used. They can use it to sign a player in the last year of his contract, or for a one-year contract for a free agent. For now, it’s dead calm. Without forgetting that Javonte Green and Derrick Jones Jr. are free agents, and that they have not yet found takers.
The last dance (too many)? It’s hard to imagine, as it stands, the Bulls being a real threat in the Eastern Conference. The talent is there, of course, but the expected explosion of Ayo Dosunmu or Coby White, added to the arrival of Jevon Carter, are they enough for Chicago to recite its score on the ground?
Clearly, this is the last chance for this group, and it’s a safe bet that the names of Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan will resurface regularly if the Bulls take the season the wrong way.
