The Chicago Bulls are a team that had a mixed season during the 2021-22 season. They went through the playoffs for the first time since last year’s 2016-2017 season, and there’s no doubt that their season has been a successful one overall.
However, the team definitely had some problems last year. They were decimated by injuries, and their record against other elite teams wasn’t great. There are clearly some question marks about the level of health and talent in the Chicago Bulls squad next season.
In this article, we will try to predict the most realistic starting lineup and starting list for the Chicago Bulls next season. They have a strong squad, and are likely to surprise many with their level of play.
The Chicago Bulls have a good team
The Chicago Bulls’ major move in the summer was to re-sign Zach Lavigne to a five-year, $215.2 million deal. The Chicago Bulls clearly view it as the future of the franchise. Even if LaVine isn’t currently the top player on the team, given DeMar DeRozan, he’ll probably get there if he continues to develop as an all-around player. LaVine is already a capable three-tier scorer, but in order to reach the next level, he will have to improve on the defensive side and influence the game through playmaking.
DeMar DeRozan is clearly the best player for the Chicago Bulls currently, and at some point during the 2021-22 season, he was a candidate for the best player. He is a midfield scoring master and an elite attacking playmaker. There is no doubt that he is able to carry the offensive burden of the team during the regular season. However, he has faltered in the playoffs in the past, which could be a concern for the team going forward.
The Chicago Bulls have a solid backing squad around their superstars, with elite defensive players like Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso and a strong offensive big man in Nikola Vucevic. They also have some strong young talents emerging, such as Patrick Williams and Ayo Dosunmo. The team is well positioned for both the present and the future, and if their young talent develops, they could have a frighteningly high ceiling.
Chicago Bulls Final List
The starting lineup: Lonzo Ball, Zach Lavigne, DeMar DeRozan, Patrick Williams, Nikola Vucevich
Seat: Alex Caruso, Kobe White, Ayo Dosunmo, Derek Jones Jr., Andre Drummond
The starting lineup for the Chicago Bulls is fairly straightforward. Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan will start at the center of SG and SF, and make up one of the best winger duos in the league. Nikola Vucevic is the best position on the list, so he gets a starting point as well. His spacing will be crucial to helping DeMar DeRozan thrive in attack, and his subsequent match can come in handy when both Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan face poor offensive nights. Patrick Williams is an elite defensive guard who can guard multiple positions, so his start is certain.
The point guard position is interesting. It’s clear that Lonzo Ball is more likely to start for the team when he’s healthy. However, it was reported that his pre-season presence was in doubt earlier this summer, and someone may have to start in place while he recovers. Alex Caruso could potentially provide a defense in this position, while Kobe White could be a default target.
However, the best option is probably Ayo Dosunmo, who can play and defend many positions. Dosunmu offers some two-way play and has a versatile offensive skill set. He’ll probably play heavy minutes off the bench regardless, and Ayo Dosunmu is the illogical choice to start the Lonzo Ball. Swapping one versatile jumbo guard for another seems to be the easiest transition for the bull.
The bench is definitely more defense-oriented, with Derek Jones Jr., Alex Caruso and Ayo Dosunmo doing a fearsome defensive unit. The main scorer on the bench is likely to be Coby White, and his shot making will help them stay afloat offensively. Andre Drummond will provide the finishing touch to the bounce and edge needed.
In general, the Chicago Bulls are a deep team that has good players in attack and defense. It remains to be seen how it all comes together, but the talent is just there.
The Chicago Bulls can surprise everyone with how amazing they are
The biggest problem with the Chicago Bulls is that they don’t have a real star-level player on their roster. This is what prevents their placement in the category of competitors. They don’t have the same star power as the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, or Brooklyn Nets. All of these teams have the top 10 players on their roster, and having a big star generally means that the team has a better chance of winning the championship, with the star power generally winning the playoffs.
With that being said, there are definitely some benefits to having a balanced team that has some players of NBA caliber running the offensive. The Chicago Bulls are a team that can play right with some players who can create their own shot in late play situations. They are a strong playoff team and can win a series or two if they are lucky.
It is clear that the situation of the team will change if some of its players improve and develop. For example, if Zach LaVine becomes a true all-star scorer, there is no reason why the team can’t make it to the finals. However, until that happens, it is very likely that the Chicago Bulls will end up as a strong playoff team with the Eastern Conference Finals cap.
