The Chicago Bulls have used the 2024 NBA offseason to transform themselves.
More transformations could be coming, of course, but an agonizingly long stretch of running it back has finally finished.
Good, bad or worse, these Bulls are different. To examine just how different, let’s break down how the depth chart and rotation appear at the moment.
Depth Chart
Point Guard
Josh Giddey
Ayo Dosunmu
Lonzo Ball
Shooting Guard
Coby White
Dalen Terry
Jevon Carter
Small Forward
Zach LaVine
Matas Buzelis
Chris Duarte
Power Forward
Patrick Williams
Torrey Craig
Julian Phillips
Center
Nikola Vučević
Jalen Smith
Rotation
For months, Alex Caruso had loomed as one of the top trade chips in the entire market. That Chicago wound up flipping him for only Josh Giddey highlights just how much the franchise thinks of the 2021 draft’s No. 6 pick.
Giddey could be looking at all the minutes he can handle, as his passing proficiency will allow Coby White to focus more on finding his own buckets. And remember, buckets could be at a premium with DeMar DeRozan gone and the chance for further subtractions among the remaining veterans.
Speaking of those vets, Chicago faces a delicate challenge of getting them enough floor time to maintain (or even improve) their trade value while also finding as many developmental minutes as possible for the young players. The 2024-25 season would be a massive disappointment if it ended without Chicago having a fairly good idea of what it has in Patrick Williams, Matas Buzelis, Dalen Terry and Julian Phillips.
Lastly, don’t be shocked if Jalen Smith nudges Nikola Vučević out of the starting lineup. Ideally, the Bulls would open a starting spot for Smith via a Vučević trade, but even if both stay in Chicago, Smith could get the nod for his more modern-friendly blend of shot-blocking and shot-making.
What’s Left to Sort Out
First off, who all is staying for the entire 2024-25 season?
Zach LaVine nearly has a permanent residence on the trade block at this point. Vučević feels like he could be gone as soon as Chicago finds a not insulting offer. Torrey Craig and Jevon Carter both feel like capable need-fillers should injuries create openings elsewhere.
Second, how ready are the young players to fill major roles? Can Giddey shake off a shaky postseason and get back to churning out triple-doubles? Is there a leap year awaiting Williams or Terry? Could Buzelis find enough floor time to make a serious push for Rookie of the Year consideration?
Finally, is there any reason to believe these workout flashes from Lonzo Ball manifest into anything more? Probably not, since the point guard hasn’t played since Jan. 2022, but hopefully his hoops story hasn’t been completely written.
