The Chicago Bulls are looking better to Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey, who has moved up the storied franchise three spots in this week’s B/R power rankings to No. 20 in the league. Improved health and with it improved play are certainly factors behind that boost. But consistency from recently reintroduced stars is also key for Bailey — and Zach LaVine in particular.
“LaVine played 41 minutes in Wednesday’s overtime win over the Houston Rockets and had 25 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals,” writes Bailey. “And the Bulls are 3-0 since he returned to the rotation, and they’re officially in the play-in mix.”
“For the whole season, the team’s net rating is still 5.6 points worse when LaVine is on the floor,” adds the B/R analyst.
The Chicago Bulls' most important decision at the trade deadline? Picking a direction, per one analyst https://t.co/4m4dA5DYN2 pic.twitter.com/qeQJDNN8l9
— Bulls Wire (@Bulls_Wire) January 13, 2024
“But at the very least, this recent stretch could be reminding potential suitors of the upside LaVine could bring to their teams.”
How well he and Nikola Vucevic play between now and the deadline could be a deciding factor in what direction the front office elects to take with both. But they need to pick a direction one way or another — and move decisively in it.
