Two years ago, the Chicago Bulls made some big-time moves in an attempt to improve their roster. They traded for Nikola Vucevic at the 2021 NBA trade deadline and signed DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, and Alex Caruso the following summer. Unfortunately, they have failed to live up to expectations since then.
They made the playoffs in their first season with the current core but were eliminated in the first round. Then, this past season, they were sent packing in the Play-In Tournament. Now, they’ll have some important decisions to make this summer, and while the front office seems intent on running it back, they could be better off blowing up the roster.
That’s what Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report believes. In a recent article, he ranked all 14 lottery teams from worst future to best future. He placed the Bulls in 13th place, suggesting that they reset the roster this summer.
“With Nikola Vučević hitting free agency, DeRozan able to walk out the door next summer and a future first owed to the Spurs, Chicago may be better off hitting the reset button at this point,” Swartz wrote.
Swartz also pointed out Chicago’s rough pick situation and Ball’s injury issues as reasons to rebuild.
“Now that their final first-round selection has been conveyed to Orlando, Chicago has their own pick the next two seasons, meaning a rebuild could pay dividends here,” Swartz wrote. ‘Their 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028 pick carries protections as well.
“With Lonzo Ball likely missing all of next season following a third knee surgery, Chicago needs to consider blowing things up.”
Chicago would be better off trading their stars and hitting the reset button this offseason. The current core simply isn’t good enough to compete for a championship.
