The Chicago Bulls have gotten themselves into a precarious situation. After making a plethora of win-now moves in 2021, they have just one playoff appearance, and a first-round exit, to show for it. Injuries have certainly played a role in their lack of success, but Chicago can’t count on that to change.
This summer, the Bulls need to take a serious look in the mirror. It’s never been more clear that their current core isn’t good enough to win a championship. Make a playoff run? Sure. Win a title? Absolutely not. In turn, shaking up the core could be their best option. But who stays and who goes?
Zach LaVine likely has the most value of the three. DeMar DeRozan is heading into the last year of his contract, so he’d have value as an expiring deal. Nikola Vucevic is a free agent, so Chicago could simply let him walk. At first glance, most would expect the Bulls to be most committed to LaVine because of his recent contract extension, but that may not be the case.
According to Sam Smith of NBA.com, DeRozan has the most internal support within the Bulls organization.
“But actually of the three main Bulls guys, I think there’s the most support internally for DeRozan,” wrote Smith. “Which doesn’t mean it can’t change.”
Chicago inked DeRozan to a deal in the summer of 2021, and since putting on the red and black, he’s completely revived his career, making two All-Star teams and earning one set of All-NBA honors with the Bulls.
The 33-year-old star may not be the organization’s future, but evidently, he’s their present.
