Pre-Draft Outlook
Chicago took an impressive step up this season, improving by 15 victories and snagging a playoff spot outright vs. fighting for Play-In position. Much of the progress came in the summer via a roster overhaul and then early in the season. One game after the All-Star break, the Bulls were 39-21, but they went 7-15 the rest of the way. What caught up to them? Injuries, defense and an offense that tilted toward DeMar DeRozan’s mid-range game. Chicago ranked last in the NBA in 3-point attempts and next-to-last in makes. Lonzo Ball took 7.4 3-pointers per game and Zach LaVine 7.1, but it dropped off considerably from them (and LaVine is a free agent potentially on the move). Keep in mind, the Bulls do have lots of guards. So the frontcourt might be in play, particularly if the new guy is comfortable outside the arc.
A Stat That Matters
1 of 3 — The Bulls were one of three teams — Milwaukee and Phoenix were the others — that ranked in the top 10 in field goal percentage in the paint (58.3%, ninth), mid-range field goal percentage (43.6%, fourth), and 3-point percentage (36.9%, fourth).
The Way To Go
Names getting mentioned at this tier just outside the lottery include wing Ochai Agbaji of Kansas and Malaki Branham and E.J. Liddell, both of Ohio State. Agbaji stuck in college for his senior year and got better both defensively and as a shooter. Branham can create his own offense. Liddell is huskier and older than his Buckeyes teammate, with great potential as a 3-and-D guy. And if it’s frontcourt force the Bulls want, LSU forward Tari Eason is an option who is growing as a scorer.
Under Contract
G: Lonzo Ball
G: Alex Caruso
G: Ayo Dosunmu
G: Coby White
G/F: DeMar DeRozan
G/F: Javonte Green
F: Patrick Williams
C: Nikola Vucevic
C: Marko Simonovic
Free Agents
G: Matt Thomas (restricted)
G/F: Zach LaVine (unrestricted)
G/F: Troy Brown Jr. (restricted)
F: Tyler Cook (restricted)
F: Malcolm Hill (two-way)
F: Derrick Jones Jr. (unrestricted)
C/F: Tony Bradley (player option)
C/F: Tristan Thompson (unrestricted)
> 2022 Free Agent Tracker
Last year’s Draft
2021: Ayo Domunsu (38)
— Steve Aschburner