PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 07: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls talks with Ayo Dosunmu #12 and DeMar DeRozan #11 against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 7, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Bulls 121-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Predicting the Chicago Bulls’ starting five for the 2022-23 season
Chicago Bulls starters Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan& Nikola Vucevic (David Banks-USA TODAY Sports)
‘Bittersweet’ would best describe the Chicago Bulls’ 2021-22 season. While the team finally returned to the postseason after a four-year absence, injuries derailed a team that seemed like it was on the path to a top seed in the Eastern Conference. However, the team came upon a tough matchup and it sputtered to a first-round exit against the Milwaukee Bucks.
So, what did the Bulls do to follow up last season’s renaissance? Well, they did re-sign All-Star wing Zach LaVine to a max contract. Then, they…signed Andre Drummond and Goran Dragic. Oh, and the team is also reportedly hoping to reach an extension with center Nikola Vučević.
Scintillating stuff.
Even with their relative inactivity this offseason, the Chicago Bulls still boast a solid roster that’s capable of qualifying for the 2023 postseason.
It’s clear that the Bulls are hinging their 2022-23 hopes on better injury luck and the further development of their younger players (if GarPax were still in charge, they’d say “it’s just like making a big trade” or something). It’s fair to wonder if that strategy will pay off in an Eastern Conference that saw several teams improve their rosters.
That said, there’s still enough talent on this roster to make another playoff push. The strength of the potential starting lineup alone is enough to buoy them in a choppy East.
