The Chicago Bulls came into the season with some lofty expectations and the mantra of “continuity.” They added a few fringe bench veterans in the offseason and buyout market but otherwise kept the same squad. An early exit in the Play-In Tournament was certainly not the goal and the front office now has an upset fan base and financial inflexibility to navigate. Things are not looking great in Chi-Town.

How’d It Go?

The tone for the season was set early as news about starting point guard Lonzo Ball went from bad to worse. Concerns started in June when rumors were reported that the Bulls’ brass was starting to fear that Ball would miss the start of the 2022-23 season, and it all came to a head in September when he went through a THIRD surgery on his left knee. He had discomfort running and jumping and didn’t play a single game during the season.

The Chicago Bulls went on stumbling and bumbling to a 40-42 record on the season, landing them in the league’s new Play-In Tournament where they eliminated the Toronto Raptors with an impressive late-game surge only to fall to the Miami Heat in the following Play-In game.

If there’s any reason for optimism, it’s that they really are just one piece away from being a competitive playoff team. Without a starting point guard, they managed a record of 26-33 before the All-Star break, but after they signed Patrick Beverley in the buyout market they went on to a 14-9 record to close the season as players like Coby White and Patrick Williams became very solid bench contributors.

The Bulls got the big job done this past offseason though, extending Zach LaVine for five years to a max deal. But it doesn’t appear that LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic make a winning core. How can they pivot off this situation with so little draft capital? It’s going to be a difficult road ahead.

Coaching

The Bulls secretly extended head coach Billy Donovan in the offseason without so much as a social media post about the move, which shocked and perplexed most fans as he still had two years remaining on his current deal. The Bulls were coming off of a rather successful season, but they failed to advance in the playoffs and Zach LaVine has had public run-ins with Donovan in his media interviews.

If you extend both of them, does that mean their issues are squashed? It’s hard to imagine that’s the case with the Bulls playing poorly for most of this season and much of that blame falling on both of those guys.

The Bulls finished the season as a top-10 defense despite having individual players that struggle on that end of the floor. If Donovan wants to hang his hat on something, that would be it as he has gotten guys like Coby White, Patrick Williams and Nikola Vucevic to buy in on hard-nosed team defense. The Bulls excelled at creating turnovers, particularly in the backcourt.

On the offensive side, they remain plagued by “hero ball” with either DeMar DeRozan or Zach LaVine dribbling the air out of the ball for more than five seconds and then attacking their man 1-on-1. They experienced a higher level of success on that end playing through Vucevic, but that didn’t seem to always be the game plan, and it feels like player egos got in the way.

Managing egos is a big part of a head coach’s job, so there are clearly mixed signals going on when it comes to evaluating Billy Donovan’s overall performance. At the end of the day, he has been a decent coach these past few seasons and players seem to like what he’s doing, in general. He never calls his players out and he always has a slick answer for the media, even when it comes to the tough questions. He’s the perfect frontman for a front office that likes to operate in the shadows, never giving up the “company secrets.” He’ll probably be in Chicago for years to come.

The Players

Nikola Vucevic

C, Chicago Bulls

ADP: 40/35 (ESPN/Yahoo) | Total Value: 13/12 (8/9-cat) | Per-Game Value: 36/27 (8/9-cat)

If Nikola Vucevic wasn’t at the center position, he’d go drastically under-drafted on draft day every year. As it is, he’s just minorly under-drafted. Vooch continued to be an “iron man” for fantasy managers though, making it a point to play in 82 games this season. He hasn’t played fewer than 60 games in five straight seasons, making his totals value (and thus roto value) pristine.

Vooch struggled with his shot last season and that returned in a big way in 2022-23 as he improved to 52% from the field, his best mark in nine seasons. He improved his three-point shooting by 3.5% and free throw shooting by 7.5% compared to last season. Those improvements matched the eye test as he was getting good looks last season and just simply missing shots. That normalized this year, but the volume also dropped, so he wound up with the exact same points per game, rebounds per game, and assists per game as last season despite the better play. His defensive stats also regressed, but this wasn’t unexpected either. It’s hard to feel upset with a guy who reached first-round value in totals on the year, so if you drafted him somewhere in the third or fourth rounds, you have to be pretty pleased with his performance this season.

Vooch is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and the Bulls probably need to make it a priority to re-sign him due to their total lack of flexibility. That doesn’t mean he sticks around in Chicago all of next season, but it’s possible he does. His landing spot would do a lot to determine his value, but if he winds up playing alongside a group of shooters instead of the isolation-focused, mid-range-heavy Chicago Bulls, it could help him reach even higher heights.

DeMar DeRozan

SF, Chicago Bulls

ADP: 22/32 (ESPN/Yahoo) | Total Value: 23/23 (8/9-cat) | Per-Game Value: 30/28 (8/9-cat)

It would be exceedingly difficult for you to make the case that DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine belong on the same basketball team long-term these days. It has little to do with the offensive end, and everything to do with their inability to be competent off-ball defenders simultaneously. As a Bulls fan, I was imploring them to deal him at the deadline while he had his highest value. The issue might have been his contract situation as he’s getting paid plenty, but that becomes a better situation this offseason since it’s an expiring deal next season. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear them exploring that option.

From a fantasy perspective, it was more of the same from DeRozan. Points, assists and a strong free-throw percentage come in such a high volume he’s almost guaranteed a third-round finish as long as his usage remains similar. If he doesn’t stay on the Bulls, he’s likely going to keep that usage anyways since that’s his entire value on the floor (a high-usage, iso-heavy scorer).

DeRozan will be turning 34 though, and he’s already shown some signs that age is catching up to him. A couple of different lower body injuries affected him through several weeks in February, and overall DeRozan didn’t quite have the punch he had in the 2021-22 campaign. He still has something left in the tank though, and he relies heavily on getting to the line, so we wouldn’t worry about him losing his fantasy value entirely anytime soon.

Zach LaVine

SG, Chicago Bulls

ADP: 77/41(ESPN/Yahoo) | Total Value: 28/34 (8/9-cat) | Per-Game Value: 46/52 (8/9-cat)

Much to the chagrin of the Bulls organization and Bulls fans, Zach LaVine’s season was closer to the 2021-22 version than the 2020-21 version. LaVine just didn’t look like himself through the first few months of the season, but after the All-Star break, he turned on the jets, posting top-30 fantasy value on a per-game basis with 27 points per game on red-hot 53% shooting.

The “run-of-the-mill” Zach LaVine season probably lies somewhere between the past two years and 2020-21, so he’s a buy candidate heading into next season as people will likely fade him after two down years. The 3-point volume was down, but that was by design as he has made a concerted effort to attack the rim and get to the line. That should make fantasy managers excited since LaVine has been reliably great from the free-throw line for years now. He’s a solid third-round asset with enough variance to make him appealing for his big-game capabilities in head-to-head. The good news about 2022-23 is that LaVine managed to play 77/82 games, even after last season’s knee problems derailed his second half and led to talks of offseason surgery. That’s his highest mark since 2015-16.

In real life, there are a lot of questions surrounding LaVine now. Can you win with LaVine as your “superstar?” So far that answer has been a resounding no, but he’s also dealt with inopportune injuries his whole career, and when he has looked good he has been among the best scoring shooting guards in the entire league. The long-term extension means he likely remains a Bull for at least a few more years, though it was rumored the Bulls were shopping him at the deadline. Was that motivation to get him to play better or are the Bulls considering a quick rebuild? It’s hard to see them getting fair value back for LaVine until he proves he can be more of a two-way player, and contribute to winning basketball.

Patrick Williams

PF, Chicago Bulls

ADP: N/A/ 145 (ESPN/Yahoo) | Total Value: 98/93 (8/9-cat) | Per-Game Value: 145/131 (8/9-cat)

This is probably the third time this was written about him, but Patrick Williams made some nice strides this season. In particular, his shot release seems faster and he seems less hesitant to make a move on a closing defender. These are welcome developments for the 6’7″ forward who continues to shine on the defensive end as well. He has the size and strength to be a fantastic two-way player, but the offense still feels a bit on the raw side. The shift from the bench actually helped him develop into a more aggressive offensive player, though he continued to struggle to find his footing next to usage-monsters DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine.

He was a fringe fantasy asset this season as a low-end 3-and-D type player. The defensive stats will always be there as long as he’s getting playing time, so he’ll continue to be an intriguing late-round flier in fantasy drafts. He should be on your radar, but the situation in Chicago is unlikely to change and so he probably won’t see his ceiling for another two years at least. He’ll only be turning 22 next season though, so there’s plenty of time for him to shine, and his versatility on the defensive end means he’ll always be coveted by an NBA team, barring some major injury.

Alex Caruso

SG, Chicago Bulls

ADP: 139/125 (ESPN/Yahoo) | Total Value: 132/115 (8/9-cat) | Per-Game Value: 129/114 (8/9-cat)

NBA All-Defensive First Team winner Alex Caruso has more real-world value than fantasy value on most nights, but the real-world portion of his talent cannot be understated. Health is always a concern with the reckless abandon with which Caruso plays the game, but his ability to guard 1-4 and quick hands on the perimeter paired with a very team-friendly contract will make him a valuable commodity across the league. There are concerns with his streaky shooting, but the Bulls owe much of their defensive success this year to this one man.

The fantasy value is as up and down as his shooting, but he will always bring a league-leading level of steals to the table. He can be seen as a steals specialist with some streaming appeal when his shot is falling, but he’s too unreliable when it comes to knocking down the three-ball or simply suiting up to play the games. He’s a streamer with some nice end-of-bench specialist upside, especially for deeper leagues.

Coby White

SG, Chicago Bulls

ADP: N/A /142 (ESPN/Yahoo) | Total Value: 161/144 (8/9-cat) | Per-Game Value: 199/194 (8/9-cat)

Coby White really came into his own as a bench scorer this season, improving on the offensive and defensive ends as the year progressed. Before the All-Star break, he averaged just 8.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game, but after the all-star break, he averaged 11.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. He only started two games all season, but his efficiency rose with a career-best shooting percentage. His ball security also seemed much better over the second half of the season.

He’s not someone to consider drafting in most formats, but he’s someone worth streaming in a good matchup when you need points or threes. The Bulls will have an interesting decision in front of them with White’s contract expiring. He played a key role for them off the bench, but bringing him back might cost more than they’re willing to give him long-term. It’s clear that he’s not cut out for a starting point guard role, but any team that needs a scoring punch off the bench or in the starting unit would have to kick the tires on the UNC standout.

Ayo Dosunmu

PG, Chicago Bulls

ADP: N/A/136 (ESPN/Yahoo) | Total Value: 163/167 (8/9-cat) | Per-Game Value: 226/233 (8/9-cat)

Ayo Dosunmu quickly became a forgotten man in Chicago as the season wore on. In the final stretch of 20 games this season, with the Bulls needing wins to stay in the Play-In picture, Dosunmu only averaged 19.5 minutes per game. It was a bit of a surprising development after a strong showing in Summer League helped earn the starting PG spot on opening night, but Dosunmu simply wasn’t getting it done on either end of the floor. The second-year point guard saw a regression in every single statistical category compared to his rookie season. That can’t be good news for a guy who will be seeking a new deal this offseason.

The Bulls probably have enough incentive to extend the qualifying offer to Ayo, but it’s hard to see a lot of value in giving him a bigger deal when he’s already 24 and hasn’t proven he can be consistently good on both ends of the floor.

For fantasy purposes, it’s best to leave Ayo on the wire. He had a nice stretch with assists in his rookie season, but it’s hard to see him stepping into a larger role anytime soon barring injuries or finding himself in a situation where a team is tanking.

Patrick Beverley

PG, Chicago Bulls

ADP: N/A / 138 (ESPN/Yahoo) | Total Value: 183/168 (8/9-cat) | Per-Game Value: 187/174 (8/9-cat)

Patrick Beverley once again found himself in the Play-In and “Play-In Pat” was able to pull out at least one win. In all seriousness, Pat Bev was just what the doctor ordered for the struggling Bulls backcourt when they scooped him off the buyout market. His poise on offense and leadership on defense were game-changers for the Bulls as they managed to have a decent record with the veteran guard. He wasn’t afraid to call out the defensive failings of big man Nikola Vucevic or encourage Zach LaVine to shoot every shot he wanted.

He wasn’t a bad waiver wire pickup towards the end of the season in fantasy basketball, providing a nice source of threes, assists, and steals. The production, as always, was as volatile as Pat’s many moods, but in the long run, he was able to put up borderline standard league value. There’s no telling where his next stop will be, but it will likely be with a contender and that will limit his opportunities. He’s not a guy that should be on your radar unless he finds himself in an ideal situation again.

Andre Drummond

C, Chicago Bulls

ADP: 138 /134 (ESPN/Yahoo) | Total Value: 248/260 (8/9-cat) | Per-Game Value: 269/283 (8/9-cat)

There was some limited buzz in the preseason as Andre Drummond showcased a confident 3-point jumper and improved free throw stroke, but that did not translate to the regular season. Drummond will likely finish out his career as a situational backup center, with the one-off game where he showcases his ability to rack up stats in limited minutes. Nikola Vucevic made it a point to play 82 games all year, so we weren’t blessed with a Drummond explosion this season. His inability to finish at the rim is absolutely maddening sometimes.

Drummond is a non-factor in most leagues but can make for a decent streamer if you’re in need of rebounds and don’t care about the poor free-throw percentage.

Derrick Jones Jr.

SF, Chicago Bulls

ADP: N/A / N/A (ESPN/Yahoo) | Total Value: 285/272 (8/9-cat) | Per-Game Value: 343/316 (8/9-cat)

The Bulls’ small-ball center gets situational minutes and he produces just fine for that role. It’s not enough for fantasy leagues though. He did shoot the three-ball at a career-high clip this season but only saw 14 minutes per game.

Javonte Green

PF, Chicago Bulls

ADP: N/A / N/A (ESPN/Yahoo) | Total Value: 342/328 (8/9-cat) | Per-Game Value: 264/253 (8/9-cat)

Javonte Green spent most of the season on the sidelines after undergoing arthroscopic debridement to remedy a bone bruise in his right knee. The Bulls hoped he could make it back to the court before the conclusion of the regular season, but treatment did not go well and he saw limited action. When Green has been healthy, he’s been a big boost in terms of energy and hustle, but he’s not really a great player for fantasy basketball. He’ll be turning 30 next season and will be an unrestricted free agent. He might earn another contract, but he won’t be a focal point for any team he might land on.

Dalen Terry

SF, Chicago Bulls

ADP: N/A / N/A (ESPN/Yahoo) | Total Value: 421/409 (8/9-cat) | Per-Game Value: 484/469 (8/9-cat)

Dalen Terry should be on your radar if you’re in a dynasty league. He has flashed an ability to be a primary playmaker for the Windy City Bulls in the G League and has excellent court vision and size. He also brings an infectious energy when he steps on the floor. However, the Bulls seem to be handling him with kid gloves for now. Perhaps he gets more playing time next season, but for now, he’s safely off the fantasy radar in a vast majority of leagues. It is interesting to note that Dalen is representing the Bulls at the draft lottery, but it’s hard to read into that to determine if they’re invested in him long-term or not.

Carlik Jones

PG, Chicago Bulls

ADP: N/A / 141 (ESPN/Yahoo) | Total Value: 504/502 (8/9-cat) | Per-Game Value: 499/501 (8/9-cat)

After being named the G League MVP, the Bulls rewarded Carlik Jones with a standard NBA contract. It’s a nice story, but Jones did not play any role for the Bulls after being “promoted.” He’s not someone to monitor.

Marko Simonovic

C, Chicago Bulls

ADP: N/A / N/A (ESPN/Yahoo) | Total Value: 536/533 (8/9-cat) | Per-Game Value: 534/532 (8/9-cat)

Marko Simonovic puts up decent stat lines in the  -League, but his inability to play any semblance of defense means he might be a lost cause when it comes to the NBA. If he does make a roster somewhere, he’ll likely serve as emergency depth. He’s not someone to roster and may not be in the league once his current contract is up.

Fantasy Star

This year I have to give this honor to Nikola Vucevic for being a complete iron man and showing up in 82 games this season. Vooch was one of only 10 players to achieve this in the 2022-23 season, and it’s fun to note the Bulls actually had two of the 10 players who reached this mark with the other being Patrick Williams. Vooch isn’t quite the top-20 fantasy beast he was in Orlando for years, but his improvements in field goal percentage, 3-point percentage, and free-throw percentage over last season went a long way toward hushing the crowd that was starting to say he had lost his ability to play at a high level. The shots fell this year and he was about as reliable as they come with very few duds.

Fantasy Letdown

Zach LaVine will take this dubious honor, though it’s a bit unfair since he was really good after the All-Star break. Still, the first several months of the season were a slog as we all waited for him to regain a bit of that efficiency he had two seasons ago. At least he played in 77 games this season, and he started to get to and finish at the rim with more regularity as the season wore on. Hopefully, this means we’re in for a Zach LaVine explosion next season for fantasy even while real-world question marks remain about his ability to lead a winning team. LaVine’s 3-point shooting and points need to rebound next year for us to trust him again, and that’s not entirely out of the question.

One to Watch

Patrick Williams was a popular late-round flier this season, but he might just be primed for a leap with the improved speed of his shot release and his added aggression on the offensive end. He’ll have a reliable place in the league for years with his size and ability to switch 1-4 on the defensive end, and he has a very nice-looking shot. The ballhandling is coming along as well. Don’t take the demotion to the bench too much to heart as it had more to do with Pat’s fit next to high-usage guys like Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan.

One Burning Question

Will the Bulls enter a rebuild? They’re likely in a holding pattern until the draft lottery shakes out. They’ll be hoping to strike gold there as they owe their pick to Orlando if it is outside the top-4. If they don’t hit the lotto, it’s hard to see how they can add any important pieces since they’re hamstrung by the contracts on their current roster. If they re-sign Nikola Vucevic to open the summer, it’s a clear signal they’re going to be running this back with the same squad and hoping against hope that Lonzo Ball can return from an injury that… no one has returned from. It’s a bleak situation, to say the least. The Bulls do have the option of simply moving on from Zach LaVine and/or DeMar DeRozan though. DeMar’s contract is an expiring deal and there’s sure to be plenty of interest in LaVine around the league after his strong play down the stretch last season and the lengthy extension. It’s a lot of money, but the scoring guard could be the missing piece for a contender. There’s a lot of pressure on Arturas Karnisovas after he failed to add shooting to this team for multiple years and didn’t deliver on the optimism the Bulls carried over from the 2021-22 campaign. The Bulls preached “continuity” this past offseason, but it’s going to be hard to sell that line again to this fanbase.