After making the playoffs for the first time since 2016-17, the Chicago Bulls will head into the offseason looking to build a team that’s poised to advance past the first round next season.
For Arturas Karnisovas, Chicago’s VP of Basketball Operations, the Bulls will look to retain their core, including unrestricted free agent Zach LaVine, to help build ‘continuity’ going forward.
“I hope for continuity, because we’re competing against teams that have been together 3-5 years. Results come when you keep the same group longer,” Arturas Karnisovas told the media in exit interviews. “We’ll figure out what additions we need — shooting, defense, size, athleticism — we’ll sit down & figure it out.”
As the offseason approaches, Zach LaVine’s future in Chicago weighs in the balance. https://t.co/inaJ6CoKEa
— Lonzo Wire (@LonzoWire) May 2, 2022
Last offseason, the Bulls made quite the splash around the league, adding All-Star DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, and Alex Caruso which helped bolster their team around Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, and Patrick Williams. Those significant additions helped revitalize Chicago as a destination for notable, winning players.
“I was pleasantly surprised last summer how many people wanted to play in Chicago,” Karnisovas said. “The history of this franchise, the city of Chicago, I think anybody that steps into the UC feels the passion & energy…a lot of people want to play in Chicago.”
For LaVine, he is eligible for a five-year, $212 million max contract extension with the Bulls.
In a few months, we’ll see how much LaVine, and others, want to play in the Windy City.
