This past season, the Chicago Bulls failed to reach their goal. They were eliminated in the play-in tournament by the Miami Heat one year after breaking a four-season postseason drought. Now, they are once again on the outside looking in, trying to find a way back into the playoffs.
So far this summer, the moves they have made have been with that goal in mind. Rather than exploring rebuilding opportunities, the Bulls have focused on bringing back key players and adding solid rotation pieces. Jevon Carter and Torrey Craig are both set to come in and make an impact from Day 1 in Chicago.
And according to Elias Schuster of Bleacher Nation, Carter and Craig, along with Alex Caruso and Patrick Williams, are set to make the Bulls one of the best defensive teams in the league.
“Both Carter and Craig are high-end perimeter defenders who will help Caruso plug up the obvious holes around Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan,” Schuster wrote. “Craig’s length and switchability will be a real asset in the rotation, while Carter’s pesky on-ball defense will give the Chicago Bulls another option to defend the opposing team’s lead guard. Let’s also not forget the continued ascent of Patrick Williams. While I understand he hasn’t burst onto the scene in the way that many have hoped, he has been an above-average defender since entering the league. Not only is he always a threat to swoop in for the weak side block, but he has the strength to battle with some of the game’s more physical wings.”
Chicago’s defense could be a problem next year. (In a good way.)