The Chicago Bulls had a pretty modest offseason outside of resigning All-Star Zach LaVine to his five-year max contract.
Chicago added veterans Andre Drummond and Goran Dragic to help round out their bench depth, but that was about it.
With most of the contending teams in the East bringing back their core and others making big moves, the Bulls may found themselves in the same position as last season, if not worse.
ESPN put together their projections for the 2022-23 season, which landed the Bulls as the No. 8 seed in the East with a 44-38 record.
In Chicago, Zach LaVine got his max deal — but that was about the only major move the Bulls made this summer. Signing veterans Andre Drummond and Goran Dragic will fill out coach Billy Donovan’s bench, but it won’t get the Bulls any closer to breaking into the top tier of the East. Aside from DeMar DeRozan’s ability to recreate his magical 2021-22 season, the Bulls face major questions regarding the health of Lonzo Ball’s knee and young big man Patrick Williams’ ability to take another step in his career.
Friedell is right — Chicago’s moves won’t get them any closer to becoming a contender out East. And with the uncertainty of Lonzo Ball’s health and the progression of Patrick Williams, the Bulls may be stuck in the mud as a middling team.
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