The Chicago Bulls’ season ended with a 39-43 record, placing them 10th in the Eastern Conference. They secured a Play-In Tournament berth but were eliminated by the Miami Heat, missing the playoffs for the third consecutive year.
The Good
Rookie Matas Buzelis:
Selected 11th overall, Buzelis was a standout, earning praise as the Bulls’ best rookie since Lauri Markkanen. His debut showcased a high ceiling, averaging around 10 points and 5 rebounds
Team Chemistry and Effort:
The Bulls played with strong hustle and chemistry, particularly after integrating new players midseason. They went 8-4 in close games and 2-1 in overtime, showing resilience.
Breakout Seasons:
Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu continued their ascent from 2023-24, with White building on his near-Most Improved Player campaign. Dosunmu’s playmaking and defense were vital as well.
Josh Giddey, acquired in a trade, emerged as a leader, thriving in clutch moments and averaging 12 points and 7 assists.
Draft Capital and Flexibility:
The Bulls own all their first-round picks moving forward, a significant asset for rebuilding. Expiring contracts for veterans like Nikola Vucevic provide cap flexibility for future moves.
Late-Season Surge:
April was their best month, with a 6-1 record and an 85.7% win percentage, driven by improved cohesion and a victory over Toronto on April 1 that clinched a Play-In spot.
The Bad
Front Office Criticism:
Trading Zach LaVine for minimal return and retaining veterans like Vucevic and DeMar DeRozan too long drew ire. The front office was called a “downgrade from GarPax.”
Weak Young Core:
Outside Buzelis, the Bulls’ young talent was ranked among the NBA’s worst, marking to have “the 2nd worst young core behind Brooklyn.” This limits their long-term upside.
Inconsistent Performance:
A 6-game losing streak and a poor February (3-8, 27.3% win rate) highlighted their struggles. They started 5-14 in 2023-24 and faced similar early woes, with frequent double-digit deficits.
Zach LaVine Trade Fallout:
Trading LaVine, their best player, for little return was seen as a misstep, further depleting offensive firepower. Combined with Patrick Williams’ costly contract and several injuries really highlighted the hole LaVine left to some extent.
