Chicago Bulls still face big challenges despite high expectations

When DeMar DeRozan sat down to address the press at the Chicago Bulls media day, he had one thing on his mind. “It’s all about winning and whatever we need to do, whatever we need to figure out to be a successful team, that’s what we’re going to do,” the Bulls’ new forward said.

“I don’t think I’ve played with as talented a team as I have since coming here.”

Using the ‘W’ word carries a lot of weight in the NBA. So often, we hear about rebuilds and development, growing and learning, much of the same language that has been associated with the Bulls in recent years as the team slumped to sub .500 records and missed out on the playoffs four seasons on the bounce.

But this season is different, and the team knows it. When Chicago made the decision to trade a young prospect in Wendell Carter Jr and picks to the Orlando Magic for All-Star Nikola Vucevic last season, the front office began a process of moving from rebuild to (hopefully) challenging in the postseason, adding not just a veteran scorer in DeRozan but also Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso and a crop of role players to a talented core.

The Chicago Bulls cut short a rebuild by making moves to win now and expectations are high ahead of the new season despite the big challenges ahead.

The goal for the Bulls next season is clear. Win. After sacrificing future development to make win- now moves by investing a lot of money into the team, the Bulls have backed themselves into a corner. But to what extent Chicago should, and can, win remains up for debate.

Chicago does not have the look of a title-winning team just yet. DeRozan and Vucevic both bring an added scoring punch to take the burden off Zach LaVine, and both can offer some playmaking from their respective positions too. Plugging Ball into the point guard spot is also a significant upgrade on Coby White, and he will bring plenty of playmaking, shooting and an ability to defend well to the starting lineup.

Even though winning is, and must, be the aim next season, the Bulls still have some developing left to do. Patrick Williams is heading into his second season and White his third. Both are currently carrying injuries but will need to play important minutes when they return and will face considerable pressure to provide what the team needs to contribute to winning basketball, while also trying to improve individually.

There are also considerable defensive concerns around this Chicago Bulls team. Ball can defend tougher assignments at the point guard spot, Williams has a lot of defensive potential on the wing, but the likes of DeRozan, Vucevic and LaVine are all below-average defenders. Caruso was brought in to try and address these evident weaknesses, but is Chicago going to have to rely primarily on outscoring teams rather than keeping them out to win the required number of games to make the playoffs?

In spite of these worries, a postseason spot has to be the minimum requirement for the Bulls this coming year. The front office has given up too much for this to end in disaster and another missed postseason would be nothing short of a failure of this project, especially given Vucevic and DeRozan have limited years left playing near their peak.

Head coach Billy Donovan was slightly more conservative in his media day comments than DeRozan, doing his best to keep expectations in check while acknowledging that bringing together a new team comes with its own unique problems.

“I am excited about this, but at the same point, too, I think the challenge for us is going to be how well we can gel and mesh together throughout training camp,” he said.

“To sit there and speculate how smooth the transition is going to be, I really don’t know. But I do feel pretty confident about the quality people that are in the locker room.”

Donovan is spot on. However talented this team is, it is still completely new. Each will have to learn about one another’s games while facing the pressure to win. The Bulls only have to look at the New Orleans Pelicans last year as an example of why having an abundance of talent does not mean a postseason place.

The playoffs are just a first step for these Chicago Bulls. What comes after that and how a team that looks of postseason quality but short of having enough to win the title takes that next step towards becoming a true contender is unclear. Perhaps it involves pooling what they have for a star like Ben Simmons or Bradley Beal, or maybe the team’s younger talent like Ball and Williams can develop enough to push the team over the line.

But for now, Donovan and co. must find a way to make this work.