The Chicago Bulls' 2024–25 season preparations are underway. Media Day is wrapped up, training camps are in full swing, and the first preseason game (and win) is in the bag.
However, expectations still remain in a state of flux.
Even in an Eastern Conference that leaves space for teams to exploit, the Bulls don't spark as much of a threat. Yet, there's enough punch left in the team, even after the departures of DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso, that being in play-in contention come May wouldn't be too much of a shock.
Establishing a position of focus and gearing all attention to that pivot will shape the season in Chicago.
What Part Will Lonzo Ball Play?
The return of Lonzo Ball has been long awaited. Though it's still something we await, as Ball was absent for Chicago’s preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers with illness, the two-year wait when he does touch the floor will come with its only narrative.
Various videos over the last few months of Ball hitting jumpers, running scrimmages, and dunking are sources of optimism about the seriousness of the recovery process from cartilage and meniscus replacements in a series of setbacks.
With such a lengthy layoff, it would be understandable to be unable to recall how valuable—importantly, quickly—Ball became to winning basketball in Chicago offensively and defensively during the 2021-22 season. The playmaking that he was used for whilst in college with UCLA was more prominent—opening the courts for others in transition and splitting passing lanes in settled possession.
Without the ball, he was operating at an All-NBA level. He would harass and wander with smart pressure as all the best guard defenders do.
The level of impact that Ball can produce is unknown—the amount of time he has missed and severity means the long-term implications, and understandably, bar is set low. Nonetheless, having Ball back on the court playing basketball is a plus in itself, and with Josh Giddey’s arrival, immediate contribution is merely a bonus.
Leading Role for Giddey
When Josh Giddey spent more of the second-round Western Conference matchup against the Dallas Mavericks in last season’s playoff as a mere side-piece, it was clear a supplementary role next to MVP-candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn't suit Giddey’s game or the team going forward. So in came Alex Caruso (Chicago’s most valuable trade asset), and Giddey went the other way.
Caruso was a valuable trade piece waiting to be picked up by a contending team needing a defensive savant who can contribute to win-now basketball; whether Giddey was the best return is something that general manager Marc Eversley and head coach Billy Donovan could've gotten and desired to get, this season will tell.
Giddey’s Olympic performance demonstrated that he is a point guard with a greater share of the ball who has the talent to lead an offense. Given the wager placed on him, the question is whether he can develop into a capable soaring one—he'll at least have the opportunity to do so in Chicago.
Giddey’s ability to process offensive moves developing ahead of him is arguably his most impressive skill. It will be one utilised to an ample degree in what will be a more versatile system under coach Donovan.
The deficiencies in Giddey’s game still need addressing, such as the irregular shooting from beyond the arc or the capability to be got out as a defender. Both of those aspects which can be down to variance in plays and confidence in role, that’ll be no excuse not to improve at the Bulls.
Almost every play will be dictated in Giddey’s favour (with sprinkles of Coby White); it's on him to show off the personality in his game that wasn't unlocked fully in Oklahoma.
Rebuild or Revolution
The Bulls can look at their current situation in two ways: hit full rebuild mode or revolutionise the current crop. Obviously, one of those is more sensible than the other, but the latter still remains an option with the current veterans on the table.
Zach LaVine (29) and Nikola Vucevic (33) remain on the roster and are earning big. LaVine is owed $138 million over the next three seasons, far from ideal, given the organisation's initiative to transition into a side geared for a rebuild.
There is a natural push towards handing the keys to the younger guys, as highlighted with Giddey.
Draft pick Matas Buzelis unexpectedly fell to the Bulls' 11th pick in this summer’s draft and has shown in the early stages to be an astute pick-up that should turn into a high-value lottery pick in the next year or two. The forward produced a fruitful summer league, which showed a productive outing on both ends.
LaVine is the main point of contention. He is an effortless scorer with an All-Star pedigree, but his timeline and the one that the Bulls are building towards don't align. Just like Vučević, finding a trade destination that appeases them is proving to be the stumbling block. Ultimately, finding one before the deadline that puts the franchise in a strong position to keep next year's first-round pick, which goes to San Antonio if it's outside the top 10, should be the priority.
