The Chicago Bulls open the 2023-24 NBA season Wednesday towards the Oklahoma City Thunder on the United Center (7 p.m., NBCSCH).
After dropping their second play-in event recreation to overlook the playoffs final season, the Bulls have set a objective to advance previous the primary spherical of the postseason. That could be a vital milestone to achieve of their third season centered round Zach LaVine, Nikola Vučević and DeMar DeRozan.
Here’s what to know concerning the roster and expectations for this season’s staff.
What ought to followers count on from the 2023-24 season?
Starting lineup
- Coby White, level guard
- Zach LaVine, taking pictures guard
- DeMar DeRozan, small ahead
- Patrick Williams, energy ahead
- Nikola Vučević, middle
Areas of enchancment
The Bulls have focused three areas of their offense to enhance — 3-point quantity, free-throw makes an attempt and offensive rebounds — all of which hinge on their means to get into the paint. They have been a bottom-five staff in all three classes final season; any enchancment might elevate the offense right into a extra aggressive standing.
Staying the identical
The beginning lineup consists of 5 returning gamers, which suggests the Bulls will depend on particular person participant enchancment — significantly from White and Williams — to extend their offensive ranking. Based on the preseason, it’s unclear how the Bulls will considerably improve their 3-point quantity. On the plus aspect, including Torrey Craig and Jevon Carter ought to imply the protection will stay within the NBA’s higher echelon — perhaps even the highest 5.
Over/underneath
FanDuel has the Bulls at 37.5 regular-season wins. The Bulls gained 40 video games final season and are outfitted to enhance — I’d put their over/underneath barely larger at 39.5 wins.
Playoff prospects
The Bulls need to make the playoffs outright, however I count on them to get in by means of the play-in event after a seventh-place end.
Meet the roster
Lonzo Ball
No. 2, level guard, 6-foot-6
This will probably be Ball’s second consecutive season on the sideline as he recovers from his third knee surgical procedure — this time a uncommon cartilage transplant that goals to resolve the swelling and soreness which have plagued him since January 2022. Ball is just not anticipated to return to the courtroom till fall 2024, though the Bulls have but to formally shut him down for the season.
Jevon Carter
No. 5, level guard, 6-foot-1
A much-needed reinforcement on the perimeter, Carter will probably be a key rotational guard after cementing his position as a deadly defender with the Milwaukee Bucks. He was thought of for the start line guard job and will probably be a key secondary ballhandler. Carter shot 42.1% from 3-point vary final season and will assist the Bulls make a soar behind the arc.
Alex Caruso
No. 6, taking pictures guard, 6-foot-5
The Bulls protection runs by means of Caruso, who was named to the NBA All-Defensive first staff final season. Caruso is about to return off the bench after moving into the beginning lineup for elements of final season, however he’ll serve simply as essential of a task as a defensive anchor. The key for Caruso is to remain as wholesome as doable, as short-term accidents have hampered his profession.
Torrey Craig
No. 13, energy ahead, 6-foot-7
After stints with the Denver Nuggets, Bucks, Phoenix Suns (two) and Indiana Pacers, the versatile veteran is set to carry an edge to the Bulls on and off the courtroom. Craig will probably be an important rotational participant to push Williams at energy ahead. His keen rebounding and correct 3-point taking pictures are also anticipated to elevate the offense.
DeMar DeRozan
No. 11, small ahead, 6-foot-6
DeRozan continues to ship as a veteran chief and prolific scorer. He is up for an extension after this season, which gained’t change his position — lighting up the midrange and persistently producing as one of many Bulls’ two main scorers. But it would drive the entrance workplace to look at the way forward for the roster and the way DeRozan matches into its long-term plans.
Ayo Dosunmu
No. 12, taking pictures guard, 6-foot-5
Although his second season didn’t stay as much as the breakout success of his rookie 12 months, Dosunmu is in place to make one other leap. He will probably be an anchor of the second unit, enjoying largely off-ball guard alongside Carter, and can be a part of a powerful slate of perimeter defenders.
Andre Drummond
No. 3, middle, 6-foot-11
Although he didn’t at all times obtain constant minutes in his first season with the Bulls, Drummond is the staff’s most dependable participant on the boards, averaging 6.6 rebounds in 12.7 minutes. As a extra conventional middle, he had for use tactically towards totally different opponents, however he stays a dominant drive within the paint who can bolster the defensive-minded second rotation.
Zach LaVine
No. 8, taking pictures guard, 6-foot-5
After a gradual begin final season as a consequence of restoration from knee surgical procedure, LaVine is keen to helm the Bulls from the soar this 12 months. He missed out on an All-Star choice final season however ended it on probably the most environment friendly streaks of his profession. LaVine is poised to steer the Bulls in scoring once more, however he’ll additionally have to contribute to the offense holistically — particularly by producing extra 3-pointers.
Julian Phillips
No. 15, small ahead, 6-foot-8
The No. 35 choose within the draft, Phillips will probably be competing for each minute he can get. The Tennessee product is a high-motor defender who will make his largest impression by contributing to the smothering on-ball stress of the second unit. He additionally confirmed an eagerness to get to the rim within the preseason.
Terry Taylor
No. 32, energy ahead, 6-foot-4
A deep rotational participant, Taylor rounds out a smallish energy ahead group helmed by Williams and Craig. He performed solely 5 video games final season after signing a two-way contract in February however might play a bigger position within the second rotation with a smaller depth chart in entrance of him.
Dalen Terry
No. 25, small ahead, 6-foot-7
After barely cracking the rotation for lower than 5 minutes per recreation in his rookie season, Terry will probably be battling for a spot within the lineup. His defensive tenacity pursuits the Bulls, however his shot and playmaking have to take a big soar for him to see the courtroom extra usually.
Nikola Vučević
No. 9, middle, 6-foot-10
The third pillar of the central trio, Vučević has been constant all through 2 1/2 seasons with the Bulls. He performed in all 82 video games final season and stays a prodigious double-double machine — 51 in 2022-23, the second-highest complete of his profession — who gives a daily share of scoring. Like LaVine and DeRozan, his problem will probably be serving to the remainder of the staff produce a quicker tempo of play.
Coby White
No. 0, level guard, 6-foot-5
After snagging the start line guard job within the preseason, White is primed for a breakout season. His 3-point accuracy (37.2% final season) will probably be vital to bettering his scoring, however White’s largest contribution to the offense will probably be distribution. He spent the final two offseasons bettering his ballhandling expertise. Now he’ll be examined as a playmaker for the first rotation.
Patrick Williams
No. 44, energy ahead, 6-foot-7
This is a contract 12 months for Williams, who didn’t signal a rookie extension at Monday’s deadline. He will spherical out the beginning lineup on opening night time, however the former No. 4 choose nonetheless is combating for footing after underperforming in his third season. The baseline for Williams to ascertain himself within the beginning lineup is evident: pull his weight on the boards and show he can playmake and rating alongside the staff’s three stars.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com