The 2018-19 NBA season was a year when Chicago Bulls fans hoped that their young nucleus would take the next step towards becoming a potential playoff contender.
Instead, they were dealt with early injuries, a change in head coaches and numerous defensive struggles as they finished with just 22 wins and the fourth-worst record in the league.
Still, there are some positive things happening in Chicago. Shooting guard Zach LaVine showcased the kind of scoring potential that could make him a star, and the addition of Otto Porter helped to galvanize second-year talent Lauri Markkanen. The team even seemed to rally around interim head coach Jim Boylen despite nearly orchestrating a team mutiny in his first week on the job.
Boylen was just given a three-year extension, and the core is all still intact. However, the Bulls very clearly need to make some additions to the current roster if they hope to make a playoff push next season.
Here are the three biggest needs for the Chicago Bulls this offseason:
1. A point guard for the future
While LaVine might pan out to be a future star, the same probably cannot be said for Kris Dunn. The Bulls acquired Dunn along with LaVine in the trade that sent Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the hopes that he would develop a jump shot to compliment his length and tenacious defense.
However, Dunn hardly improved in his third year, and eventually lost the starting point guard spot to Ryan Arcidiacano.
President of basketball operations John Paxson has been adamant that Dunn is still part of the team's future, but it seems like they need an upgrade.
The Bulls have the fourth-best odds for the upcoming NBA Draft, but climbing up to the no. 2 spot would be a blessing, because then they would be an almost-certain lock to select Murray State point guard Ja Morant.
In many ways, Morant would be a perfect fit. Another long and athletic point guard, his court vision is tremendous, and he is more developed as a shooter than Dunn was coming out of Providence.
However, drafting Morant would come with the luck of the draw. Chicago is likelier to pursue point guard help in free agency. Former Bulls star Derrick Rose is an option, coming off a tremendous season in which his per-36 stat line was eerily similar to his MVP season.
The Bulls also have enough cap space to try to sign Kemba Walker, who could thrive in a fast-paced playing with a bona fide scorer like LaVine. Whether or not they have the kind of roster to appeal to Walker is another question.
But one way or another, Chicago must find an answer to their point guard dilemma.
2. Depth in the frontcourt
Robin Lopez was not only Chicago's oldest player, but he was also the most viable option at center with Wendell Carter Jr. missing nearly half the season due to injury.
Lopez's contract is up this year (he likely would not have re-signed anyway), and the Bulls desperately need to find more frontcourt help.
Carter showed flashes of being a defensive menace with some offensive upside, but there is hardly any comfort with knowing that Cristiano Felicio is the backup.
The Bulls are unlikely to make a huge splash by trying to sign the likes of DeMarcus Cousins or Nikola Vucevic in free agency, especially given Carter's role as a budding starter, but they could look to pursue someone like Jonas Valanciunas (if he declines his player option with Memphis), Enes Kanter or even former Bull Taj Gibson.
Chicago has plenty of backcourt options, but they need to solidify the roster with dependable bigs.
3. Veterans
Sure, the Bulls are still grappling with the “rebuilding” process, but they need some old heads to hold down the fort, especially with Lopez on his way out.
Every team needs experience and leadership, even if it sits on the bench for all 48 minutes. The Bulls of old even brought Robert Parrish in 1997 for those exact qualities.
The Bulls could combine these needs by bringing back guys like Rose or Gibson, but they could also look to add a gritty, identity-based player such as Patrick Beverley, who is from Chicago and will be a free agent this summer.
Paxson and Gar Forman have their work cut out for them this offseason, and the fans have already been breathing down their necks for years.
Time to buck up and make some moves.
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