The Chicago Bulls finally have a team that can make a playoff run. They are coming off a disappointing season in which they went 31-41, missing the playoffs once again. The Bulls made great additions in free agency, which has set them up to make it to the playoffs.
They signed guard Lonzo Ball to a 4-year $85 million deal while making a sign-and-trade deal for DeMar DeRozan. The Bulls traded away Thaddeus Young, Al-Farouq Aminu, a 2025 first-round pick, a 2022 second-round pick, and a 2025 second-round pick. DeRozan will be coming to Chicago on a 3-year $85 million deal These additions pair nicely with the Bulls' All-Stars Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic.
The Bulls also added guard Alex Caruso on a 4-year $37 million deal. Caruso was a key part of the Lakers 2020 championship run and will be a great role player for the Bulls.
While the roster is looking good, the Bulls still need to add some role players. Here is the biggest need the Bulls still must address after the first week of 2021 NBA Free Agency.
Bulls biggest need: Wing depth
The Bulls have built a good roster but still lack some wing depth. They have built a nice young core over the past few seasons, which will be great depth for Ball, DeRozan, LaVine, and Vucevic. Patrick Williams and Coby White will specifically have a big impact as they will both play key roles. At the moment, it appears Williams will play the power forward position and provide great defense for the Bulls. White, on the other hand, projects to be the 6th man off the bench that can provide instant offense.
The Bulls also have Troy Brown Jr. and backup center Tony Bradley, who could be solid players off the bench for them. After those players, the others don't have much value. With the Mavericks reportedly interested in forward Lauri Markkanen in what would likely be a sign-and-trade deal, the Bulls could look to acquire Dorian Finney-Smith. Finney-Smith is a solid defender and was a good three-point shooter last season.
Last season, Finney-Smith averaged 9.8 points per game along with 5.4 rebounds. He also shot a career-high 39.4 percent from behind the arc. If Chicago can acquire Finney-Smith, he will make a great role player for the team.
Another option at wing is free agent James Ennis III. Ennis averaged 8.4 points per game along with 4 rebounds. He also shot a career-high from three at 43.3 percent. Ennis would be a great fitting role player for the Bulls and they should look into signing him.
Bulls season preview
If the Bulls can acquire one or both of these players, they are in a great position. It is the biggest weakness on the roster, and if they solve it, they could be real contenders in the Eastern Conference. The Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks will be hard to beat, but the Chicago roster is extremely talented. DeRozan and Ball should elevate the offensive production, and they have some good defenders already on the roster.
LaVine and Ball should be a dynamic backcourt due to their perfect fit. Ball is a defender and playmaker, while LaVine is a flat-out scoring machine. DeRozan can come in and be another scoring option, while Vucevic will look to be one of the top centers once again.
The Bulls are bound for great things in the 2021-22 season, and if they add wing depth, they will be tough to beat.
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