Predicting Bulls' Breakout Players for 2022-23 NBA Season

The Chicago Bulls were a force to be reckoned with during the 2021-22 NBA season...until they weren't.

At one point, they sat atop the entire Eastern Conference standings and weren't just rubbing elbows with basketball's elites, but looked like elites on their own.

Then, the injury bug reared its ugly head, the defense fell apart and Chicago hit the skids. The Bulls eventually dipped to sixth in the standings and were bounced out of the first round in just five games.

Chicago could have trouble reversing its fortune with the East looking as loaded as ever, and the same knee injury still plaguing starting point guard Lonzo Ball, who was a catalyst for much of that early success last season.

Still, the Bulls have hopes of exceeding expectations, and that process grows infinitely easier if the following three breakout candidates can ascend to new heights.

Ayo Dosunmu

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 11: Ayo Dosunmu #12 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles up the court against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of a preseason game at United Center on October 11, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

When Ball's knee trouble first started, opportunity knocked for Ayo Dosunmu. He wound up answering the call in such brilliant fashion that the 2021 second-round pick wound up as a 2021-22 All-Rookie second-teamer.

Exceeding expectations is apparently very much a part of the arsenal for the 22-year-old combo guard.

His energy and defense figured to shine brightest during his freshman season, and he didn't disappoint. By year's end, though, all eyes were instead on his sizzling shooting rates of 52 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from outside.

Much like Ball, Dosunmu leads with his defense and doesn't dominate the basketball. He takes shots when they're open but keeps the ball moving when they aren't.

As good as he looked as a rookie, there are plenty of paths to improvement. And he should have the trust of the coaching staff now to really explore them.

Coby White

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 11: Coby White #0 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles up the court against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of a preseason game at United Center on October 11, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Admittedly, Coby White isn't the cleanest fit with this roster.

His offense remains ahead of his defense, and his scoring remains ahead of his table-setting. If you were crafting the ideal support player to slot alongside DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, you'd want the reverse of both.

Having said that, White packs a powerful scoring punch, and Chicago should continue finding ways to use that to its advantage.

The 22-year-old is a fiery three-point shooter and aggressive finisher in transition. If this offense sputters at all in Ball's absence, White should have the green light to go get his.

Patrick Williams

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CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 11: Patrick Williams #44 of the Chicago Bulls looks to pass the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks during a preseason game on October 11, 2022 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)

Two years have passed since the Bulls spent the No. 4 pick on Patrick Williams, and in a lot of ways, they're still awaiting the return on their investment.

That's not entirely his fault. A broken wrist nearly wiped out his entire sophomore season and left him scrambling to scrape off the rust during his first playoff run.

Still, even when he's been healthy, the 21-year-old hasn't always shown the assertiveness needed to make a massive impact. There have been flashes of ignitable shot-making, but he'll need other ways to make his presence felt, too, since this offense only has so many shots to go around.

With his size and athleticism, Williams should be electric attacking the basket, slashing off the ball, crashing the glass and getting out in transition. Those are all elements he can get into even when surrounded by Chicago's stars, too.