Bulls' Blueprint to Regain Contender Status in 2024

The Chicago Bulls aren't winning the 2024 NBA title.

Scorching hot take there, I know.

When your best-case scenario involves escaping the play-in tournament—perhaps needing a pair of victories to do so—and making a top seed sweat during your first-round series loss, contending clearly isn't in the cards.

The lack of a championship ceiling is why so many have called for the Bulls to blow it up, but what if the organization's unwavering (and arguably stubborn) commitment to this core actually paid off with a shot at contention as soon as next season?

That isn't a likely scenario, but let's at least entertain the possibility by identifying what would need to happen for Chicago to pull this off. One (sad) note before getting started, though: We couldn't bring ourselves to include the return of a healthy Lonzo Ball as a part of this blueprint. While that would be objectively awesome to see, he's simply missed too much time (two-plus seasons and counting) for us to seriously factor that into this equation.

Bring Back DeMar DeRozan

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CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 18: DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls handles the ball during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on March 18, 2024 at 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

If the Bulls are aiming to maximize their competitiveness for next season, then re-signing DeMar DeRozan would be a no-brainer.

The 34-year-old has been Chicago's most consistent offensive contributor since arriving in August 2021. He has averaged at least 23.2 points and 4.9 assists while shooting 47.5-plus percent from the field in all three seasons. Only six other players have posted a stat line of 23 points, four assists and 47 percent shooting in each of those campaigns, per StatHead Basketball.

DeRozan has also proved to be ridiculously reliable in major moments. This is his third consecutive season tallying the league's second-most clutch points, per NBA.com. And his efficiency has been every bit as impressive as his volume, as his current clutch shooting slash sits at 51.6/50/87.7.

If Chicago wants to win, he is the kind of talent who can help make that happen.

Trade Zach LaVine for a Better Fit

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TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 18: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls look on against the Toronto Raptors during the first half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on January 18, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/Getty Images)

On the surface, the idea of a Zach LaVine trade feels like it would move Chicago further away from winning. He is one of the more dynamic offensive talents in this league, as his per-game averages since the start of 2018-19 include 24.7 points and 4.4 assists with a 47.5/38.5/83.8 shooting slash.

But his stat lines have never included the most substance. For instance, this is his 10th NBA season and the eighth in which his team has played better without him.

Plus, he's had trouble staying healthy, and his contract ranks among basketball's biggest overpays.

There are a million different reasons for the Bulls to trade LaVine, which K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago reported they "will look to" do, but one of the most significant is the fact he just isn't a great fit for this roster. With offensive options like DeRozan, Coby White and Nikola Vučević, the Bulls can get by without LaVine's scoring and shot-creation, especially if doing so meant improving their backcourt defense.

More Shooting and More Defense

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 7: Head Coach Billy Donovan and Coby White #0 of the Chicago Bulls talk between plays in the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on March 7, 2024 in San Francisco, California. 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 Kavin Mistry/Getty Images)

The Bulls are ostensibly built to win with offense. That would be a lot easier to do if they had the kind of quantity-plus-quality shooters who could help improve their offensive efficiency, which ranks a forgettable 19th on the season, per NBA.com.

Chicago is a bottom-third offense by three-pointers made (11.7 per game, 25th) and attempted (32.7, 22nd). Cranking up the volume of this long-range attack would have all kinds of benefits, from improving the math of this offense to creating better spacing for the club's inside-the-arc attackers.

Upping the efficiency could make this a good offense, but greatness probably isn't in the cards, so the Bulls should focus on strengthening the defense, too. It has technically been their better end of the floor, but the 16th spot in efficiency rankings isn't moving the needle.

If Chicago can make these upgrades in tandem by finding the always coveted three-and-D types of players, that would make life easier on the top talents and improve the overall depth. Maximizing their star power and bolstering the middle and back end of their rotation feel like the Bulls' best bets for spiking their ceiling for the 2024-25 season.