Projecting Full Season Stats for Each Chicago Bulls Player

The Chicago Bulls are loaded with potential as the 2013-14 NBA season begins. What are realistic projections for each player on their squad?

Will Derrick Rose's stat line be similar to what it was in 2010-11, when he garnered the league's MVP award?

How much will Jimmy Butler's points per game increase now that he'll play consistent minutes for a full season?

Who will be their most valuable offensive contributor off the bench?

This slideshow zooms in on projected statistics for each Bull. If Chicago stays healthy and produces in such ways, then the sky's the limit for what they can accomplish.

Mike James

Mike James is 38 years old and is currently slotted as the fourth point guard on the depth chart.

However, just last season he appeared in 45 games for the Dallas Mavericks (even starting 23 contests), and he tallied these per-36 numbers (per Basketball-Reference): 11.4 PPG and 5.8 assists per game.

James is more than capable of filling in when necessary.

Furthermore, his presence gives the Bulls the flexibility to trade Marquis Teague, which should be explored since this could potentially land the Bulls another veteran big man or a draft pick.

If this happens, it wouldn't be shocking if James finds himself playing important minutes at some point. Since Rose and Kirk Hinrich will likely miss games due to rest or injury, James could have some moments to shine.

Projections: 31 games played, 3.9 PPG (41.1 percent from the field), 1.8 APG, 0.8 rebounds per game and 0.3 steals per game 

Erik Murphy

Erik Murphy doesn't figure to log much playing time unless an injury occurs.

Coach Tom Thibodeau rarely plays rookies in general, and Murphy is a second-round pick who needs much maturity on the defensive end.

Murphy's primary value is his shooting ability as a power forward. He can space the floor off of dribble drives.

However, the frontcourt rotation is solidified with Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer, Taj Gibson and Nazr Mohammed. Truthfully, even if Boozer or Gibson face an injury, the likelihood is that Thibs would utilize Luol Deng at the power forward spot before considering Murphy.

Murphy should have a similar role as Brian Scalabrine and Vladimir Radmanovic in recent years, who only played when the game was out of reach.

Projections: 19 games played, 1.4 PPG (42.2 percent from the field), 0.9 RPG, 0.2 APG

Tony Snell

The Bulls' other rookie stands a much better chance of getting minutes, but they should be pretty sparse. 

Remember that it was just two seasons ago when Jimmy Butler was a rookie and couldn't earn consistent playing time. Snell's first year should look similar.

This is especially the case since Deng and Butler will mop up most of the minutes on the wing, with Mike Dunleavy and Kirk Hinrich cleaning up the rest.

Snell should see occasional action. He did in their opening contest against the Miami Heat because Deng and Butler were both in foul trouble.

Typically, his minutes will be limited, and there will probably even be outings in which he doesn't take off his warmups.

Snell should eventually become a quality "three and D" player, but this likely won't be witnessed until future campaigns.

Projections: 57 games played, 2.8 PPG (38.5 percent from the field), 1.2 RPG, 0.4 APG, 0.3 SPG

Marquis Teague

Marquis Teague is in an interesting spot as the 2013-14 season launches.

He's ready to be a steady reserve, but the opportunity for this isn't available since Rose and Hinrich are both active.

A trade involving Teague wouldn't be surprising. But, if he does remain with the Bulls, he should occasionally supply serviceable minutes, especially because Hinrich is injury-prone.

Teague has looked stellar in stretches throughout his young NBA tenure, but consistency and confidence have been an issue.

This could be apparent again this year if his role is constantly changing.

Projections: 49 games played, 3.8 PPG (40.3 percent from the field), 1.9 APG, 1.4 RPG, 0.5 SPG

Nazr Mohammed

Nazr Mohammed doesn't have much gas left in the tank. He is now 36 years old, and his aging legs are unfit to handle major minutes.

This could be problematic if Noah suffers an injury, because the Bulls could unquestionably use a more competent backup center than Mohammed.

At this stage of his career, Mohammed should be a third-string center, but he'll play on a regular basis (albeit marginally) unless the Bulls swing a trade that lands them an upgrade.

Mohammed won't impress, but he's at least a veteran with size who understands the game. That's his sole value.

Projections: 68 games played, 1.7 PPG (43.0 percent from the field), 1.5 RPG, 0.4 BPG 

Mike Dunleavy

Mike Dunleavy was inked in the offseason for one thing: shooting.

In 2012-13 with the Milwaukee Bucks, Dunleavy notched 10.9 PPG and shot 42.8 percent from distance.

This rate should specifically help stretch the floor for Rose. Dunleavy should play an extremely similar role to what Kyle Korver did for two seasons (2010-11 and 2011-12) with the Bulls.

Dunleavy should have some games in which he's an X-factor because of his hot hand. The Bulls can only hope that this happens with regularity.

Projections: 76 games played, 8.6 PPG (44.0 percent from the field, 39.8 percent from three-point), 2.9 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.4 SPG

Kirk Hinrich

Kirk Hinrich's biggest asset is his gritty defense, so his statistics don't reveal the depths of what he brings to the table.

Offensively, he's a prudent game-manager. He won't raise eyebrows, but he'll distribute the ball and also cash occasional treys.

The concern with Hinrich is health, which has been a problem the past few seasons.

Hopefully this becomes a thing of the past during 2013-14, because the Bulls can use his versatility (he can play either guard spot) in strategic manners.

Projections: 65 games played, 4.9 PPG (40.8 percent from the field, 37.8 percent from three-point), 2.8 APG, 1.8 RPG, 0.9 SPG

Taj Gibson

Taj Gibson pieced together an eye-opening preseason, netting 12.9 PPG (59.7 percent from the field), 7.6 RPG and 1.4 BPG in 28.0 minutes per game.

Gibson added 15 pounds of muscle during the offseason, according to ESPN Chicago's Nick Friedell, and appears poised for his best season yet.

He should cut into Carlos Boozer's time more than he ever has. Gibson's MPG has been slightly over 20 the past few seasons, but this digit should be around 25 in 2013-14.

There should even be contests in which Thibodeau extends him beyond 30 minutes, particularly because Gibson is a defensive monster who excels in Chicago's schemes.

If Gibson makes strides during the coming months, he could be in the Sixth Man of the Year running next spring.

Projections: 78 games played, 10.6 PPG (52.4 percent from the field), 7.2 RPG, 1.3 BPG

Carlos Boozer

Carlos Boozer is a prime candidate for the amnesty clause next summer, so he better make the most out of what's likely his last run with the Bulls.

We know what to anticipate from Boozer at this stage of his career. He'll yield decent offensive production, such as the 31 points he scored in Chicago's opening night loss at Miami.

However, it's no secret that his defensive limitations strain Chicago defensively. 

With Gibson emerging more and more, expect Boozer's minutes to be less than 30 MPG.

He'll have dominant performances like he did against the Heat, but he'll also have games where he never finds a groove offensively and, in turn, loses minutes to Gibson.

Projections: 76 games played, 15.2 PPG (50.8 percent from the field), 8.1 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.4 BPG

Luol Deng

Luol Deng is in a contract year, so he possesses every incentive to exclaim his value.

While he remains one of the best two-way small forwards in the business, he is now 28 years old and has logged heavy minutes the past few years. In a sense, he's an "old" 28.

Specifically, his decreased field-goal percentage in the last two seasons gives reason to wonder if his best days are history.

The Bulls need him to perform at an All-Star level if they desire to reach the NBA pinnacle. A key facet of this is him being a trustworthy threat offensively, enabling pressure to be lifted from D-Rose.

Projections: 68 games played, 14.7 PPG (42.7 percent from the field, 33.8 percent from three-point), 6.4 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.5 BPG 

Joakim Noah

Joakim Noah is an elite center, but the worry is his health.

If he can stay on the floor, we know he'll average around a double-double and potentially earn his second-consecutive All-Star appearance.

Because of his past struggles with plantar fasciitis, he could see his minutes dwindle. As a result, it will be tough for him to average over 11 points and rebounds, like he did in 2012-13.

Still, he should produce in convincing fashion, and he'll surely lead the team from an emotional standpoint.

Projections: 71 games played, 9.7 PPG (50.8 percent from the field), 10.1 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.6 BPG, 1.1 SPG

Jimmy Butler

Jimmy Butler broke out during the second half of last season, and he figures to play hefty minutes throughout 2013-14.

His undeniable strength is his perimeter defense, but his offense progressed significantly last spring. He shot 47.5 percent from distance after the All-Star break, per Basketball-Reference.

This situates him as a high-caliber "three and D" wing, and he may only be scratching the surface of his potential.

No matter what, Butler will be an integral piece to Chicago's approach, but he could become a dynamic two-guard if he continues his ascent.

Projections: 82 games played, 13.9 PPG (46.5 percent from the field, 38.3 percent from three-point), 5.3 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.8 SPG

Derrick Rose

While Derrick Rose looked rusty in their bout against Miami, he does appear to have his explosiveness back. This was evident during an impressive stretch of preseason games.

Rose should regain his MVP-form in due time, and his presence is what stamps the Bulls as contenders.

Rose should exhibit more patience in his attack, and this should lead to a tremendous all-around campaign.

It should also spark the Bulls to around 60 wins and a deep playoff push.

Projections: 75 games played, 22.7 PPG (45.3 percent from the field, 38.3 percent from three-point), 7.9 APG, 4.2 RPG, 1.1 SPG

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