Report predicts the Chicago Bulls will be worse this season

The Chicago Bulls made some notable moves in free agency which many believe would make the team better than the iteration than the squad that missed the postseason last season. However, a report by Dan Favale of Bleacher Report expects Chicago to be worse this season for a myriad of reasons.

Didn’t move the needle much

The Bulls made some low-key moves, such as re-signing Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, and Ayo Dosunmu, while signing free agents Jevon Carter and Torrey Craig. While the new additions would definitely improve the team’s three-point shooting and defense, Favale doesn’t believe it’s enough to make the Bulls a better squad than from last season.

“Nothing the Chicago Bulls did this offseason screams "Screwed!" Every player they retained is back on a reasonable deal, and the additions of Jevon Carter and Torrey Craig promise functional depth,” Favale wrote.

“Still, Chicago didn't meaningfully nudge up the three-point volume or playmaking of a painfully sub-mediocre offense. Another mini leap from Coby White would help the former, but probably not the latter,” he continued.

So many questions still

The Bulls’ lone All-Star from last season—DeMar DeRozan—will turn 34 in August, and since Father Time remains undefeated, it’s unclear how much production and improvement he can provide over the next few years. This and several other questions plague the Bulls’ campaign in 2023-2024.

“So much of the Bulls' system has revolved around DeMar DeRozan going kaboom in high-stakes moments. He ranked first in clutch win probability added during 2021-22 and placed fourth last year, according to Inpredictable. However, he turns 34 on Aug. 7. Regression should be the expectation,” Favale surmised.

“Nikola Vučević is unfairly scapegoated at this point and coming off a solid season. He will also be 33 on Oct. 24. What does his aging curve look like? Can Alex Caruso deliver All-Galaxy defense if he's playing more than 25 minutes per game?” Favale added.