The Chicago Bulls are rebuilding, and several players on the roster have to prove they are worth investing in longterm.
Expectations aren’t high for the Chicago Bulls for the 2017-18 season, and yet there is pressure on its young players to show that they are worthy of building around.
Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and Lauri Markkanen need to prove they were worth trading All-Star Jimmy Butler for. Former first-round picks Denzel Valentine and Bobby Portis need to take a step forward in their development.
It’s been a long offseason of change in Chicago, but at least the team has a concrete direction: Go young, get better, win later. That plan only works, though, if the Bulls’ young players pan out. That puts the pressure on them.
In the past, the Bulls have had a clear line of succession. Derrick Rose was the top overall pick and a blue-chip prospect. Following his injuries, he was made expendable by Butler’s emergence. Chicago wasn’t sold on Butler as a franchise player, and they traded him.
Dwyane Wade is still on the team, but isn’t expected to finish the season in Chicago. As the team goes younger, they aren’t building around the 35-year-old veteran.
So as the Baby Bulls approach the season, they know they are already fighting for their positions on the team. Who among them has the most to prove?