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Chicago Bulls hardly represented in 2017-18 NBA general manager survey

By Michael Whitlow

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 25: Kris Dunn #32, Zach LaVine #8 and Denzel Valentine #45 of the Chicago Bulls pose for a portrait during the 2017-18 NBA Media Day on September 25, 2017 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Randy Belice/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 25: Kris Dunn #32, Zach LaVine #8 and Denzel Valentine #45 of the Chicago Bulls pose for a portrait during the 2017-18 NBA Media Day on September 25, 2017 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Randy Belice/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The annual NBA general manager survey was released by NBA.com’s John Schuhmann on Wednesday and to no surprise, the Chicago Bulls hardly showed up among any of the leading responses.

If you look at any prediction piece from this upcoming season, you’ll find that the Chicago Bulls aren’t among the NBA’s elite teams. In fact, there’s a chance the Bulls could be the league’s worst team this season. (1-0 in the preseason, though!)

Those bullet points were made clear after the annual NBA.com general manager survey was released to the public on Wednesday morning by NBA.com staff writer John Schuhmann.

Each year, every NBA general manager — yes, even Gar Forman — is asked a number of questions about the season ahead. Who is going to win NBA MVP? Who was the most underrated free agent signing? Who will win NBA Rookie of the Year? There’s a laundry list of questions for general managers to think about.

The Bulls hardly showed up in the survey. Like, at all. Even if you count the questions where Jimmy Butler and his move to the Minnesota Timberwolves shows up, the Bulls are hardly seen in this year’s survey.

Where the Bulls (and a former Bull) showed up in this year’s GM survey:

  • Zach LaVine was among those receiving votes for the question, “Which player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2017-18?”
  • Jimmy Butler came in second with 17 percent of the vote for the question, “Which one player acquisition will make the biggest impact?”
    • Butler was also tied for third with 10 percent of the vote along with Cleveland Cavaliers wing (and former Marquette teammate) Jae Crowder for the question, “What was the most underrated player acquisition?”
    • LaVine also received votes for that same question.
  • Jimmy Butler received votes for the question, “What was the most surprising move of the offseason?” The leader was the Kyrie Irving trade to the Boston Celtics.
  • Lauri Markkanen received no votes for the question, “Who will win the 2017-18 Rookie of the Year?” But, it was funny to note that Kris Dunn received 47 percent of the vote last season.
  • Real Madrid star Luka Doncic was the leading response with a nice and tidy 69 percent of the vote or the question, “Who is the best international player NOT in the NBA?”
    • #LoseForLuka, Bulls.

It’s really not all that surprising that the Bulls hardly showed up in this year’s survey. They have one of the league’s youngest and worst overall rosters to date. Over time, this trade could benefit the Bulls and the rebuild could truly be a success.

Next: Bulls fans comically react to report that Gar Forman could be getting new extension

But for now, there’s more questions than certainty about the young Bulls, hence why no one around the league is keeping an eye on them this season.

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