Chicago Bulls: 5 players with rising stock ahead 2019-20 season

For the Chicago Bulls to run a more efficient offense under Boylen’s direction this season, shooting Guard Zach LaVine will need to play a vital role in that progress. LaVine averaged around 24 points per game along with 4.5 rebounds and assists last season. He nearly came up with an All-Star caliber level of production in the process.

LaVine took his game to a whole new level in 2018-19, but there seems to be more room for him to grow still as a two-way guard. The defensive skill set for LaVine still leaves a lot to be desired, but he did improve on that end of the floor last season. It seems like he is close to just treading water as a net neutral presence for the Bulls in defense.

But there is still this ora where it feels like general basketball fans and the national media don’t give LaVine the respect and recognition he deserves. A player that registered a 1.8 offensive box plus/minus rating while shooting 47 percent from the field, 37.4 percent from three-point range, and 83.2 percent from the charity stripe is not just a product of volume scoring on a bad team.

The true test for how LaVine can rise to the occasion on a potential playoff contender will appear this season. He’ll need to at least replicate his offensive production from last season while taking steps to improve on defense to command more respect at 24-years-old. How will he show out in a pivotal season in his young NBA career?