1. Bulls finish second in the Central Division
I know, I know, this is likely the hottest take I have in this list. But here me out.
The Chicago Bulls are entering this season with more talent and depth at their disposal than they’ve had arguably since the 2015-16 or 2016-17 regular season. That could lead to them making the playoffs for the first time since either of those seasons. Derrick Rose was still at the helm for the Bulls in one of those seasons.
However, if the Bulls do take that logical jump in the standings in the East this season with all the additions and progressions they could make, then a playoff push is very realistic. Challenging for the seven or the eight seed could definitely be in the immediate future for this team.
The Central Division is going to be tough this season. The Pacers are missing star shooting guard Victor Oladipo it seems at least throughout half of the regular season slate. But they still have a talented roster at the top. The Bucks are the Detroit Pistons are also going to be playoff challengers at the very least. The Bucks are going to be in title contention the way things stand now.
There is a path for the Bulls this season that involves passing up the Pacers and the Pistons in the Central Division standings. The Pacers are missing by far their best player for at least half the season and the Pistons are relying too heavily on star power forward Blake Griffin and his health to hold up. The only insurmountable team in the Central Division it seems for the Bulls is the Bucks.