1. Rookie development/see what the Bulls can find
Last season when it seemed like all hope was lost for Boylen and the Chicago Bulls, a handful of solid depth guards rose to the occasion. Solid play down the stretch earned contract extension for the likes of point guards Ryan Arcidiacono and Shaquille Harrison. Former Bulls veteran center Robin Lopez was also fun to watch down the stretch last season.
By no means were guards like Arcidiacono, Harrison, and the offensively gifted Walt Lemon Jr. NBA stars. Lemon Jr. is likely going to spend most of his professional basketball career either overseas or in the G-League. But he was a player that was fun to watch for at least four or five games when the Bulls were dealing with a G-League level roster last season.
This season, the Bulls really need to see what former Arkansas Razorbacks big man Daniel Gafford and former North Carolina Tar Heels point guard Coby White can do down the stretch. White especially needs to show some signs of improvement before season’s end. Making strides on the defensive end of the floor along with becoming more efficient with his shooting is important for White.
Since White is a solid spark plug offensively off the bench for the Bulls, he could also add a lot of excitement if he gets additional playing time in the second half of his rookie season. If the coaching staff starts to see White show that he is ready to be the starting point guard next season, that would be a marked improvement definitely worth the additional playing time.