Chicago Bulls: Why silence at deadline speaks volumes to the future

Goals for the second half

The second-half goal for the season will be making the playoffs as the Bulls remain three games out of the 8th seed in the East. Chicago is currently 10th in the standings, trailing the Orlando Magic who is 22-31 as the 8th seed, and Brooklyn Nets as the 7th seed with a 23-28 record. The Washington Wizards are one-spot, and a half-game ahead of the Bulls at 18-32.

The Detroit Pistons (19-36) and New York Knicks (17-36) were sellers at the deadline, while the Atlanta Hawks (14-39) and Cleveland Cavaliers (13-39) were buyers in the playoff race. Only Chicago and Charlotte (16-36) remained quiet at the deadline as they both chose to hold onto the future cores they currently possess.

The Bulls have the 9th toughest strength of schedule (.520) overall, and the fourth-hardest in the East trailing the Pistons (3rd, .526), Celtics (4th, .527), and Bucks (8th, .522). Chicago has 29 total games remaining with two before the All-Star break in Philadelphia and Washington. 15 of the last 27 remaining games coming against Eastern Conference opponents, and nine games against the 7th-seed or worse.

Two teams with losing records are certainly making the playoffs in the East, and why shouldn’t it be Chicago? The Bulls main injured players, Carter Jr, Markannen, and Otto Porter Jr. all hope to be back by the end of February and that should excite Bulls fans for the second half of the season.