Names that appeared on the 15-man roster for the Chicago Bulls, when fully healthy this season, could carry some weight heading into 2020-21.
As far as the Chicago Bulls season went prior to the NBA going on hiatus, there wasn’t a whole lot to brag about. The Bulls racked up a record of 22-43 through their first 65 games of the 2019-20 regular season before the NBA season was indefinitely suspended on March 11.
The NBA season would be put on hiatus on March 11 thanks to Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert testing positive for novel coronavirus. Since then, a few different big name players tested positive for COVID-19, including Boston Celtics point guard Marcus Smart and Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant.
However, even though it seems like the Bulls have gone a year without playing a game already. The lag in time since the last game action for the Bulls traces back to just March 10, in a home win at the United Center over the Cleveland Cavaliers by the final score of 108-103.
There’s a chance that the Bulls might not play another meaningful game this season. And who knows what will happen with the 2020 NBA Draft. The wrench that COVID-19 threw into everyday is one that is tough for everyone to deal with.
What the hiatus does leave is time for Bulls management, coaches, and players to reflect on what happened up to this point in the disappointment that is the third year of the rebuild. Head coach Jim Boylen, vice president of basketball operations John Paxson, and general manager Gar Forman certainly have plenty to reflect on and improve.
Here’s a look into the five players for the Chicago Bulls that should’ve solidified a roster spot thanks to their play previous to the NBA’s hiatus, for next season’s squad.