The Chicago Bulls are reaching the breaking point with this current group of players. There is talent among their younger players but none of them are ready to push for a playoff spot, let alone a championship. But the likes of Zach LaVine and, even more so, Thaddeus Young are ready now.
Now, you’re not building around the latter, but the former has turned some heads this season.
Many folks would have called LaVine a third-option or even sixth-man before this season when he earned his first All-Star nod and became a finalist for the Olympic team.
Conversely, opinions have shifted on Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter Jr, and even Coby White. The Finnisher has continued to be inconsistent despite the front office’s commitment to him. Carter battles himself as much as he struggles against bigger bigs. White probably has the longest leash but, truth be told, might have the lowest ceiling due to his (so far) limited skillset.
The NBA trade deadline is this Thursday and the Chicago Bulls could have some decisions to make. Build for now or the future?
Finding scorers like LaVine is harder to do than finding guys who can give what the three youngsters do. And Billy Donovan certainly wasn’t hired to be part of a prolonged rebuild. So perhaps finding the proper pieces to put around LaVine is in order.
These aren’t the standard Bulls-Lonzo Ball scenarios or the Aaron Gordon pitch from once upon a time. They can also pull these off this year.