Chicago Bulls: 3 young players struggling to find their game

Lauri Markkanen, Chicago Bulls Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Lauri Markkanen, Chicago Bulls Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
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Lauri Markkanen, Chicago Bulls
Lauri Markkanen, Chicago Bulls Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

A really disappointing first game after the trade deadline for first-year head coach Billy Donovan and the Chicago Bulls saw them fall short at the hands of the surging San Antonio Spurs and legendary head coach Gregg Popovich on the night of March 27. The Bulls were anticipated to come out of the gates strong post-deadline after all the moves the new front office regime made.

After getting a major haul at the trade deadline that included star big man Nikola Vucevic, forward Al-Farouq Aminu, big man Daniel Theis, small forward Troy Brown Jr., and shooting guard Javonte Green, the Bulls were handled by the Spurs last weekend. Their next opportunity up will be against yet another difficult opponent in head coach Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors on March 29.

The Bulls have the bulk of their schedule for the next few weeks continuing on the road, often against tough Western Conference competition. And despite superstar point guard Stephen Curry potentially missing this game due to injury in the Bay Area on March 29, the Bulls can’t take this team lightly.

Chicago Bulls needing more consistency from the core

Whether the Bulls have to face a Curry-less Warriors team, they need to focus on finding more success in the win column. And the major key to success in that regard is consistent production from the rotation top-to-bottom.

The Bulls have to stop keeping too much reliance on the likes of star shooting guard Zach LaVine. That’s why they got help for LaVine in the form of an upgraded supporting cast and the two-time All-Star selection Vucevic.

But here’s a look into three younger Bulls players that are struggling of late that need to step up soon.