At this point of the regular season, first-year head coach Billy Donovan and the Chicago Bulls look to be attempting a real playoff push for the first time since the 2016-17 season. In the midst of what was the fourth year of a topsy turvy rebuild, the Bulls currently sport a record of 22-29.
Following their April 9 road loss to star point guard Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks as part of a second half letdown, the Bulls are still eyeing a lower seed in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Or it could be the Bulls taking part in the play-in tournament next month if they finish the regular season between the 7-10 seeds in the East (they currently sit in 10th).
That loss to the Hawks entering the weekend snapped a three-game winning streak for the Bulls. And it was a shame to see a 50-point scoring night for star shooting guard Zach LaVine go by the wayside. But the Bulls just weren’t good enough when it mattered most down the stretch, as the Hawks largely dominated in the second half.
Further improvements ahead for the Chicago Bulls?
It’s hard to say that the Bulls still sit in the midst of the fourth year of the rebuild this season, though. All of the moves that the new front office regime made at the trade deadline back on March 25 made this roster a legit playoff contender in the East.
There could also be more changes to the roster construction just around the corner next offseason. The Bulls have a much better looking roster at this point of the regular season than they did before the turn of the calendar year. But more change could be needed to get them to be a true contender in the East in the coming years.
With that in mind, here’s a look into three of the contracts that the Bulls should shed if possible come next offseason.