Chicago Bulls: 3 possible ramifications of missing the playoffs

Further constructive roster changes

Clearly, roster changes were on the horizon for the Bulls this offseason no matter what. Executive VP of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley proved that they are likely to stay very busy on the trade block and free agent market in the near future.

Landing the likes of rookie forward Patrick Williams, Vooch, center Daniel Theis, shooting guard/small forward Troy Brown Jr., etc. should be just the beginning of changes happening for the Bulls. And depending on what happens in the looming NBA Draft Lottery, the Bulls could get lucky enough to get another shot at a top pick in this rookie class. But those odds don’t look too great right now.

What does change with the Bulls missing the postseason is the fact that Karnisovas and Eversley might decide to make further roster alterations this offseason than they originally planned to. Players that are on contract years like fourth-year power forward Lauri Markkanen, veteran shooting guard Garrett Temple, shooting guard/wing Denzel Valentine, etc., might all be facing their final year in Chicago.

Markkanen is definitely the most significant of the Bulls looming free agents that sit on the current roster. He’s about to enter restricted free agency this offseason, and it really looks like Markkanen is playing his final games in a Bulls uniform. A hot stretch to round out the regular season, and a productive postseason, might’ve told a different story for Markkanen’s fate with the team this offseason.