If the Chicago Bulls front office can get it right by continuing to reshape the roster around their newfound core this offseason, then this team should finally be able to get over the postseason hump in 2022. Executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley have the opportunity to take advantage of a fruitful cycle of free agency to build around their new star duo of shooting guard Zach LaVine and center Nikola Vucevic.
What is also clear this offseason is that the Bulls front office will need to upgrade the roster for to-be second-year head coach Billy Donovan heading into next season. Donovan did help the Bulls get a pretty significant improvement in terms of record this season, but it was not enough to end the postseason drought in Chicago.
Finishing up with a record of 31-41 this season, Donovan and the Bulls fell just a few games shy of getting a spot in the play-in tournament in the Eastern Conference. Those 31 wins were still a nine-win improvement over the mark from last season, though, under former head coach Jim Boylen.
Chicago Bulls need to give Billy Donovan resources he needs to win in Year 2
The expectations are going to be higher for Donovan in his second year in Chicago. It feels like it is postseason or fail for Donovan next season, and with good reason. Any team in the East that has a budding roster led by a star duo of LaVine and Vooch should not be missing out on the postseason, especially with the inclusion of the play-in tournament.
And it’s not only the free agent market that the Bulls front office can turn to find answers for Donovan this season. Here’s a look into three offseason targets for the Bulls to help Donovan succeed more in his second year as head coach.