Chicago Bulls: ESPN gives team a harsh offseason grade

The consequentiality seems to be the focus of what could transpire from a big and busy offseason for the Chicago Bulls this summer. Although the Bulls have clearly improved the roster heading into next season, there are still some vocal critics of what the front office did this offseason.

According to the NBA offseason grades, team-by-team, from ESPN on Aug. 30, the Bulls didn’t have a great run this summer. ESPN had a pretty harsh grade for the Bulls’ front office of a C+. That was even a lower grade than teams like the Indiana Pacers, turbulent Philadelphia 76ers, and the rebuilding Washington Wizards received.

It was also the same grade that ESPN dished out to the also rebuilding Charlotte Hornets.

Here’s more on what this ESPN piece had to say on the matter of the Bulls’ offseason grade.

"I liked much of Chicago’s offseason. I think a four-year, $82.5 million deal for restricted free agent Lonzo Ball (via sign-and-trade) will age well as Ball enters his prime, and the Bulls got a protected first-round pick and a lotto ticket in Derrick Jones Jr. for Lauri Markkanen’s rights in another sign-and-trade.The third Chicago sign-and-trade, adding DeMar DeRozan on a three-year, $82 million deal, hurts the Bulls’ overall grade. Not only did they pay DeRozan far more than anyone else could have offered, they gave up a first-round pick and valuable reserve Thaddeus Young for the privilege."

Just like how many feel about the Bulls offseason, Pelton was high on the moves to land point guard Lonzo Ball and dish out power forward Lauri Markkanen for the return of future draft capital and small forward Derrick Jones Jr. Where he thinks the wheels started to fall off was with all that the Bulls have shelled out to land veteran stars like center Nikola Vucevic and DeMar DeRozan.

Chicago Bulls still have critics out there for what the front office did to get DeMar DeRozan, among other moves

Now, part of the problem for using that logic in offseason grades is just that. The Bulls traded the Orlando Magic for Vucevic at the trade deadline. It’s hard to see why that logic was encompassed with the explanation of this offseason grade and upcoming season outlook for the Bulls.

It’s hard to disagree that the Bulls gave up a lot to get DeRozan. But this was something that should move the needle for the Bulls and jumpstart the building of this roster heading into next season.

Considering it looks like the goal is now to make a solid postseason run next year, the front office definitely succeeded in giving head coach Billy Donovan more resources to make the playoffs. The Bulls are currently sitting on a four-year-long postseason drought that should be snapped in 2022.

Landing the likes of Lonzo, DeRozan, Alex Caruso, Jones, etc. this offseason should help the Bulls move in the right direction to finally get over that postseason hump. If this feat is accomplished next season, it would be the first time that star shooting guard Zach LaVine has made it to the postseason in his career to date.

DeRozan, LaVine, and the Bulls are set to open up Training Camp on Sep. 28. And then, the Bulls are set to open up the preseason slate at home on Oct. 5 at the United Center against Markkanen and the Cleveland Cavaliers.