Chicago Bulls: Projecting starting 5 ahead of preseason opener

Chicago Bulls key reserves

The bench does look to be much stronger for Donovan and the Bulls heading into the preseason this year compared to last. Karnisovas and Eversley made a lot of moves to continue to build out the talent and depth in this rotation heading into their second year at the helm.

It is worth mentioning that with both point guard Coby White and forward Patrick Williams out for the preseason opener against the Cavaliers, the bench will be thinner than usual heading into the regular season. That will slide up the likes of Dosunmu, second-year point guard Devon Dotson, small forward Stanley Johnson etc.

Here’s a look at who the projected next five up for the bench will be:

10. Javonte Green, SG

9. Marko Simonovic, PF/C

8. Tony Bradley, C

7. Troy Brown Jr., SG/SF

6. Alex Caruso, G

There is still some depth to note for the Bulls in the backcourt/wing rotation with the likes of Dosunmu, Dotson, Johnson, etc. in the mix. The Bulls also have sharpshooting guard/wing Matt Thomas, power forward Alize Johnson, center Daniel Oturu, and combo guard Ethan Thompson to note on the camp/preseason roster.

Depending on who Donovan wants to rotate in for more minutes with the starting unit during the preseason, it should fall between Brown and Caruso to see who the sixth man will be. Once Williams and White return to the lineup, though, the picture of who the sixth man will be could change in a hurry.