Way-too-early prediction for Bulls’ 2023-24 starting lineup

Shooting Guard: Zach LaVine

If there’s one major takeaway we’ve learned from this season, it’s that Zach LaVine is genuinely one of the NBA’s most elite offensive talents. He got off to a slow start due to a lingering injury over the summer, but since rehabilitating it fully he has simply been undeniable.

Since the start of 2023, LaVine is averaging an incredible 26.9 points on 49.4% shooting from the field and 38.1% from long range. Since adding Patrick Beverley and being explicitly told to focus on scoring above all else, those numbers have skyrocketed to 31 points on 57.7% and 51.3% shooting splits, respectively.

Even if the Bulls decide to commit to a retool or even a rebuild over the summer, I feel quite confident that LaVine will continue to be a big piece of this team’s plans.

Small Forward: Patrick Williams

I’ll be honest with you, there aren’t many silver linings to the disaster that has been the Chicago Bulls 2022-23 season. However, they could find one over the summer if they restructure the roster and allow Patrick Williams to slide over to his more natural fit at small forward.

At small forward, Williams would finally be able to use his size to impose on the defense and create mismatches off the dribble. In his current role at power forward, Pat is used almost exclusively as a spot-up shooter in the corner to create space for DeMar DeRozan to work the mid-range.

Of course, making this move would necessitate DeRozan be traded over the summer. As good as he’s been for the Bulls, I think losing DeMar wouldn’t be nearly as negatively impactful to Chicago’s team success as one might expect. Trading DeRozan would not only allow the Bulls to net a few solid players and draft picks, but would also put LaVine and Williams in the best possible position to succeed moving forward and allow them to continue growing as players.