The rebuild is on in Chi-town. Following the Zach LaVine blockbuster, a new era has begun for the Chicago Bulls. Even though 34-year-old Nikola Vucevic somehow remains on the roster, he's the only player clearing the 30-year-old threshold. The rest of the Bulls' core is 27 or younger. If you exclude the recently-extended Lonzo Ball, there's an argument that Ayo Dosunmu is the eldest core member at 25.
With so many youngsters assuming larger roles, especially after Chicago's leading scorer was traded ahead of the deadline, reputations will be cemented, future roles beyond this season will be assessed, and contracts will be earned as the season's official second-half is underway.
The Bulls feature numerous players whose futures are undetermined. Perhaps the biggest question mark won't even appear on the list because he signed a five-year, $90 million extension last June. Whether Billy Donovan likes it or not, Patrick Williams is a part of Chicago's future. However, aside from Williams, several players with two seasons or fewer remaining on their contracts are fighting for their survival as the season winds down.
4 Players entering make-or-break second halves of the season
4. Tre Jones
First up is one of the Bulls' newest additions—Tre Jones. The 6-foot-1 floor general spent four seasons in San Antonio before being included in the trade that sent LaVine to the Sacramento Kings. The Duke product has averaged 8.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game throughout his career.
After an impressive third season in the NBA, where Jones averaged 12.9 points and 6.6 assists per contest as a starter, San Antonio rewarded his strong play with a two-year, $19 million pact. The following season, as a part-time starter, Jones's averages decreased to 10.0 points and 6.2 assists, although he upped his efficiency.
Then came the point guard's worst professional season. San Antonio prioritized improving its backcourt last offseason, signing Chris Paul in free agency and drafting Stephon Castle with the fourth-overall pick. As a result of the new additions, Jones was thrust into a reserve role. Thus, the 25-year-olds' impact declined considerably. Jones averages only 4.4 points and 3.7 assists in 16.1 minutes per game.
In the second season of the two-year contract he signed in 2023, Jones will need to up his game to attract suitors come July. As it stands, Jones is likely looking at a one-year minimum-level contract. Jones is a quality reserve point guard, but he's a non-shooter at a position where shooting is basically a requirement. Jones has never averaged more than 1.0 three-pointers per game.
Unfortunately for Jones, after departing a rejuvenated backcourt in San Antonio, he joins a Chicago backcourt flush with high draft picks and quality point guards. There's not much margin for error for the former Spur.
3. Kevin Huerter
Yet another new addition, Kevin Huerter, is unlike Jones because he still has two seasons remaining on his contract. The former Sacramento King signed a four-year, $65 million extension with the team that drafted him, the Atlanta Hawks, in 2021 before being jettisoned out west.
The similarity that Jones and Huerter share is the significant drop-off in production in recent seasons. In Huerter's first season in Sacramento, 2022-23, he averaged 15.2 points and drilled 2.7 three-pointers per contest at a 40.2 percent clip. The following season, the 6-foot-7 wing's scoring numbers dipped to 10.2 points per game. Furthermore, his three-point percentage decreased to 36.1.
Huerter's second season in SacTown was by no means a disaster, but the decline was evident. However, his third season has been a downright struggle. The seventh-year pro averaged only 7.9 points and shot 30.2 percent from downtown in 43 games with the Kings. Huerter's points, rebounds, assists, field goals, and three-point percentages are all career lows.
Since being traded, the 6-foot-7 forward has been granted an opportunity to turn it around. He joins a team hellbent on launching triples and getting up and down the floor. The former strategy should do Huerter wonders. The Bulls are flush with floor-spacers and wizardly passers—providing Huerter with the chance to prove he's an impactful acquisition.
2. Dalen Terry
Now, onto the homegrown talent. Dalen Terry was drafted by the Bulls 18th overall in the 2020 draft. The former Arizona Wildcat was drafted ahead of Christian Braun, Walker Kessler, Nikola Jovic, Andrew Nembhard, Peyton Watson, Max Christie, and Jaden Hardy, to name a few.
Terry's contributions over the past two and a half seasons have been minimal. He has a career average of 3.1 points per game, and his career high is only 17. Deemed a promising rebounder and passer out of Arizona, Terry has failed to live up to expectations. He's never averaged more than 2.0 rebounds or 1.5 assists per game in any season.
On the flip side, Terry has lived up to expectations as a defender. Whenever Terry is the primary defender, his opponents shoot 4.5 percentage points worse. While his defensive ability shows in advanced analytics, his playmaking leaves much to be desired. Terry has never averaged more than 0.5 steals per game.
The former first-rounder will be 23 years old next season and on the brink of earning an extension. However, he's done nothing to justify a significant or even moderate raise. Terry will earn $5.4 million next season before hitting restricted free agency in 2026. Next season is the ultimate audition, but the latter half of 2024-25 is imperative for Terry to earn a rotation spot moving forward.
1. Josh Giddey
Easily the Bull with the most on the line is Josh Giddey. Chicago traded for the Australian playmaker following a down season with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Giddey requested a trade on the heels of a disappointing playoff performance that saw him get benched in the Western Conference Semifinals against the Dallas Mavericks.
The Bulls traded two-time All-NBA defender Alex Caruso for the then-22-year-old Giddey. In 49 appearances, all starts, Giddey has averaged 12.1 points (career low), 7.2 rebounds, 6.5 assists (career high), and 1.3 three-pointers (career high) per game. Despite the decrease in points, Giddey has demonstrated an improved three-ball, converting 1.3 per contest at a 33.9 percent clip.
Giddey's three-point marksmanship is far from vaunted, but it's inching toward becoming respectable. While Jones's lack of three-point marksmanship is somewhat passable because of his smaller role and rigorous defense, Giddey's is magnified due to his playing time and defensive deficiencies.
Is a player with multiple flaws truly worth a sizable investment? That's the multi-million dollar question. Moreover, are Giddey's strong suits enough to warrant a contract extension this summer? He's an otherworldly passer brimming with untapped potential.
Nonetheless, Chicago just signed a player with loads of talent who's yet to put it all together less than a year ago. Are the Bulls willing to make the same mistake twice? We don't have an answer for now. But there's certainly more convincing to do, and Giddey has 29 games to show the Chicago Front Office just how valuable he is.