Bulls' insider uncovers team's hidden advantage for success

The Chicago Bulls haven’t won more than 40 or fewer than 39 games in three straight seasons. While the team has been stuck in a rut, it’s unfair to say nothing is changing. Over the past year, the Bulls have made a series of moves and completely overhauled their offensive philosophy.

For starters, the Bulls have injected youth into their previously veteran-heavy core, adding Matas Buzelis, Josh Giddey, Noa Essengue, and Isaac Okoro. All four thrive in transition, thanks to their athleticism and fast-paced, grab-and-go playstyles.

A season ago, Chicago ranked second in the NBA in pace and third in fastbreak points per game, while also attempting the third-most three-pointers. Just a year prior, the Bulls had been 28th, 26th, and 26th in those same categories.

With offseason additions like Essengue and Okoro, the Bulls are clearly committed to playing an even faster brand of basketball. At the same time, Chicago is embracing a more balanced offensive approach after years of three players accounting for two-thirds of the team’s points.

Three years ago, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic combined for 59.1 percent of Chicago’s points per game. Two seasons ago, with LaVine sidelined for most of the season, DeRozan, Vucevic, and Coby White accounted for 54.4 percent of the team’s scoring.

Chicago's well-rounded roster is its key to success

This past season, the Bulls’ top three scorers, Giddey, Vucevic, and White, combined for just 45.4% of Chicago’s points per game. Scoring is becoming much more dispersed, reflecting the team’s increased emphasis on roster depth and ball movement.

Although Chicago has shifted away from relying on high-volume scorers to reinvent itself, oddsmakers remain skeptical. The Bulls’ win total is currently set at 32.5—the fourth-lowest in the Eastern Conference.

In response, Bulls insider K.C. Johnson declared, "This is, to me, the easiest over in gambling history," referring to Chicago’s win total. He also highlighted an overlooked advantage that could drive the team’s success but has largely gone unnoticed.

Later on, discussing why the Bulls will eclipse 32 wins, Johnson said, "This team… It's not a great team, but one thing it does have is a lot of depth… That leaves a pretty significant second unit with Kevin Huerter, Ayo Dosunmu, Patrick Williams, Zach Collins, Dalen Terry, Julian Phillips…"

Johnson went on to discuss Billy Donovan’s uptempo philosophy and how it could wear down opposing teams. He made several compelling points that deserve attention. Unlike many teams constrained by today’s strict salary cap, Chicago boasts genuine depth, giving the Bulls a significant advantage in the regular season.

Moreover, with 10–12 players capable of making an impact, Donovan will have numerous lineup variations at his disposal to counter opponents’ game plans. Depth is crucial in today’s NBA, as shown by the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers’ deep playoff runs. While the Bulls don’t have the star power of those teams, their depth should still translate into wins.