The Chicago Bulls closed out 2024 with back-to-back wins over the Milwaukee Bucks and Charlotte Hornets. Those victories did, however, come on the heels of three straight losses.
Then, the Bulls lost to the lowly Washington Wizards to kick off 2025.
That just about sums up Chicago's season so far: a few losses (including an awful one) but just enough wins sprinkled in to keep the team unnecessarily competitive.
As the calendar turns to 2025, the team is in all-too-familiar territory: barely clinging onto a spot in the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament. Exactly where the Bulls, as a franchise, should not be.
Here's a list of where Chicago ranks on a few major outlets' power rankings to begin the new calendar year.
Note: These rankings were all released before the Bulls' loss to Washington. Assume they've already dropped a spot or two.
NBA power rankings 2025: Chicago Bulls
NBA.com: No. 21
John Schumann's final impression before releasing his power rankings for NBA.com this week was Josh Giddey's triple-double against the Milwaukee Bucks, in which he led the team in points, rebounds and assists and hit a clutch three down the stretch.
The Wizards loss likely changed things, but alas.
Schumann does make a positive point about where Chicago could go in 2025. The Bucks win was the first time since Nov. 18 coach Billy Donovan had his full starting lineup available.
Still, the Bulls are missing their sixth man in Ayo Dosunmu and that starting lineup is -2.3 on the season.
ESPN: No. 22
Jamal Collier of ESPN points out that the Bulls are on their way to having a similar record as last season. They were 15-19 on Dec. 30, 2023, and are 15-19 heading into a Jan. 4 game against the New York Knicks.
Chicago was trying to be competitive last season. Right now, it should be doing the opposite.
If you asked a random NBA fan on the street which team is supposed to be "tanking" to hold onto a top-10 draft pick, they may have no idea.
How Bulls is that?
The Athletic: No 23
The Athletic dropped the Bulls from No. 22 to No. 23 to start 2025.
Considering their most recent win at the time of publication was over the Charlotte Hornets, who The Athletic has at 29, and then the subsequent loss to Washington who they have at 28, there's a good chance Chicago falls at least another spot next week.
On the bright side, the only thing mentioned besides the Bulls' ranking is Derrick Rose Night.
USA Today: No. 21
Although these rankings have Chicago listed higher than most others, USA Today paints the bleakest—but most obvious—picture for the Bulls:
"The Bulls should resolve to pick a lane – go all in for the playoffs or focus on keeping their 2025 first-round pick which is protected 1-10; if the Bulls finish with the 20th-best record or better, the pick goes to San Antonio. Today, the Bulls would give the Spurs the No. 11 pick."
Does Chicago need to pick a lane? Absolutely. Are they on the path to picking the correct one? Clearly not at the moment.