With the Chicago Bulls 119-120 overtime loss to the New York Knicks on Sunday, their 2023-24 season has come to an end. While there is no telling if the Bulls will be a part of the playoffs (as they play the Atlanta Hawks in the Play-In), several Bulls players will be in contention for awards.
After a season full of ups, downs, and the breakout of several players, it's time to look back and award the best players on the Bulls this season.
1. Rookie of the Year: Onuralp Bitim
Of the three rookies on the Bulls, Onuralp Bitim has shown the most promise his rookie year, even though he's played very few minutes. After one blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance in November and spending spending much of the season in the G-League with the Windy City Bulls, Bitim joined the team in late February with this two-way contract being converted to a standard NBA contract.
He has shown flashes of the sharpshooter he was in the G-League, posting a career-high 17 points in early March during a game against the Dallas Mavericks. While his time on the court has decreased to under 10 minutes per game in the last few weeks, Bitim has shown his potential as an NBA player.
2. Sixth Man of the Year: Ayo Dosunmu
When Ayo Dosunmu was signed to a three-year, $21 million contract last summer following a down sophomore year, many within Bulls nation thought the deal was not worth it. After a slow start to the season, Dosunmu has blossomed into a true six man for the Bulls. Of the 76 games he's played so far this season, Ayo has come off the bench in more than half of his games played.
Currently averaging 12.2 points, 0.5 blocks, and 0.9 steals per game (all career highs), ayo has become a guaranteed double digit scorer every night that the depleted Bulls can depend on. It is clear Ayo worked hard to improve over the summer, shooting a career-high 40.3% from the beyond the arc, nearly 10% better than last season.
This season, Ayo has shown he is a great player to pair aside Coby White in the backcourt, whether the Bulls choose to move in a new direction or not following this season.
3. Clutch Player of the Year: DeMar DeRozan
No team in the NBA has played more clutch games than the Chicago Bulls this season. Chicago has played over 200 minutes in 43 games in the clutch this season, going 26-17 in those games. One of the best clutch players not only on the Bulls, but in the NBA as a whole has been DeMar DeRozan.
DeRozan has played in 39 of the Bulls' 42 clutch games, avergaing 4.5 points in the clutch (tied for the league best) on 50.0% from the field and 46.7% from three. When it comes to clutch situations, it is guaranteed the DeRozan will keep the Bulls in the game.
For most of the season, DeRozan was seen as the player most likely to win the award after finishing as runner-up in the award race last season. In the last couple weeks of the season, those around the league believe DeRozan's case for the award has been overshadowed by Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry.
While Golden State has only played 36 games in the clutch, Curry has been one best players in the clutch alongside DeRozan. Tied for the league-best 4.5 points per clutch game on 50.4% from the field and 47.1% from three, Curry's play in the clutch has kept the Warriors in play-in contention. While either player could win this award, DeRozan is without a doubt the Clutch Player of the Year in Chicago.
4. Defensive Player of the Year: Alex Caruso
Just Passing the 65 games played minimum threshold to be eleigible for awards, Alex Caruso will without a doubt land on one of the All-Defensive teams after landing on the first team last season.
While Caruso has shown significant improvement on the offensive end this season, defense is his bread and butter. This season, Caruso is averaging 3.8 rebounds and 1.0 blocks (both career-highs), and 1.6 steals per game.
Caruso's impact can be felt every night he steps on the court, being the hardest worker on the defensive end. It is clear that the Bulls are a much better team with Caruso on the court compared to without him. When Caruso is on the court, the Bulls hold a 116.9 defensive rating compared to a 119.4 rating in the games caruso has not played this season.
5. Most Improved Player: Coby White
Likely to finish as the runner-up in the Most Improved Player award race behind Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, Coby White makes a strong case to win the award this season. While the qualifications to win the award have changed in the eyes of many over the last handful of years, White's play aligns with more of the improvement of winners of the award a decade ago.
After starting only two games last season, White has become a key member of the Bulls starting lineup this season. White has improved in most catergories, jumping from 9.7 points to 19.0 points, 2.9 to 4.6 rebounds, and 2.8 to 5.2 assists per game, White has gone from a trade piece in the eyes of many to the potential number one option on the team.
One of the biggest attributes to White's growth this season is the absence of Lonzo Ball, but more imortantly, Zach Lavine. With Lavine missing most of the season, White has had the opportunity to grow as a player and get more shots on the court.
In the 25 games White played with Lavine this season, he averaged 15.9 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game compared to 20.5 points, 5.6 assists, and 5.0 rebounds without him. No matter what directions the Bulls go this offseason, White will remain a key part of the team.
6. Most Valuable Player: DeMar DeRozan
For the third season in a row, it can be argued that DeMar DeRozan has been the Most Valuable Player for the Chicago Bulls. With teammate Zach Lavine missing most of the season, there has been added weight to the shoulders of DeRozan. Even with Coby White stepping up, the success of the Bulls this season has mainly been attributed to DeRozan.
In the 78 games he's played this season, DeRozan has averaged 23.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. DeRozan has been consistent on the court, playing the most games of any Bulls player this season, along with being consistent in the clutch.
Every season with the Bulls, he has shown why he was given a three-year, $81.9 million contract and why he will likely receive another big money contract, whether its with Chicago or another team next season.