The Chicago Bulls can't do this halfway again

Some fans of the Chicago Bulls are applauding the team's apparent attempt to rebuild, which started when they traded Alex Caruso for Josh Giddey.

But others are rightfully questioning whether the Bulls are really rebuilding or just stumbled into this option because of their own gross mismanagement. I tend to side with this group, as a rebuild seems like something that happened to the Bulls rather than something they chose.

This is the reality the Bulls face next season: They are not going to be good. They've lost three key players and haven't come close to replacing their production. The Bulls also have a top-10 protected first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft that they should want to keep, as the draft is deep with talent and the Bulls need it.

These two facts would lead you to believe the Bulls are tanking next season, but if they do, they can't do it in the same half-hearted way they've done everything else. They have to be all in or it will be a disaster.

Are the Chicago Bulls bad enough to tank?

The Bulls will almost certainly be worse next season, but how much worse is the question. They still have Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucecic but their roster won't be great even if those two are there when next season starts.

But will it be bad enough to be one of the worst? If LaVine and Vucevic are healthy, they might be enough to keep the Bulls out of the bottom of the Eastern Conference, which is where they need to be if they want top odds for guys like Cooper Flagg.

A lineup of Josh Giddey, Coby White, Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams and Nikola Vucevic, with the possiblity of Ayo Dosunmu, Lonzo Ball and Matas Buzelis coming off the bench might be just good enough for the Bulls to shoot themselves in the foot and either cost themselves a chance at a top pick or lose their pick altogether.

The Eastern Conference might be improved enough next season that this roster is still one of the worst four. The Wizards, Raptors and Nets appear to be in tank mode. Both the Hornets and Pistons will be trying to win next season and will almost certainly be better.

In the West, only the Trail Blazers and Jazz are real tank candidates.

So as of right now, it looks as though the Bulls would at best have the 6th-worst roster in the league, which would enough to potentially keep their pick, but might put them out of the running for a top-3 selection, which is the reward you are hoping for if your team tanks.

The Bulls need to go for it if they are going to do it by running out a young roster that doesn't have Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. They need to get their young players developmental reps and experience for one year, sink to the bottom of the East, grab a top draft pick and start their rebuild for real next offseason with assets and cap space.

Will they do it? Or will the Bulls do just enough to ensure another wasted season where they don't make the playoffs or have a realistic shot at the #1 pick?