The Bulls leading scorer next season will say a lot about the team

With DeMar DeRozan and his 24 points per game now in Sacramento, the Chicago Bulls will have a new leading scorer next season and who that person is will tell us a lot about where the team is headed. 

He only played 25 games last season, but Zach LaVine was the Bulls’ 2nd-leading scorer just ahead of Coby White. Both players figure to get more attempts with DeRozan gone, but which one ends up as the alpha scorer will be telling. 

History tells it that it will be Zach LaVine if he is healthy. He’s been a 25ppg scorer for most of his career with the Bulls and could be again if he is 100 percent and the #1 option. 

A recent article in Bleacher Report went against that logic and predicted Coby White as the Bulls’ top scorer next season. If that ends up happening, it could be good sign for the Bulls. 

This means Zach Lavine is gone or in a new role 

If White takes over as the leading scorer for the Bulls, it will likely be because LaVine is injured, traded or has accepted a lesser role. 

The first two seem more likely, as LaVine likes having the ball in his hands, and if he is in there, he’s going to get his shots. The trade market for LaVine is stagnant at the moment but could develop if he shows he is healthy and can still play. 

There is a chance LaVine will take more of an off-the-ball role with Josh Giddey and White doing most of the creating, which would be a positive for Chicago, as it would mean their young building blocks are taking bigger roles. But I wouildn't hold my breath on LaVine changing his game to better the team.

Josh Giddey and Coby White clicking 

If White leads the Bulls in scoring, it is also a good sign for his future in the backcourt with Josh Giddey, who is not much of a scoring threat and will need to do most of his damage as a creator. 

White has been better off the dribble than in catch-and-shoot situations in his career, so this will be an area he has to improve for him and Giddey to be a good fit. 

If he’s leading the team in scoring, there’s a good chance this relationship is working and can into the future. 

Zach LaVine being the primary guy again might be good for his trade value, but it won’t be good for the development of their young backcourt, so we should hope White steps up and that he and Giddey complement each other.