The Chicago Bulls have started off their season 41- 29  and are looking like a serious contender for a deep playoff run and possibly a chance to go to the finals. This previous off season the Bulls made some key signings and hired Billy Donovan as their team’s head coach. Donavan has a lot of experience coming off of five years with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Donovan  finished with a record of 243-157. Previously Donovan also served as the Florida University coach and as the eight time championship Kentucky Wildcats assistant coach.

Demar Derozan had considered signing with the Los Angeles Lakers, but the Bulls were able to secure him for this year’s roster. 

“I’d be lying to you if I say I didn’t want to come home,” Derozan said in an article entitled “How close was Bulls star Demar Derozen to joining the Lakers?” by Nick Metallinos. “I tried to make things happen but it just did not work out. But Chicago was always in my top five. It was always on my radar.” 

Signing this all star did not come without a cost however, Derozan will be getting a 81.9 million dollar payout over the next three years. If his previous track record is any indication of if he is worth it, the Bulls franchise will most likely end up happy with this selection. Averaging no less than 20 points per game and several rebounds, his time on both the Toronto Raptors and now the Bulls have proven he is worth the hype.

This year in 2022 The two star guards Demar Derozen and Zach Lavine made the all star game. Demar was on team Lebron and Lavine was on team Kevin Durant. Team lebron won with a clutch shot by James over Lavine. However Lavine had 12 points, three assists and three rebounds. Demar however had 10 points, five rebounds and four assists. 

The Bulls also made some other moves this off-season, signing valuable building blocks moving forward in future hopes of winning a title. Former New Orleans Pelican Lonzo Ball was signed for a four year 85 million dollar contract. In 2020 with the Pelicans, Ball averaged 14.6 points per game, 4.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists. So far this year with the Bulls, he has averaged 11.8 points per game 5.5 rebounds and 4.4 assist per game.  

“Just come in and do what I’ve been doing my whole life playing point guard, leading the team getting things going on the defensive end, for sure picking up the ball,” Ball said in an article entitled, “Lonzo Ball is ready to run point in Chicago” by Sam Smith.  

The true leader of the Chicago Bulls is Zach Lavine. The team is best around him as he is the heart and soul of the team. In the 2020 season Lavine averaged 27.5 points per game, five rebounds and 4.9 assists. So far in the 2021-2022 season Lavine has averaged 24.5 points per game, 4.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game. From 2018 to 2021 Lavine has averaged over 20 points per game. 

Despite Lavine’s domination on the court, no player can win championships alone. Signing players to take pressure off of Lavine was necessary for the Chicago Bulls  future. Recently Lavine and Derozan, the two main stars on this Bulls team, joined Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen  as the only duo in franchise history to score 20 points each in seven straight games.  

“My ultimate goal is whenever I go on the court, I just want to be known as one of the best players,” Lavine said in an article entitled “Zach Lavine looks to unlock his potential next season” by Sam Smith. 

Lavine continues to work hard and lead this Bulls team in hopes of a deep playoff run and possibly contending for a NBA title. The Bulls franchise is no stranger to championships. Behind the Lakers and Celtics who have an unbelievable 17 championships, the Bulls rank third with an impressive six championships.The last time the Bulls went to the playoffs was in 2017 with a record of 41-41. However, they lost in the first round in the Eastern Conference. 

After losing in 2017 the Bulls took a turn for the worst. In 2018 they had a horrendous record of 27-55. The next year 2019 the Bulls went 22-60. In 2020 the Bulls were still bad with a record of 20-43. In 2021 and most recently in 2021, they missed the playoffs with a record of 31-41.  

So far this year, in the 2021-2022 season, the Bulls have started strong with a record of 41-29 making them fifth in a very competitive eastern conference . With new key players being signed and a new head coach along with additional optimism from Bulls fans, the Chicago Bulls are predicted to go far in the playoffs. In the future they may even become a contender for another championship, the 23 year drought without a ring could be over soon. In an article titled “Zach Lavine is confident about the Bulls future” by Luke Askew when Zach Lavine was asked about the Bulls future Lavine replied with “ we’re going to be good. We are. Not just saying that, either. You can’t let opportunity knock on the door and not open the door. But that’s the way I look at it. We could be something very special.”