(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bulls were supposed to be a playoff contender in the Eastern Conference.
Arturas Karnisovas was quite aggressive in making deals, and the early returns were impressive.
But Lonzo Ball’s injury was a major blow they were never able to recover from.
They failed to adjust or make the trades they needed to make, and it seems like they have peaked already.
With that in mind, Shams Charania points out the fact that they could be in for a tough decision in the summer if they lose in the play-in game vs. the Toronto Raptors:
“In Chicago, they’re for sure going to have decisions to make,” Charania said.
“In Chicago, they’re for sure going to have decisions to make”@ShamsCharania on the if the #Bulls lose the play-in… What will they do with DeRozan going into the last year of his deal next year, & Vucevic being a free agent?#RunItBack #BullsNation pic.twitter.com/1aAKMe0TYJ
— FanDuel TV (@FanDuelTV) April 12, 2023
DeMar DeRozan will enter the final year of his contract, and while he’s been spectacular since arriving in the Windy City, he’s 33 years old already.
So, will they extend him and overpay despite the fact that he’s likely going to decline?
And will he even want to be there if they rebuild?
Notably, they’re not likely going to get equal value in return if they trade him in the final year of his contract.
Nikola Vucevic has underperformed and will be a free agent, but he did cost them some draft capital, so will they just let him walk away and that’s it?
Also, Zach LaVine has made it clear that he wants to win now, and he didn’t always see eye-to-eye with coach Billy Donovan, so would he want to stay if they break the roster up?
Karnisovas and company will have to answer all these questions if they fail to make the playoffs, so they better bring their A-game tonight.
The post NBA Insider Hints At Difficult Offseason Ahead For The Bulls appeared first on The Cold Wire.