Chicago Bulls fans will finally feel a real sense of optimism and hope entering a new NBA season for perhaps the first time since the end of the Jimmy Butler era at the United Center.
The days of GarPax are well and truly over with General Manager Marc Eversley being extremely aggressive in his attempts to add talent to this roster since taking up the role in 2024.
Last season they struck a deal for Nikola Vucevic at the trade deadline, giving up two first round picks in the process and although that didn’t prove to be a success in the short term as the Bulls missed out on the Playoffs, Eversley has now doubled down on building a Playoff contender.
The Bulls were one of the most active teams in the offseason as they acquired Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan in free agency to form what now looks to be a Playoff starting five next to Vucevic, Patrick Williams and star player Zach LaVine. They also added solid role players in Alex Caruso and Tony Bradley, as well as still having the potential sign-and-trade asset of restricted free agent Lauri Markkanen to add further assets to their roster.
All in all this summer has left many Bulls fans with excitement at the prospect of a first appearance in the NBA Playoffs since 2017 when Butler, Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo were on their roster.
The signings of Ball and DeRozan also serve as a reminder that this is a team in one of the biggest markets in the United States that can attract free agents if the front office is sufficient enough to make Chicago a destination team. Seeing how all of their moves fit under the tutelage of coach Billy Donovan will be fascinating to see and there will also be plenty of betting interest in the Bulls’ season.
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With gambling in mind, we have broken down some of the most interesting NBA Props associated with the Chicago Bulls and their players ahead of the 2024/22 season.
Making the Playoffs – 5/8
The absolute minimum goal for the Chicago Bulls this season will be to make the Playoffs for the first time since 2017. It’s been a barron spell for the Bulls in that time with mismanagement issues and a lack of overall talent affecting results on the court. However, there certainly isn’t that excuse this year after they built a team that should certainly feature in the Playoffs – and some may even argue should be competing for home court advantage. They will have to establish a pecking order on offense early in the season and quickly learn their roles with this team having just one starter in LaVine who was on the roster prior to the 2024/21 season, but if they can click they should comfortably finish as a top-six seed and avoid the returning play-in tournament.
Zach LaVine – MVP – 66/1
Just as the 66/1 odds suggest Zach LaVine is far from one of the favourites to win MVP this season, but the shooting guard may get himself into the conversation for the first time now that he is surrounded by a well-rounded roster. LaVine took a huge leap last season, averaging a career-high 27.4 points per game as well as averaging career-best totals in RPG, APG, FG%, 3P% and FT%. That showing has seen many put the former UCLA guard in their top 20 players in the NBA and he should also have benefitted from his experience at the Olympics where he helped Team USA win the gold medal. Having prolonged experience alongside the likes of Kevin Durant and Damian Lillard will only benefit LaVine as he looks to make the Playoffs for the first time in his career in what is his eighth NBA season.
Lonzo Ball – Most Improved Player – 25/1
The Chicago Bulls were close to trading for Lonzo Ball at the trade deadline last season but finally got their man after he signed a four-year, $80m contract in a sign-and-trade deal. Ball averaged 14.6 points per game last season but played more often with the ball out of his hands as the offense ran mainly through Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. Now a consistent three point shooter, he will now form an exciting backcourt alongside LaVine and there is still the feeling that Ball has more gears to go through. Still only 23-years-old, the Bulls are the third team of the point guard’s professional career and he will now be hopeful that he has found his home. If he can take another leap this season on a team that is expecting to compete for the Playoffs then he could well be in contention for most improved player and 25/1 represents good value for a former second overall pick.
Coby White – Sixth Man of the Year – 20/1
The signing of Ball should allow Coby White to be utilised in the sixth man role that many feel he is perfectly suited for. He started 54 times in 69 games last season as the Bulls looked to develop him into a more traditional point guard, but his ability to score the ball makes him more suited to being a spark plug scorer off the bench than a facilitator. He will form a very solid bench backcourt next to Alex Caruso, who along with Ball will take some of the playmaking responsibilities away from White. The Bulls backcourt depth is one of the most impressive in the NBA and there are high hopes that we could see White at his very best in this new role as their sixth man off the bench.
