Chicago Bulls: Young core looks to defy expectations next season

By James D. Tillman III | Jul 10, 2017

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 08: Cameron Payne #22 of the Chicago Bulls drives against Dorian Finney-Smith #10 of the Dallas Mavericks during the 2017 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 8, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dallas won 91-75. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

The Chicago Bulls’ young core may lack experience. But they have no intention on throwing in the towel next season.

The Chicago Bulls have advanced to the playoffs in eight of the last 10 seasons. But after suffering five first-round exits during that stretch, the decision was made to hit the reset button.

First, there was the draft-night trade that sent Jimmy Butler and the No. 16 overall pick (Justin Patton) to the Minnesota Timberwolves, thus reuniting him with Tom Thibodeau. In exchange for dealing away their longest-tenured player, the Bulls received Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and the No. 7 pick — Lauri Markkanen.

In addition to that, the Bulls also parted ways with veteran point guard Rajon Rondo. This move was somewhat surprising considering how well the offense ran when Rondo was on the court. This especially was the case in the playoffs, when the Bulls averaged nearly 20 fewer points per contest in Games 3-6 of their first round playoff series against the Boston Celtics.

For Bulls fans, here is a somewhat grim recap at what your team has done so far. The high-flying 2-guard, Zach LaVine averaged 19 points per contest and converted 40 percent of his attempts from deep in 47 appearances for Minnesota last season. The caveat here is LaVine is working his way back from an ACL injury, and will more than likely miss the start of next season.

Secondly, with the departure of Rondo, Michael Carter-Williams and Isaiah Canaan, the Bulls have trimmed the number of point guards on the roster from six down to three. The issue with the trio of Dunn, Cameron Payne and Jerian Grant is none of them played consistently well last season.

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Dunn averaged 3.8 points and 2.4 assists per outing on shooting splits of .388/.288/.610. Grant fared somewhat better as he posted averages of 5.9 points and 1.9 assists per contest while shooting 42 percent from the field overall and 37 percent from distance. However, he was all but a non-factor in the playoff series against the Celtics after Rondo went down with an injury.

Last, but not least, Payne — who was dubbed as the team’s point guard of the future when the Bulls acquired him in a February trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder — didn’t exactly live up to that expectation in his short time with the Bulls during the latter portion of the season.

In 11 appearances, he posted averages of 4.9 points and 1.4 assists on 33 percent shooting overall and 32 percent from three-point range. On the surface, this doesn’t sound as if the Bulls faithful have a lot to be excited about, and with good reason.

Even though vice president of basketball operations John Paxson advised there will be plenty of bumps in the road ahead, a few of the younger players don’t necessarily agree with that assessment.

"“We’re gonna try our hardest, and we know we don’t have the superstars on our team, but that doesn’t mean anything,’’ Dunn told the Chicago Sun-Times. “If we play hard and play together, we’ll be fine.”“I think some teams take us for granted. Some teams think they can take you for granted, take you lightly. And that’s how you scratch out wins.’’"

Payne took it a step further with his thoughts about the 2017-18 season.

"“We’ve got to make the playoffs next season,’’ Payne said. “That’s really it. I’m pretty sure they want to make the playoffs, too. John Paxson and Gar Forman want to make the playoffs, and it starts here. We’ve gotta work, try our best when the regular season comes.’’"

It is certainly admirable of the younger players to believe that next season isn’t a total washout.

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However, the reality of the situation is there will be plenty of growing pains along the way. And like it or not, this team is at least a few years away from being a perennial playoff contender in the Eastern Conference.

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