NBA: Ranking the teams in the Central Division for 2017-18

5. Chicago Bulls

The Bulls made the second-worst trade in the division this offseason. However, they certainly got a few players with good potential in Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen. Heck, even Kris Dunn could turn out to be a solid rotational player.

Markkanen is perhaps one of the biggest unknowns on the roster. With the nickname like Baby Dirk, he has high expectations to live up to. At least as far as NBA Summer League goes, he’s having a positive impression on the fans of his new team:

The rest of the Bulls’ backcourt has been in flux as well. Rajon Rondo was released after the NBA Draft and who knows if Dwyane Wade will even make it to the start of camp.

Nikola Mirotic also remains a free agent. He’s stuck on the wrong end of the spectrum. He’s not a superstar who demands a high salary, nor is he a scrub who can play for a minimum contract. After last year’s gold rush, his status as an average to above-average player leaves teams without the money to pay him his true worth.

It won’t make a big difference whether he re-signs or not. Unfortunately, Chicago is in for a long rebuild. This will be the first of many, many long seasons to come.