Chicago Bulls: 3 big questions following 2019 NBA All-Star break

The Chicago Bulls managed just 14 wins through their first 58 games of the 2018-19 season. Here’s a look at the three biggest questions for this team following the 2019 All-Star break.

In 2017-18, the Chicago Bulls finished with a 27-55 mark, which was the sixth-worst record in the NBA. Furthermore, it was the first time the Bulls failed to top 30 wins since the 2003-04 campaign.

The only positive was the team wasn’t expected to do much a season ago due to the fact the roster was comprised of mostly younger players who had yet to prove themselves. On the heels of a disappointing season, the Bulls were expected to be somewhat better in 2018-19 for a few reasons.

For starters, Zach LaVine was on the mend from an ACL injury that kept on the shelf for nearly a year. Secondly, the team didn’t do too bad with their draft selections, taking Wendell Carter Jr. with the seventh overall pick and Chandler Hutchison at No. 22.

Additionally, even though Jabari Parker was never known for playing great defense, inserting another scorer into the mix was supposed to give Chicago’s offense a much-needed boost. Unfortunately, things didn’t go according to plan, to say the least.

Thanks to injuries that sidelined key players (Lauri Markkanen, Kris Dunn and Bobby Portis) at various stretches, the Bulls produced a meager 5-19 mark through their first 24 games, prompting the front office to fire head coach Fred Hoiberg and promote associate head coach Jim Boylen.

Not only that, but Carter (out for season with a thumb injury) and Hutchison (out indefinitely with a right foot injury) were affected by the injury bug as well. Seeing their chances to be major players in free agency this summer go by the wayside, the front office opted to make a move prior to the trade deadline (more on that later).

For the second consecutive year, the Bulls find themselves with little to play for during the second half of the season. With that being said, here’s a look at three big questions for Chicago following the 2019 All-Star break.