Chicago Bulls have lottery talent and playoff hopes in 2019-20

2019-20 Roster

Key additions: Coby White (draft), Daniel Gafford (draft), Thaddeus Young (free agency), Tomas Satoransky (free agency), Luke Kornet (free agency)

Key subtractions: Robin Lopez (free agency), Antonio Blakeney (waived), Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot (free agency), Rawle Alkins (free agency), Wayne Selden (free agency)

Bulls fans may be reluctant to credit the front office duo of John Paxson and Gar Forman for just about anything positive, but, despite their poor record the past two seasons, the Bulls front office has put together a quality roster.

Three consecutive seventh overall selections in the NBA Draft have netted the team Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter Jr. and Coby White. Mix in the acquisitions of Zach LaVine, Otto Porter, Thaddeus Young and Tomas Satoransky and the Bulls have an intriguing blend of skilled players.

Questions regarding Kris Dunn‘s future in the Windy City still linger, as the point guard has thus far failed to live up to expectations. He could function efficiently running the second team with more of an emphasis on scoring versus playmaking.

Adding the electric White to push the pace is a step in the right direction for a team that finished 19th in the league in pace and 29th in offensive rating. Of course, a full healthy season of Markkanen and LaVine will pay dividends for Chicago. Satoransky and Young aren’t simply filling veteran leadership voids, they will be expected to contribute early and often.

Wing depth could be an issue this season, depending on Denzel Valentine‘s recovery from reconstructive ankle surgery he underwent last season. Chandler Hutchison should also contribute, but after an uneven rookie season, which ended after 44 games, it’s not clear what should be expected from the second-year swingman.

Finally, in the frontcourt, Carter showed promise as a defender, though his strength needs improvement in order to gain positive results versus bigger and stronger big men.