NBA Power Rankings Week 21: Are the Sixers the best bet to win it all?

NBA Power Rankings Week 21: Are the Philadelphia 76ers the best bet to win it all?

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 13: Joel Embiid #21 and Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on against the Miami Heat during the first quarter at American Airlines Arena on May 13, 2021 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

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NBA, Sixers (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

21. Chicago Bulls

Last Week: Beat Detroit Pistons 108-96, Lost to Brooklyn Nets 115-107, Beat Toronto Raptors 114-102, Lost to Brooklyn Nets 105-91, Beat Milwaukee Bucks 118-112

Over/Under Projection; Guess/Result: 29; Under; Wrong

The Chicago Bulls went all-in on this season at the trade deadline and bet on the core to push them into the postseason once and for all. Ultimately, they have come up short, which makes the future for the team slightly more confusing. A season ago the Bulls finished 11th in the conference without an All-Star and let their coach go. Now, they are the 11th seed with two All-Stars, a new coach and no first-round pick unless they jump up into the top four of the lottery.

Zach LaVine was transcendent this season, averaging 27.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.9 assists on shooting splits of .507/.419/.849. He has changed the perspective for the Bulls, but that does not mean he is the one to take them back to the postseason.

Figuring out the rest of the roster is essential to making anything of the Zach LaVine era before he is a free agent next offseason. Lauri Markkanen is a restricted free agent this summer and saw his production plummet as the season went along. Coby White did not take the step that many would have hoped. Ultimately this may come down to the ceiling the duo of LaVine and Nikola Vucevic to determine the path to the future.