Chicago Bulls should keep their core group of players: Keeping it together
The first piece of the puzzle is clearly to re-sign Zach LaVine. His recent declaration that he intends to enjoy free agency could be a simple ploy to alert management to the fact that he will not lay down during negotiations.
There are some pundits saying that the team should just let LaVine walk and build around DeRozan, but they might be forgetting that LaVine is five years younger than his All-Star counterpart. While DeRozan is not old by any stretch of the imagination, LaVine certainly has a longer shelf life.
Prior to his injury, there were members of the media pushing for Lonzo Ball to be declared the Most Improved Player in the league. There will undoubtedly be plenty of opportunities for the team to trade him in the off-season.
A tall guard who sees the floor, makes the right pass, and defends at a high level is worth his weight in gold. Lonzo Ball does all of the above, and is becoming a better three-point shooter every season.
The Bulls already have the right man at the helm in Billy Donovan. Donovan has proven he has what it takes to succeed at the pro level, no matter what kind of talent exists on the roster. Fortunately for him, the team’s current composition features two elite wing players, an All-Star center, and a variety of elite role players as well.
Breaking up a team after a disappointing playoff performance has become far too commonplace in the modern NBA. Yes, the Bulls’ first round exit was a far cry from the finish they aspired to have when they occupied the number one seed in the East, but this is a team with a lot of potential and they should not be broken up without getting another crack at Eastern Conference supremacy.
When healthy, they have a legitimate shot at making a deep playoff run; they should be afforded to opportunity to do so.