The Chicago Bulls` season ended Wednesday night with a 109-90 loss to the Miami Heat. While the game`s outcome had little impact, Tyler Herro`s dominant performance on Chicago`s home court, eliminating the Bulls for the third consecutive play-in tournament, served as a painful reminder of the team`s stagnant position over the past decade.
The Bulls have seemingly accepted mediocrity, lacking the talent to contend seriously but also avoiding a complete rebuild to acquire top draft picks. In a year where Cooper Flagg is the coveted No. 1 overall pick, the Bulls` lack of direction is even more apparent.
None of the players who participated in Wednesday night`s disappointing loss appear to be foundational pieces for the Bulls` long-term future. While Josh Giddey and Coby White are skilled players who could contribute to a championship-caliber team, neither is a primary star. Matas Buzelis showed promise at the end of his rookie season but doesn`t project as a franchise cornerstone.
It`s puzzling that the Bulls didn`t prioritize positioning themselves to draft a potentially transformative talent like Flagg. He is the kind of player Chicago could build around for many years.
However, while teams like the Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, and Charlotte Hornets will have better odds to draft Flagg, the Bulls aimed for just enough competitiveness to secure a play-in spot in a weak Eastern Conference, only to be defeated at home.
This situation is typical for the Chicago Bulls, stemming from the front office`s decisions to hold onto players like DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine for too long, and the same applies to Alex Caruso. When the Bulls finally traded these players, they received only a single first-round pick, which was their own original pick from the DeRozan trade.
General manager Artūras Karnišovas emphasized at the trade deadline and in subsequent media appearances that regaining top-10 protection on that pick was a key goal for the season.
Despite achieving this goal, the Bulls have worsened their draft lottery position and are now projected to pick 13th. While a lottery pick is valuable, the embarrassing loss on Wednesday likely leaves the Bulls` front office and fans wishing for a chance to draft Flagg.
Looking ahead, Karnišovas asked for fan patience, stating they are in the initial phase of a transition. He suggested building on the current group by adding a lottery pick and free agency acquisitions.
However, fans have been patient for a decade. The Bulls consistently rank high in attendance, even during poor seasons. But during Wednesday`s defeat, boos and chants to “sell the team” were audible.
How much more patience can ownership and management expect from a fanbase that still remembers the Michael Jordan era? It`s been ten years since the Bulls` last home playoff win, Derrick Rose`s buzzer-beater in 2015. Since then, mediocrity has defined the team.
Karnišovas mentioned that increased financial flexibility by the summer of 2026 would allow for roster improvements. Yet, the core issue remains: the Bulls lack a central player to build around. Even with cap space, this fundamental problem persists.
Based on Karnišovas` recent statements, the Bulls don`t seem ready for a full reset. Consequently, fans should anticipate another play-in appearance next season, potentially another loss to the Miami Heat, and limited hope for future change.
Jasper Hawthorne