Bulls fans just wanted a return to competent basketball and they got that last year. The Bulls were better than anyone could have imagined. The signing of Demar Derozan looked like a stroke of genius along with the additions of Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso. All of the pieces were set up even after a disappointing end to their season. It looks like Bulls ownership may have caused them to stagnate at the worst time.
The top of the East improved, that is no secret. The Bucks will get Middleton back and with Giannis’ work ethic he may show up next year shooting 40% from three. Fresh off a finals birth the Celtics improved with Malcom Brogdon and the Hawks added Dejounte Murray. The Heat may have a KD or Donovan Mitchell trade in their back pocket and the Knicks landed Brunson. Most of the East improved right away on paper but the Bulls decided to run it back.
They signed two players who may be cooked in Goran Dragíc and Andre Drummond, they also resigned Derrick Jones Jr. to an unusually large deal. For whatever reason they decided to not use their full Mid Level Exception and that just screams ownership interference.
It is a well known theory throughout Chicago that Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf cares more about the White Sox and that is where he likes to spend him money. The Bulls front office seemingly not getting the green light to add on to the tax bill to improve the roster seems like ownership interference to me.
The Bulls forced open a window last year with their play but unfortunately due to their slow offseason it looks like that window was shut just as hard as it was opened. We will see if the focus on continuity will pay off.
J
