The Chicago Bulls starting lineup got a big lift this offseason by adding DeMar DeRozan. He has fit in well with Lonzo Ball and Zach LaVine. Ball has been injured for most of the second half and the Bulls have really started to slip. The starting lineup now starts out with Ayo Dosunmo or Alex Caruso starting depending on the night. LaVine, DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic are really the big three, but is it enough to get them over the hump in the East? Chicago has rotated forwards based on health this season, going with Javonte Green and Patrick Williams. You can find Bulls projected and confirmed starting lineups here!
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Game | Result | |||||
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04/27/22 at MIL | L 100-116 | SG: | SG: | SF: | PF: | C: |
04/24/22 vs MIL | L 95-119 | SG: | SG: | SG: | SF: | C: |
04/22/22 vs MIL | L 81-111 | SG: | SG: | SG: | SF: | C: |
04/20/22 at MIL | W 114-110 | SG: | SG: | SG: | SF: | C: |
04/17/22 at MIL | L 86-93 | SG: | SG: | SG: | SF: | C: |
04/10/22 at MIN | W 124-120 | SG: | SF: | SF: | PF: | C: |
04/08/22 vs CHA | L 117-133 | PG: | SG: | SG: | SF: | C: |
04/06/22 vs BOS | L 94-117 | SG: | SG: | SG: | SF: | C: |
04/05/22 vs MIL | L 106-127 | SG: | SG: | SG: | SF: | C: |
04/02/22 vs MIA | L 109-127 | SG: | SG: | SG: | SG: | C: |
Chicago decided to go in a completely different direction than what it had been doing when it traded for Nikola Vucevic and did a sign-and-trade with the New Orleans Pelicans for Lonzo Ball and the San Antonio Spurs for DeMar DeRozan. The Bulls also signed Alex Caruso in free agency. They could execute all of this without giving up Zach LaVine, Coby White, or Patrick Williams, which should be considered a massive win for the Bulls. Suddenly, Chicago becomes an instant threat in the Eastern Conference to knock out a team for their spot in the playoffs. LaVine is coming off of the best season in his young career after averaging 27.4 points, five rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game on 50.7% from the field and 41.9% from behind the arc.
These stats are eye-popping and should be frightening for opposing teams when considering the Bulls’ depth. LaVine no longer has to carry the Bulls every game and instead can rely on Lonzo Ball to distribute and Vucevic and DeRozan to help score. Additionally, Chicago has Patrick Williams, who should take another step forward this year after showing some promise this past season. Having Alex Caruso’s energy, IQ, and offensive and defensive prowess will help a great deal also.