The Bulls' quiet summer has left an NBA analyst unimpressed.
Bulls’ offseason earns underwhelming spot among NBA rankings originally appeared on The Sporting News
The Chicago Bulls are still in contract negotiations with restricted free agent Josh Giddey, contributing to a relatively quiet offseason.
Chicago has made some moves toward its ongoing rebuild, trading Lonzo Ball for Isaac Okoro and selecting forward Noa Essengue with the No. 12 overall pick in the NBA Draft. The Bulls also re-signed backup point guard Tre Jones to a three-year, $24 million deal.
Still, they have yet to reach common ground on a new deal with Giddey after reportedly offering him a four-year, $80 million contract, according to K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network.
Chicago urged to take bigger steps
David Aldridge of The Athletic recently analyzed the Bulls’ offseason, ranking them at No. 18 and calling on the organization to take more significant strides in its rebuild.
“Getting Josh Giddey extended before camp is the next expected step,” he wrote. “But at some point, Chicago is going to have to be more intentional in making bigger moves that can get it out of Play-In round hell.”
MORE: NBA writer makes bold prediction for Bulls' rising star Matas Buzelis
The Bulls have reached the Play-In Tournament in three consecutive seasons but have yet to advance beyond it. Additionally, they have made the playoffs just once in the past eight seasons.
If Chicago can successfully build around Giddey, Okoro, Essengue and Matas Buzelis, it has the foundation for a promising young core. Coby White is also in the mix, though he’s on an expiring contract. Still, as Aldridge noted, a deep playoff run in the coming years seems unlikely unless the Bulls acquire a true star.
Giddey’s extension remains a top priority in Chicago, but the emergence of young players like Buzelis offers reason for optimism about the future.
MORE NBA NEWS:
- NBA analyst ranks Bucks' offseason moves after Damian Lillard saga
- Former NBA guard Patrick Beverley breaks down Kevin Durant's fit with Houston
- Proposed 76ers trade lands Lakers' 20.2 PPG rising star for Quentin Grimes
- Warriors predicted to sign 5-time All-Star to $11.7 million deal
- Knicks fans call for big change to starting lineup in recent poll
Category: Basketball
