A Crossroads for the Bulls
The Chicago Bulls find themselves at a critical juncture early in the 2025-26 NBA season. After a promising start to the post-pandemic era that saw them return to the playoffs in 2021-22, the team has struggled to build consistent momentum, finishing last season with a disappointing 38-44 record and missing the postseason entirely.
"The Bulls are facing what I would call an identity crisis," says ESPN's senior NBA insider Shams Charania. "They have talented individual players, but they haven't been able to find the right chemistry or consistent playing style that can make them a legitimate threat in the Eastern Conference."
Roster Analysis: Strengths and Weaknesses
At the core of the Bulls' roster is a trio of veteran stars: Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vučević. While each player has demonstrated All-Star caliber talent at various points in their careers, their ability to function effectively as a unit has been inconsistent.
"On paper, this should be one of the most potent scoring trios in the league," Charania notes. "LaVine is an elite shooter, DeRozan is a master mid-range scorer, and Vučević provides inside scoring and rebounding. But the reality has been that their offensive styles don't always complement each other, and their collective defensive shortcomings have been exploited by opponents."
The Bulls' supporting cast has also struggled to provide consistent contributions. Coby White, who showed promise early in his career, has regressed somewhat, while Lonzo Ball's career has been derailed by persistent knee injuries. The front office has made several mid-level signings in recent years, but few have panned out as expected.
"What the Bulls lack is that complementary role player who can defend multiple positions, knock down open shots consistently, and bring energy off the bench," Charania explains. "Those are the types of players who often make the difference between a team that competes in the playoffs and one that misses them entirely."
Coaching Dynamics
In the wake of Billy Donovan's departure at the end of last season, the Bulls hired Adrian Griffin as their new head coach. Griffin, a former assistant with the Toronto Raptors, brings a defensive mindset and championship experience from his time with the Raptors' 2019 title team.
"Adrian Griffin has a challenging job ahead of him," Charania says. "He needs to establish a defensive identity for this team, which has been sorely lacking, while also finding ways to maximize the offensive talents of his three stars. It's a delicate balance, and early returns have been mixed."
Through the first five games of the season, the Bulls have shown flashes of promise but have struggled with consistency. Their defensive rating currently ranks 22nd in the league, and their offensive efficiency has been inconsistent, particularly in clutch situations.
"Coach Griffin is still figuring out his rotation and his best lineups," Charania notes. "But there are already some concerning patterns emerging, particularly on the defensive end. If the Bulls want to compete in the Eastern Conference, they're going to need to be much better at closing out games and limiting opponents' scoring in key moments."
Front Office Decisions Looming
Perhaps the most pressing issue facing the Bulls organization is what to do with their core trio of LaVine, DeRozan, and Vučević. All three players are in their 30s, and while they remain productive, their massive contracts are limiting the team's financial flexibility.
"The Bulls are in a tricky position," Charania explains. "They've invested heavily in these three players, but the results haven't matched the investment. At some point, they're going to have to make a decision about whether to continue trying to win with this core or to pivot toward a rebuild."
LaVine, who has been with the Bulls since 2017, has been the subject of trade rumors for much of the past year. His contract, which pays him over $40 million annually, makes him difficult to move, but his scoring ability and shooting would be valuable to many contending teams.
"Zach LaVine is an elite talent, but there are legitimate questions about whether he can be the centerpiece of a championship-caliber team," Charania says. "He's shown flashes of being that guy, but consistency has been an issue throughout his career."
DeRozan, who will turn 35 midway through the season, has been the most consistent performer of the trio in recent years, but his age and contract situation make him a complicated asset as well.
"DeMar is still playing at an extremely high level, which is remarkable for someone his age," Charania notes. "But his contract expires after this season, and the Bulls will have to decide whether to offer him an extension or risk losing him for nothing. It's a difficult decision, especially given the team's current trajectory."
Eastern Conference Landscape
The Bulls are competing in what many analysts consider to be the strongest Eastern Conference in recent memory. Teams like the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Cleveland Cavaliers are all legitimate championship contenders, while younger teams like the Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons, and Orlando Magic are on the rise.
"The Eastern Conference is incredibly deep right now," Charania says. "Even teams that might not make the playoffs in previous years are going to be competitive night in and night out. For the Bulls to break through and make the postseason, they're going to need to be at least a .500 team, which isn't a given based on what we've seen so far."
One potential advantage for the Bulls is their experience. With veteran players like DeRozan, LaVine, and Vučević, they have the talent to compete with anyone on any given night. But consistency will be the key to their success.
"The Bulls have to figure out how to win close games," Charania explains. "Last season, they had one of the worst records in the league in games decided by five points or fewer. If they can turn those close losses into wins, their season outlook would improve dramatically."
Player Development Opportunities
Amidst the concerns about the Bulls' veteran core, there have been some encouraging signs from the team's younger players. Patrick Williams, the fourth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, has shown flashes of the two-way potential that made him such a highly regarded prospect.
"Patrick Williams is one of the most intriguing young players on the Bulls roster," Charania says. "He has all the physical tools to be an elite defender, and his offensive game is starting to come around. If he can develop into the three-and-D wing that many thought he could be, that would be a huge boost for this team."
Second-year guard Dalen Terry has also shown promise, particularly on the defensive end. His length and athleticism make him a versatile defender who could eventually become a key piece of the Bulls' rotation.
"Dalen Terry has the potential to be a really valuable role player in this league," Charania notes. "He's still raw offensively, but defensively, he has the tools to guard multiple positions and disrupt passing lanes. With more experience and development, he could become an important part of the Bulls' future."
Fan Base Frustration
The Bulls' struggles have not been lost on their passionate fan base. Chicago has one of the most dedicated and knowledgeable basketball fan bases in the country, and they've grown increasingly frustrated with the team's lack of progress in recent years.
"Bulls fans have been incredibly patient, but there's a growing sense of frustration," Charania says. "This is a city that expects excellence, especially from a franchise with the Bulls' storied history. The front office is under pressure to deliver results, and that pressure is only going to increase if the team continues to struggle."
Attendance at the United Center, once among the highest in the league, has dipped in recent years as the team's performance has declined. Winning back the support of the fan base will be another challenge for the Bulls organization.
Looking Ahead
As the 2025-26 season unfolds, all eyes will be on how the Bulls respond to their early-season challenges. With a mix of veteran talent and promising young players, they have the pieces to be competitive, but whether they can put it all together remains to be seen.
"I think we'll learn a lot about this Bulls team in the next month or so," Charania concludes. "If they can find some consistency and start to build momentum, they could surprise some people. But if they continue to struggle, especially against the top teams in the East, we might start hearing more serious trade talks and questions about the direction of the franchise."
One thing is clear: the status quo is no longer acceptable for a Bulls organization that has championship aspirations. Whether that means making bold trades, continuing to develop their young talent, or a combination of both, significant changes may be on the horizon.
For now, Bulls fans can only watch and hope that this season will finally be the one where their team takes the next step toward competing for a championship once again.