The Chicago Bulls will try to rely on improvement from within after keeping core group intact
Last season: 40-42, reached play-in tournament.
Coach: Billy Donovan (4th season with Bulls, 117-119; 9th season overall, 360-276).
What to expect: The Bulls opted for continuity coming off a disappointing season that ended with a play-in loss to Miami, and kept their core intact rather than start rebuilding. They're banking on improvement from within to rise in the Eastern Conference. But it's a steep climb to the top, with Damian Lillard now teaming with Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee and Jrue Holiday going from the Bucks to Boston. The Bulls stuck with stars Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan rather than trade them and kept Nikola Vucevic off the free-agent market by agreeing to a three-year, $60 million extension. They also retained guard Coby White (three years, $40 million) and added backcourt depth by signing Milwaukee's Jevon Carter (three years, $20 million). The two were competing for the starting point guard spot with Lonzo Ball recuperating from a cartilage transplant on his left knee and out for the second year in a row. Ayo Dosunmu was also in the mix. White, drafted by Chicago with the No. 7 overall pick in 2019, averaged career lows of 9.7 points while playing 23.4 minutes last season. But he showed improvement in his decision making. Carter gives the Bulls a tough perimeter defender and outside shooting they sorely lacked. Chicago was last in the NBA in 3-pointers made and attempted. They'll need more than promising flashes from Patrick Williams in his fourth season. A jump by Dalen Terry — last year’s first-rounder — would help, too. LaVine came into camp healthy, a change from last season when he was slowed after offseason knee surgery.
Departures: G Patrick Beverley.
Additions: Carter, F Torrey Craig.
Player to watch: Williams. Is this his big leap year? The 6-foot-7 Williams has averaged 9.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in his career. But the flashes he has shown suggest he is capable of more.
Season opener: Host Oklahoma City on Oct. 25.
Fanduel Sportsbook NBA title odds: 130-1.
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