2025 Chicago Bulls Preseason Preview

The Chicago Bulls finished last season with a record of 39-43 and could not make it out of the play in tournament. The 2024-25 season will see the return of Lonzo Ball , who missed the previous two seasons and has struggled with injury throughout his career. Chicago will likely look to closely manage Ball’s minutes, which will be made easier after the emergence of Coby White who finished 2nd in most improved voting last season.

(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Aside from Ball and White, the Chicago roster is headlined by Zach LaVine, who, in his 25 games played last season, saw a notable decrease in his offensive production. After moving DeMar DeRozan during the off season and seeing Nikola Vučević’s effective field goal percentage take a large hit last season, Chicago could be in need of offense. Chris Duarte will be given a chance and could thrive in a more stable role, but the big quest is can Patrick Williams make a leap? The former fourth overall pick has seen two of his four seasons in the league sidelined by injury and the lack of consistency has seen his output flatline.

Ayo Dosunmu, Talen Horton-Tucker, and Josh Giddy are three additional players on Chicago who are in a position to establish themselves as consistent players, and the opportunity will be there for them to do just that.

In the near term Chicago lacks flexibility in the roster construction department. LaVine is owned 46 and 49 million over the next two seasons. Lonzo Ball and Torrey Craig expire this offseason but any room under the cap that those Chicago can make by letting them walk or resigning them for less will likely be taken up by whatever deal Josh Giddey and Chris Duarte are able to play themselves into.