Chicago Bulls appear to be in familiar spot with no major additions
during quiet offseason
[October 17, 2025]
Chicago Bulls
Last season: 39-42, lost to Miami in the first round of the play-in
tournament.
COACH: Billy Donovan (sixth season with Bulls, 11th season overall,
438-362).
SEASON OPENER: Oct. 22 vs. Detroit.
DEPARTURES: G Lonzo Ball.
ADDITIONS: G/F Isaac Okoro, F Noa Essengue.
BetMGM championship odds: 500-1. |
Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey, left, and forward Matas Buzelis, right,
defend against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, center,
during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game Sunday, Oct.
12, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks) |
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What to expect
The Bulls went 39-42 for the second straight season and got
knocked out of the play-in tournament by Miami for the third
year in a row. But instead of shaking up the roster, they
largely stood pat. Chicago is in a familiar spot, banking on
improvement from within after a quiet offseason. The most
notable moves were re-signing G Josh Giddey to a four-year
contract extension, trading Ball to Cleveland for Okoro and
drafting Essengue out of the French Basketball League with the
No. 12 pick. The Bulls hope G Coby White and Giddey take their
games to an All-Star level and F Matas Buzelis builds on a
promising rookie season. But the fact remains: They don't have
an established cornerstone player and haven't even had an
All-Star since DeMar DeRozan in 2023.
Strengths and weaknesses
The good: White followed up a breakout season in 2023-24 by
averaging a career-high 20.4 points last year. Giddey, acquired
from Oklahoma City for Alex Caruso, averaged 14.6 points in his
first season in Chicago. He set personal bests at 8.1 rebounds
and 7.2 assists per game, and delivered seven triple-doubles.
The question is whether he can develop into a more reliable
defender.
The not-so-good: The lack of a cornerstone player remains a big
issue for this franchise. It's particularly glaring in a more
open Eastern Conference, with Boston’s Jayson Tatum and
Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton recovering from torn Achilles
tendons. The Bulls do have a strong trade chip in Nikola Vucevic,
with the two-time All-Star's contract expiring at the end of the
season. White, Ayo Dosunmu, Kevin Huerter, Zach Collins and
Jevon Carter also are set to come off the books.
Players to watch
A Chicago-area product, Buzelis started to show star potential
over the course of his rookie season after earning his way into
the rotation. He averaged 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds while
starting 31 of the 80 games he played in after being drafted
with the No. 11 pick.
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