Season Record: 22-60, 13th in the Eastern Conference
Head Coach: Fred Hoiberg (5-19), Jim Boylen (17-41)
Most Frequent Starting Five (12 Games): (G) Kris Dunn – (G) Zach LaVine – (F) Otto Porter – (F) Lauri Markkanen – (C) Robin Lopez
Chicago Bulls 2018-2019 Top Performers
- (G) Zach Lavine – 23.7 PPG | 4.5 APG | 4.7 RPG
- (F-C) Lauri Markkanen – 18.7 PPG | 9.0 RPG | .506 eFG%
- (F) Otto Porter – 17.5 PPG | 5.5 RPG | .488 3P%
Chicago Bulls 2018-2019 Major Transactions
8 July 2018 – As part of a three-team trade, the Chicago Bulls traded (G) Jerian Grant to the Orlando Magic; the Charlotte Hornets traded (G) Julyan Stone to the Chicago Bulls; the Charlotte Hornets traded (C) Timofey Mozgov to the Orlando Magic; and the Orlando Magic traded (C) Bismack Biyombo, a 2019 second-round draft pick and a 2020 second-round draft pick to the Charlotte Hornets.
14 July 2018 – Signed (F) Jabari Parker as a free agent.
3 December 2018 – Fired Fred Hoiberg as Head Coach. Appointed Jim Boylen as Head Coach.
3 January 2019 – Traded (G) Justin Holiday to the Memphis Grizzlies for (G) MarShon Brooks, (G) Wayne Selden, a 2019 second-round draft pick and a 2020 second-round draft pick.
6 February 2019 – Traded (F) Jabari Parker, (F) Bobby Portis and a 2023 second-round draft pick to the Washington Wizards for (F) Otto Porter.
The Good
More Than A Dunker
There were some questions about LaVine when he was acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves. While he showed tremendous confidence shooting the ball, his decision making and maturity were questioned.
With the Bulls, he posted career highs across the board. 23.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game put him into an impressive tier of players.
He had attitude issues in conflict with head coach Jim Boylan last season. His ability to mature and step up as a leader will be under the microscope.
Champion to Prospect
The Chicago Bulls are not an incredibly deep team by any means. But last season there were some diamonds in the rough that looked to be interesting prospects, despite their lack of fanfare coming into the league.
Look no further than former NCAA Champion Ryan Arcidiacono. Undrafted and fighting for a professional place in the NBA, he was given a chance and he did more than impress.
Arcidiacono appeared in 81 games for the Bulls last season, averaging 3.3 assists and an impressive 37.5% from deep. He may not have had the glamour of his draft-mates, but he is showing that he certainly has the skill.
Old School Is Still An Education
The firing of former head coach Fred Hoiberg was a decision that many thought was well past due. In his place was Jim Boylen, who struggled to control the young attitude of his team at the outset.
Boylan epitomizes what he calls a “road dog mentality”. After some initial hesitation, it seemed to have rubbed off on his team come to the end of the year.
The truth of it is that Boylen is not a high-profile coach, but none of his players could be considered high-profile either. The Bulls came together as a squad near the end of the year – no doubt added by some key trades – and showed there might be a future for Boylen and this group.
The Bad
Is Dunn’s Time Done?
Kris Dunn came into the NBA as one of its hottest point guard prospects. Dynamic, athletic, but missing some key pieces to his game, growth was key for Dunn’s success.
Unfortunately for Dunn, he has struggled to be efficient on offense. He’s still not a capable shooter, and in clutch moments Ryan Arcidiacono was favored.
Dunn has more than enough time to bounce back, but he has to show that he is more Russell Westbrook than Frank Ntilikina before it’s too late.
Losing the Tank
Tanking is bad for the NBA, it is bad for all sports. With the new Draft Lottery odds, it has been made clear that there is much less of a benefit to tanking. However, the Bulls didn’t do it quite well.
Against the worst teams in the NBA (Knicks, Suns, Cavs, Grizzlies, Wizards, and Hawks), the Bulls put together a debatably acceptable 12-5 record. Versus the remainder of the league, 9-52.
While there’s no pride in losing to increase draft odds, the Bulls weren’t even able to get that done properly.
The Surprises
The Broken Bulls
When a young team steps on to the court, you would at least expect enthusiasm and effort to compensate for a lack of overall seasoning. Unfortunately, many of the Bulls’ best talent found themselves in street clothes.
Lauri Markkanen, Kris Dunn, and Zach Lavine were expected leaders turned suit models due to injury. Even promising rookies Wendell Carter Jr and Chandler Hutchinson were benched for the year due to a torn ligament and toe fracture respectively.
It is quite easy to say that the Bulls limped out of last season.
The Bulls Couldn’t Unload
Cristiano Felicio is a player that every team would want to have but hate to play against. However, the team that has him, signed him to a shocking four-year, $32 million contract.
At a budget-friendly $7.8 million in 2018, the Chicago front office couldn’t find any takers for their truck of a center.
He will surely be on the trading block during the 19-20 season, as four points and three rebounds on his salary is nowhere near acceptable.
You Can Ruin Your Shot
Antonio Blakeney came out of LSU, undrafted, and looking for a shot at glory. He got it in a two-way with the Bulls which became a regular contract, impressing with the Windy City G-League side.
Unfortunately for Blakeney, he was awful in his stint with the Bulls. Averaging more turnovers than assists, and more shots per game than passes per game, Blakeney was a disappointment.
Ball hog may seem a juvenile term, but it is absolutely a great way to find yourself out of the rotation.
Chicago Bulls 2019 NBA Draft Acquisitions
With two picks in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls opted to shore up their frontcourt and backcourt. Star UNC guard Coby White and Arkansas big man Daniel Gafford are high-ceiling prospects.
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