The National Basketball Association is a month away, and it is once again time to preview every NBA franchise. I will be covering the teams in the Eastern Conference and my colleague, Joel Beatton, will feature teams in the Western Conference. Today we are featuring the Chicago Bulls.
Key Acquisitions
The Bulls signed two players in a reserve role in the offseason. They came to terms with point guard Jevon Carter of Maywood, Illinois on a three-year contract worth $20 million on June 30 according to Joseph Zucker of Bleacher Report, and forward Torrey Craig of Columbia, South Carolina on a two-year deal worth $5.4 million on July 17 according to Harvey Glassbrook of Sports Illustrated.
Carter averaged eight points last season with the Milwaukee Bucks. He has previously played for the Memphis Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns, and Brooklyn Nets. Craig averaged 7.4 points last season with the Suns. He has previously played for the Denver Nuggets, Bucks and Indiana Pacers.
Fantasy Star
Bulls center Nikola Vucevic, who was born in Switzerland, but plays internationally for Montenegro, is 10th among centers in fantasy basketball. Last season he averaged 17.6 points per game, 11 rebounds per game, and 3.2 assists per game. In a remarkable and almost eery form of consistency, Vucevic had the exact statistical line for all three categories in 2021-22 too. Also this past season, Vucevic had a .520 field goal percentage, a .349 three point percentage, and an .835 free throw percentage.
Projected Finish
The Bulls finished in third place in the Central Division last season, but did not make any significant moves to their current lineup. Don’t be surprised if they are passed by the Indiana Pacers this season, as guard Tyrese Haliburton of Oshkosh, Wisconsin is expected to have a breakout year. Chicago should contend for a play-in tournament spot, but it is unlikely they will be in the top six.
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