This article is part of our NBA Team Previews series.
STATE OF THE FRANCHISE
The Chicago Bulls entered the 2013-14 season with renewed hope as their star player Derrick Rose was finally returning from a torn ACL. However, their hope quickly turned to disappointment as Rose went down early in the season with a torn meniscus in his right knee. The Bulls still managed to finish the season 48-34, but they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Washington Wizards. The Bulls made quite a few changes during the summer as they amnestied Carlos Boozer and brought in Pau Gasol, Nikola Mirotic, and Aaron Brooks, while also drafting Doug McDermott. They hope to finally have a healthy Rose to go along with these key additions and Defensive Player of the Year Joakim Noah.
PLAYING TIME DISTRIBUTION
Derrick Rose will be the team's starting point guard if healthy and should play 30-35 minutes per game. Veteran Kirk Hinrich will be the primary backup at the point and could also see some time at shooting guard, which should result in about 20-25 minutes per game. Aaron Brooks will also likely see limited minutes at both point guard and shooting guard. Jimmy Butler will be the starting shooting guard and should play 35-40 minutes per game. Mike Dunleavy will likely start at small forward and should play 25-30 minutes per game. Tony Snell and Doug McDermott will both likely see time as backups on the wing and could each play 10-15 minutes per game. Pau Gasol will be the starting power forward and should play 30-35 minutes per game. He may also see some time at center. Nikola Mirotic will serve as a backup at power forward and should play around 10-15 minutes per game. Joakim Noah will be the starting center and should play 30-35 minutes per game. Taj Gibson will serve as a backup at center and power forward and should play 25-30 minutes per game. Cameron Bairstow has a chance to make the team as a backup center and power forward as well but would likely only play limited minutes.
PLAYER OUTLOOKS
Centers
Joakim Noah: By this point, Noah has solidified himself as one of the most productive all-around big men in the NBA. The defensive stalwart is entering his eighth season in the NBA. Last season, Noah averaged 12.6 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.5 blocks in 35 minutes per game while playing in 80 contests. The center was honored as the Defensive Player of the Year and received his second All-Star nod. Noah upped his assist total significantly for the second straight season, defining himself as one of the best passing big men in the NBA. With Derrick Rose returning, Noah won't be relied upon to set up his teammates as much, but the increase in assists is encouraging, nonetheless. The knock on Noah has always been his ability to score around the basket, and there's little reason to believe that he'll ever develop into a threatening offensive player. The center shot just 48 percent from the field last season, which ranked fourth-to-last among qualified centers. Don't expect his production on the glass to change dramatically, despite the departure of Carlos Boozer. Boozer and his replacement, Pau Gasol, had nearly identical rebound and usage rates last season. If energy and passion were measured in fantasy, Noah would be among the elite. Unfortunately, his contributions to the Bulls' success often doesn't appear in the box score.
Forwards
Pau Gasol: Gasol will get a fresh start on the Bulls after toiling away on a lowly Lakers squad last season. In 60 games, Gasol averaged 17.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks in 31 minutes per game. The veteran forward struggled to fit into coach Mike D'Antoni's offensive system, and the two reportedly clashed as the season wore on. While Gasol still turned in another productive season, a new city and system will likely benefit him, as he enters his 14th year in the NBA. The Spaniard figures to be the perfect complement to the Defensive Player of the Year, Joakim Noah, as he provides a strong low-post scoring presence that the Bulls have lacked in recent years. Coach Tom Thibodeau noted that he'll be utilizing Gasol's diverse skill set this season, particularly his passing ability out of the post and his effectiveness as a playmaker at the elbows. The big man's team-first attitude should mesh well with the type of philosophy that the Bulls have been moving toward over the past few seasons. Gasol plays excellent team defense even if he sometimes struggles in one-on-one situations. His minutes will probably take a small hit due to his age and the sheer amount of talent in the Chicago frontcourt, but don't expect Gasol's numbers to fade too drastically. Look for Gasol to have a revitalized season with the most talent he's had around him since his Lakers' championship teams.
Mike Dunleavy: Dunleavy began the 2013-14 season as the backup to Luol Deng before Deng was traded to the Cavaliers mid-season. The move gave the veteran forward ample playing time as one of the Bulls' only true outside scoring threats. Dunleavy is entering his 13th season in the NBA and his second with Chicago. Last season, Dunleavy finished with averages of 11.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks in 32 minutes per game while playing in all 82 contests. Dunleavy isn't a lock to hang onto the small forward position this season, with rookie Doug McDermott set to challenge the veteran for a shot at a starting spot. Rust wasn't so much an issue for Dunleavy despite his age, but coach Tom Thibodeau may not want to throw the 34-year-old out for 30 minutes per night again with other options on his bench. And if McDermott does in fact wrestle away the starting job, they'll likely split time at the three. Regardless, Dunleavy's value really rests on his shooting stroke, which was on full display in the postseason, most notably in the first round against the Wizards, when his 35-point, eight-three-pointer performance almost single-handedly prevented the Bulls from facing a 3-0 series deficit. With the addition of a few important, new pieces, it's difficult to project exactly how Thibodeau will use Dunleavy this season. Regardless, though, he can serve as a three-point specialist in head-to-head leagues that place an emphasis on outside shooting.
Taj Gibson: The 29-year-old power forward is entering his sixth season in the NBA, all with the Bulls. Last season, Gibson averaged 13.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.5 steals, and 1.4 blocks in 29 minutes a game while playing in all 82 contests. He shot just under 48 percent from the field while attempting 10.9 shots a game. Gibson had a career year from the charity stripe, getting to the line 3.4 times per game and connecting on 75 percent of his chances. Thanks to his high-energy defense and improved post game, he finished second in the Sixth Man of the Year voting. It was his most productive season to date, as he finished the year ranked 12th in defensive win shares. After Carlos Boozer was amnestied, Gibson looked like a lock to be Chicago's starting power forward for the 2014-15 season, but the acquisition of Pau Gasol has complicated that notion. Although Gibson will still be a major minutes eater for coach Tom Thibodeau's squad, Gasol should be the starter at power forward all season. Nikola Mirotic could swipe some playing time from Gibson but not until the talented European import can prove himself to Thibodeau. Gibson became much more aggressive on the offensive side of the ball last season, attempting four more shots per game than in 2012-13. His shot attempts are likely to drop with the additional firepower now in the frontcourt. Overall, there are no glaring weaknesses in Gibson's game, and he should continue to show improvement on an upgraded Bulls squad. His contributions on both sides of the ball will be welcomed in most formats as long as he gets the minutes.
Nikola Mirotic: The Bulls have been patiently waiting for Mirotic to come over from Real Madrid since they received his draft rights back in 2011, and now they'll be able to see what the former Euroleague MVP can do against better competition. Mirotic averaged 12.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 24 minutes per game last season. The 23-year-old is the epitome of a stretch four, with the length and lights-out shooting ability that could take him far in the NBA. He shot a staggering 46 percent from deep last season for Real Madrid, which is impressive despite the shortened perimeter. Mirotic has also been described as deceptively athletic for his size, so even if his defensive chops aren't up to standard, coach Tom Thibodeau at least has the clay to mold his newest stopper. The question that lingers is playing time. With the addition of Pau Gasol, the Bulls' frontcourt is crowded. However, so long as Mirotic can adjust to the pace of the NBA - and he lives up to his billing - he should have no problem carving out a spot in the rotation. Mirotic needs to work on adding more strength to avoid getting pushed around in the paint, but by all accounts, he still fights hard for rebounds and space on both ends of the floor. There's really no way to tell how his game will translate until he hits the court, but the potential is certainly fascinating.
Doug McDermott: One look at what Chicago gave up to get McDermott in this summer's draft speaks volumes about what the organization thinks of the former Naismith Award winner. Chicago gave up two 2014 first-round picks in addition to a 2015 second-rounder. McDermott spent four years at Creighton polishing his impressive offensive repertoire and now looks to translate his scoring prowess to the pros. In his senior season, he averaged 26.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.2 steals, and 0.1 blocks in 34 minutes per game. A frequent victim of double-teams and defensive focus, McDermott was still able to put together his most productive college season. The pick appears to make complete sense for the Bulls, who have lacked a scoring punch without Derrick Rose on the court. McDermott's value largely stems from his ability to shoot the rock. In his four years at Creighton, he shot 46 percent from deep. The Bulls, perhaps more than any other team in the NBA, could use another deep threat. Chicago ranked dead last in team scoring last season and 23rd in three-point percentage. As much as McDermott may struggle defensively, Thibodeau can't ignore the team's offensive impotence for another season. There should be enough stoppers to mask the rookie's weaknesses and allow him to contribute some major minutes for this Bulls team. Fantasy owners should practice patience in attempting to gauge exactly what kind of value McDermott provides, especially as a rookie. If he can continue to shoot it like he did in college, it could pay big dividends, particularly in head-to-head leagues that value three-point shooting.
Cameron Bairstow: Unfortunately for Bairstow, the Bulls are deep, especially in the frontcourt. The rookie out of New Mexico will be fighting for playing time behind All-Stars and vets who have a firm grasp on their minutes. At 6-10 and 255 pounds, Bairstow is a tough, physical player who will certainly impress coach Tom Thibodeau with his effort, if nothing else. In his senior season, he averaged 20.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.6 steals, and 1.5 blocks in 33 minutes per game. Bairstow has a diverse offensive repertoire, with the ability to post-up or threaten opponents with a reliable mid-range jumper. There are concerns with his footwork and ability to defend at the NBA level, but reports out of the summer league have been positive for the big man. The true challenge for Bairstow will be cracking the rotation, which means he'll have to convince the ever-insatiable Thibodeau to trust him.
Guards
Derrick Rose: In 10 games last season, Rose averaged 15.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.1 blocks in 31 minutes per game before he suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee. With just 49 games under his belt over the past three seasons, there are doubts that Rose will ever be the same player again, but even at 75 percent he's still an exceptional player who will have a major impact. With a strong supporting cast in Chicago this year, there won't be as much pressure on Rose to do everything himself. He'll especially have help offensively with the arrival of legitimate scoring threats in Pau Gasol, Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic. Rose has sworn up-and-down that he will not be changing his aggressive, slashing style of play to take the pressure off of his knees, but it won't be known for certain until we see him running the offense again. As a member of Team USA this summer, Rose did not appear limited by any lingering knee issues, though he did struggle, at times, offensively. It's tough to peg how Rose's production will be affected by some of the drastic changes this Bulls team has undergone over the past few seasons, but he's still the most important factor to his squad's success. With the type of competitor he's proven to be, he will likely stop at nothing to make sure he returns to All-Star status. Patience will be key for fantasy owners who to decide to scoop up Rose, as an adjustment period will almost certainly be required before he returns to form.
Jimmy Butler: Many expected Jimmy Butler to make a big leap forward last season, and while his production increased, his efficiency took a big hit in the process. Butler averaged 13.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.9 steals, and 0.5 blocks in 39 minutes per game while playing in 67 contests. Now entering his fourth season, he'll look to improve upon his relatively unpolished offensive skill set while continuing to take on some of the toughest defensive assignments in the NBA. Thanks in large part to the mid-season trade of Luol Deng, he saw his minutes rise dramatically last season and was constantly relied upon by coach Tom Thibodeau to grind out games. With the increase in playing time, Butler increased his output, attempting 10.3 shots per game. In turn, he saw his field goal percentage fall below the 40 percent threshold. With the return of Derrick Rose and the addition of other scorers, there will be less pressure on Butler to force the issue on the offensive end. Depth issues plagued the Bulls last season and Butler was called upon to log an incredible amount of minutes for Chicago. While Butler may still be the workhorse on the wing, Thibodeau has significantly more capable options this season, including Tony Snell and European rookie Nikola Mirotic. As long as Butler continues to struggle offensively, he remains a lower-tier fantasy option unless your format values steals.
Kirk Hinrich:Kirk Hinrich is certainly on the downslope of his career, but by no means is he ineffective. In his 12th NBA season, the veteran guard was thrust into the starting role for a second consecutive year after Derrick Rose went down with a meniscus injury, but he will return to the bench if the former MVP can manage to stay on the floor. Last season, Hinrich averaged 9.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.4 blocks in 29 minutes per game. The fan favorite is known for his hard-nosed approach to defense and leadership on the court, intangibles that don't lead to big numbers in the box score. Now with Aaron Brooks as an insurance policy, there will be fewer minutes to go around in the Bulls' backcourt. Hinrich will surely get his time on the floor but will likely see a drop in numbers thanks to the improved supporting cast. He lacks enough value in most formats but could be a helpful addition in deeper leagues if he's called upon to bear a big load similar to last season.
Tony Snell: Snell is entering his second season in the NBA after a quiet rookie year. The swingman averaged 4.5 points, 1.6 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.4 steals, and 0.2 blocks in 16 minutes per game while making 77 appearances last season. He struggled offensively, shooting just 38 percent from the field and 32 percent from behind the arc, both significant drop-offs from his final season at New Mexico. Snell looked much more confident in his second go-round at the Las Vegas Summer League, notching First-Team All-Summer League honors while averaging 20 points per game. The rangy Snell should see a spike in playing time with a year's worth of experience under his belt, just as Jimmy Butler did after one season under coach Tom Thibodeau. Unfortunately for Snell, one of the Bulls' bigger issues this season will be finding enough minutes to go around for their reserve players. With Mike Dunleavy and Butler returning, Snell will be hard-pressed to see a major jump in playing time, which will keep him from attaining any real fantasy value outside of deeper leagues.
Aaron Brooks: Brooks couldn't have landed in a better spot when he was signed by the Bulls in July. The guard, who's entering his seventh season in the NBA, could be the next in a long line of undersized guards who have thrived in coach Tom Thibodeau's system. Like Nate Robinson and D.J. Augustin before him, Brooks is an offensive-minded player who needs a bit of a career-revival. Unfortunately, he'll likely be pegged as an insurance policy in the event that Derrick Rose or Kirk Hinrich go down. Last year, Brooks played 72 games while splitting time with the Rockets and Nuggets, averaging 9.0 points, 1.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.2 blocks in 22 minutes per game. When Augustin stepped in for Rose and Hinrich in 2013-14, it filled an enormous void for the Bulls, who were missing someone who could slash and shoot. While Brooks won't be seeing the floor for 30 minutes per game like Augustin did, he'll likely be asked to fill a similar role in shorter spurts. He won't be the most desirable fantasy option heading into the season, but if things break the wrong way for Chicago, Brooks may become a valuable asset as the year plays out.
SLEEPER
Taj Gibson: Gibson averaged 13.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game last season despite averaging only 29 minutes. He and Hinrich are the leaders of the second unit for the Bulls, and Gibson's defensive intensity helps to stem the tide while Noah gets his rest. Even though the Bulls brought in both Gasol and Mirotic to finally give them four solid frontcourt players, fantasy owners shouldn't think that means Gibson will see his role decrease dramatically. Gasol has been injury prone, and Mirotic is an unproven commodity. Noah has also dealt with some injuries over his career. If any of them were to go down for an extended period of time, Gibson would likely log heavy minutes. He's not an elite fantasy option by any means, but he could be a very solid contributor that can be had in the later rounds of the draft.
BUST
Pau Gasol: Gasol is without question an upgrade for the Bulls over Boozer this season, as the coaching staff had lost all confidence in Boozer's ability to contribute on either end of the floor. Gasol is an excellent scorer in the post who also has a solid jump shot. If he can stay healthy, he could put together a very valuable fantasy season. However, that's a big if. He has played 65 games or less in four the last five seasons while dealing with various injuries. The Bulls have a lot of depth behind Gasol as well, especially in Gibson. There's a chance that, like Boozer, Gasol could find himself on the bench down the stretch if he doesn't play defense to Thibodeau's liking. Gasol could still have a very solid season, but there are a lot of risks involved for a player who will likely go in the earlier rounds of most drafts based on past performances rather than current value.
