Jul 18, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls new players Nikola Mirotic and Pau Gasol pose for photos after a press conference at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bulls (48-34 last season)
Where does one start when talking about how much improved the Chicago Bulls will be? A good way to start is with Derrick Rose returning. When Rose is healthy he is a top 10 player in the league and has showed he can carry his team on the offensive end in the past. The Bulls added four time all-star Pau Gasol, who averaged 17.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. Gasol is a significant upgrade over Carlos Boozer, who was amnestied. The last two additions are rookies: Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic. McDermott is an NBA ready scorer as he is a tremendous shooter that will get clean looks playing with a talented Bulls roster. Mirotic was selected 23rd in the 2011 draft by Houston. Mirotic is so talented that ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla said that he would be a top four pick in this year’s draft and compared him to a young Hedo Turkoglu. Tony Snell, who was a rookie last season played extremely well in summer league and will also look to play a big role in the upcoming season.The Bulls did lose Jimmer Fredette, D.J. Augustin, and Carlos Boozer but the new acquisitions will make it easy to forget about them. Expect the Bulls to win 55-60 games if Rose is healthy and be in the running for the championship.