NBA: Predicting the 2019 draft lottery teams

SPRINGFIELD, MA - JANUARY 15: R.J. Barrett #5 of Montverde Academy dribbles during a game against Mater Dei High School during the 2018 Spalding Hoophall Classic at Blake Arena at Springfield College on January 15, 2018 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
SPRINGFIELD, MA - JANUARY 15: R.J. Barrett #5 of Montverde Academy dribbles during a game against Mater Dei High School during the 2018 Spalding Hoophall Classic at Blake Arena at Springfield College on January 15, 2018 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 17: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls competes in the 2018 Taco Bell Skills Challenge at Staples Center on February 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 17: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls competes in the 2018 Taco Bell Skills Challenge at Staples Center on February 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

7. Chicago Bulls

Zach LaVine’s offer sheet from the Sacramento Kings was matched and Jabari Parker left Milwaukee to come home. If both, along with sophomore Lauri Markkanen, are 100 percent next season, Chicago could be a borderline playoff team.

Parker was a 20 point per game guy in his last semi-healthy season and has improved his stroke from behind the arc every season he’s been in the league. Kris Dunn took a big step as a sophomore, although the defense and efficiency left a little to be desired. Wendell Carter Jr. looked great in Summer League flashing a little bit of everything in Vegas.

Outside of the five young core players, the Chicago Bulls aren’t exactly brimming with talent. Some guys, including Chandler Hutchinson the Bulls other first-round pick, might be a pleasant surprise this season, but this still isn’t a team heading to the playoffs. This young Chicago Bulls team is trending upwards, they just aren’t quite ready yet.