Best-case scenario
Barring injuries, this team has the talent to be one of the most dynamic teams in the East.
They possess an All-Star level talent in Zach LaVine and prototypical sharpshooting forward in Lauri Markkanen. At the wing position, they have, arguably, the best 3-and-D player in the league with Otto Porter Jr.
Down low protecting the rim, Wendell Carter Jr. has showcased his elite defensive instincts along with an offensive repertoire that resembles Al Horford. And to round it all out, they selected Coby White with the seventh pick. A 6-foot-5 guard that can generate points in a matter of seconds in the open court with his speed and decision-making.
There’s no shortage of talent on this roster. Chicago, also, had an underrated offseason, signing savvy veterans Thaddeus Young and Tomas Satoransky.
This team has rounded out quite nicely.
After the Bulls acquired Otto Porter, their true potential was displayed on the court. In 15 games, they went 7-8. Their record wasn’t impressive, but during this stretch, the Bulls played exceptional basketball and achieved their first win streak of the season (4 games).
In the month of February, Markkanen tapped into some of his elite potential. He averaged 26.5 points, 12 rebounds while shooting 49 percent overall and 38 percent from beyond the arc.
LaVine had himself a month as well. In a 10 game run the two-time Slam Dunk Champ averaged 27.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 6.4 assists. He also shot 52 percent from the field and 47 from 3.
The leadership and skillset of Otto Porter Jr. resonated throughout this young squad and them playing up to their true potential. As this season nears, Porter will have had a full offseason with his teammates to build even more camaraderie. The “ultimate glue-guy” is what I like to call him.
"Playoffs is definitely an achievement that we want to Accomplish. That’s one of our team goals. We know it won’t be easy but we’ll take it one moment at a time." - Otto Porter Jr. #BullsMediaDay pic.twitter.com/4CfVOjCap9
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) September 30, 2019
If this team remains relatively healthy, then I expect a huge jump in victories this season.