18. Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are another team that I simply don’t have a handle on. Lonzo Ball is not healthy to start the season and was a key part of the team’s early-season success last season. The Bulls still have a talented roster besides Ball; with DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams, and others, but I’m not sure how good they can be.
The Bulls are good, but not great. And in the midst of a season with so much parity, that may not be a great thing.
17. New York Knicks
On paper, the New York Knicks got better this offseason. They added Jalen Brunson and re-signed key parts of the team’s rotation. Still, the onus will fall on RJ Barrett this season. If he doesn’t make the jump that many expect him to make, I’m not sure if the Knicks will be that improved compared to last season.
This team is far from a guaranteed playoff squad.