2025-26 NBA Guide : Chicago Bulls

Bulls: Another Mediocre Season in the Books

The Chicago Bulls’ latest campaign was, in the end, more of the same. For the second consecutive year, they finished with a 39–43 record, nearly identical to their 2022–23 NBA season. By now, mediocrity has become their brand: good enough to hover around the Play-In Tournament, but never quite good enough to make a meaningful playoff push.

Still, there were a few distinct storylines last season. Through early March, the Bulls sat at 24–36, with a stagnant offense and one of the league’s weakest defenses. But something clicked down the stretch. The team reinvented itself, adopting an up-tempo identity, running the floor, pushing fast breaks, and capitalizing on every opportunity in transition.

With a decent defense and a far more dynamic offense, the Bulls went 15–7 to close the season, entering the Play-In with momentum. Unfortunately, that spark fizzled quickly. Facing the Miami Heat, Chicago couldn’t dictate the pace, Miami controlled the tempo, protected the ball, and shut down the Bulls’ transition game. The result was a one-sided loss and yet another premature end to the Bulls’ season.

An Uninspiring Offseason for Bulls

The Bulls’ offseason did little to inspire confidence in a franchise stuck in the middle for years. Their lone trade sent Lonzo Ball to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Isaac Okoro, a solid perimeter defender who can occasionally hit threes but doesn’t move the needle much.

In free agency, Chicago focused on keeping what it already had. They re-signed Tre Jones, who performed well down the stretch, and locked in Josh Giddey to a four-year, $100 million extension after a promising first season with the team.

However, there’s trouble brewing with Coby White. Despite his breakout finish last season, the Bulls are yet to extend his contract. That means he could either be traded or walk for nothing next summer.

The team also drafted Noa Essengue, a French prospect with long-term potential but little expectation of immediate impact. In short, it was an uninspiring summer for a team that badly needed change.

Bulls to Make Another Play-In Run?

Expecting a major leap from Chicago would be wishful thinking. None of the Bulls’ offseason moves suggest significant improvement. If anything, the uncertainty surrounding White and the continued presence of Nikola Vučević only reinforce their stagnant outlook. The front office reportedly tried to move the veteran center but found no takers, meaning the team will once again rely on the same flawed core.

Optimists might hope that the up-tempo style from the end of last season carries over into October, but even then, Chicago’s ceiling remains limited. The most realistic scenario? Yet another year fighting for a Play-In spot.

Coby White Faces a Pivotal Season

Entering the final year of his contract, Coby White will be playing for his next big payday, whether it comes from Chicago or elsewhere. Players often elevate their performance in a contract year, and the Bulls desperately need him to do so.

During March and April, White was electric, averaging 27.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. His speed made him one of the most dangerous transition players in the NBA, perfectly fitting Chicago’s late-season shift in style.

If he can replicate that form, the Bulls might flirt with a playoff berth. But if he regresses, or is traded before the deadline, their season could unravel quickly.

Defensive Improvement Is the Key

Chicago’s defensive issues remain a glaring weakness. With Nikola Vučević anchoring the paint, the Bulls were one of the league’s worst teams at defending the pick-and-roll. The veteran center’s lack of mobility and defensive effort repeatedly left the perimeter exposed — and Chicago doesn’t have the elite guards or wings to cover those gaps.

Last season, they finished with the 12th-worst defense in the NBA. For the Bulls to have any chance of success, that number has to improve. Forcing more turnovers could allow them to play at their preferred faster pace, but unless the defense takes a tangible step forward, Chicago is headed for another year of mediocrity.