Chicago Bulls' Rebuilding Phase Gaining Momentum Amid Skepticism

The Chicago Bulls have been cautious in their approach to rebuilding their roster for several years. After Tom Thibodeau's exit in 2015, the franchise spent two seasons under Fred Hoiberg before initiating a more definitive rebuild in 2017. During this period, key players like Jimmy Butler were traded, and the team acquired Zach LaVine, who was recovering from injuries but showed promise. The Bulls also leaned heavily on promising young talents such as Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter Jr., and Coby White, many of whom were selected through the lottery. However, early trade decisions did not always favor long-term growth. The team traded away Markkanen and Carter Jr. within a few months, receiving veterans like Nikola Vucevic, Al-Faroug Aminu, Derrick Jones Jr., and a lottery-protected first-round pick in return. Alongside roster changes, the Bulls underwent shifts in coaching and management. With Billy Donovan now at the helm, Chicago continued to add experienced players, including Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso, and DeMar DeRozan, during a single offseason. Despite this, the team achieved a maximum of 46 wins and began to dismantle its veteran core after the 2023-24 season. Since then...