Bulls Season Predictions: Shooting Guards |
As we continue to prepare for the upcoming NBA season, with the start of preseason on the way, we will continue to work through this Bulls roster and preview what you might expect to see. This roster has looked the same for the better part of three years, and the front office was very content with running it back once more as they feel they have the talent to be one of the better teams in the East.
The other day, it was all about the point guard position, as that could be the only position up for grabs at this point. The rest of this roster is clear-cut, and dry regarding who starts where and how often they will play, including the SG position. Not only could this be the deepest position on the team, but it will generate the most offense as two players and one additional role player will be counted on a ton this year.
Now entering the second season of his massive five-year supermax deal, all of the pressure will fall on LaVine this season as he will be counted on to be a leader. Lavine has continued to hear his name in trade talks around the league, and you have to think that will weigh on him at some point. Toward the end of last season, LaVine was the best player on this team, and he started to look like the player of old with his knee back to 100%. This season, there are no excuses. He is 100% and needs to play that way from start to finish if the Bulls want any realistic shot at going anywhere this season. Prediction: 75 games, 26.4 PPG, 4.8 RBG, 4.5 APG LaVine will play a ton of minutes this season, but he will also be given days off when needed. However, this guy can score when he is on the floor, and the Bulls will need him to score this season. His overall offensive game has evolved over the past two seasons, and he has become one of the better and more efficient shooters from beyond the arc. LaVine has also shown the versatility to play the PG position if needed, which is something to watch this season. If one area of his game needs to be worked on, it would be his defense, as he was a defensive liability at times in crunch time.Zach LaVine
Coby White
The million-dollar question this offseason was what to do with Coby White and his future on this team. When he was in the game, White showed the ability to score, but was always an inconsistent player at best. Last season saw White deliver the consistency the Bulls were hoping for, and it paid off in the end as he signed a three-year 42 million 42-million-dollar extension this offseason to return to Chicago.
With that financial side out of the way and taken care of, it is time for White to focus on the 2023-24 season, which he expects to be good. If White were on any other team, he would have no trouble cracking the starting lineup, and you could make the case he should start with the Bulls even if he plays the PG position.
However, playing PG isn't natural for him. Even with White on the bench, he is a very valuable asset to have, as he can become one of the best sixth-man players in the league. His scoring ability and outside shooting presence are something the Bulls need, and they are expecting big things from him in 2023-24.
Prediction: 77 games, 14.7 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 3.1 APG
If White was a starter, you could expect him to give you 18-20 PPG with ease. However, even with a slightly diminished role, White is still going to provide you with close to 30 minutes per contest and will have the ability to give you plenty of offense off the bench.
Consistency has always been an issue for him, and that was less an issue last season. Should he continue to make the strides he showed last year and play with that same confidence level, Chicago will be getting the player they hoped for when they drafted him in the first round.
Dalen Terry
One of the bigger disappointments last season was not seeing 2022 first-round pick Dalen Terry see more time on the floor. Granted, a lot of that fell on Billy Donovan, but if you take someone in the first round, you have to play them if you want them to develop at the rate they need to. That has never been something Donovan has done, and he has been criticized for it a lot.
When it came to Terry and his development, he had to spend a ton of time in the G-League, but put up some solid numbers in the process. In his 30-plus games with Windy City, Terry averaged better than 14 PPG while adding six RPG and 4 APG. He translated that into some late-season minutes with the Bulls and showed a lot of potential when finally given the chance. It is time to take the training wheels off and let him grow even more as a player.
Prediction: 65 games, 6.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.2 APG
Terry has a lot to work on with his game, but he also has a ton of potential. He flashed that potential during the final month of the season last year, but then took some steps back in the Summer League before closing out the summer strong.
This will be a crucial season for his development as he will not be in the G-League. Instead, he will have to work to crack the rotation, and given his defensive ability, I think he does. The only question is how many minutes will Donovan give him and how much time will Terry get to show what he can do.
