How the Chicago Bulls can take the next step if they bring the core back

It’s a long shot, but here’s how the Bulls can break through with the same core they had this past season.

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If the Chicago Bulls executive Arturas Karnisovas is to be believed, continuity is the name of his game. He claimed this during the season-ending press conference on April 14, and from the look of things during the beginning of the offseason, the Bulls are already negotiating a brand-new deal for starting center Nikola Vucevic.

So, barring an unexpected trade involving either DeMar DeRozan or Zach LaVine, all signs point to the “Big 3” returning for next season. Although the futures of guards Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White remain uncertain given their free-agent status, fans can expect more of the same faces come October.

Still, that squad was just not good enough all season long and failed to make it to the postseason. However, hope floats, and here are two ways the Bulls can flourish with the same core they had this season.

Patrick Williams needs to finally make the leap

According to NBC Sports Chicago’s Bull insider, K.C. Johnson, Patrick Williams may hold the key to the team’s success next season. Although his numbers this season don’t jump off the page, there was a lot to like.

“He played all 82 games. He shot 41.5 percent from 3-point range. He averaged double figures for the first time on a team with three primary offensive options ahead of him. He guarded myriad defensive assignments without complaint,” Johnson wrote.

The next step for the former Florida State standout is to assume a full-time starting position. While he embraced a reserve role late in the season, his place, Johnson says, is with the starters.

The “Big 3” must become more efficient

To be fair, DeRozan, LaVine, and Vucevic had stellar seasons. All three were durable, with Vucevic also playing all 82 games of the regular campaign. However, despite playing a lot of minutes together, the three just didn’t mesh.

“Individually, LaVine, DeRozan and Vucevic all had solid seasons. But in their league-leading 1,642 shared minutes together, they produced an offensive rating of just 111.3,” Johnson highlighted.

If the Bulls are to make their way back to the playoffs, they must find a way for their “Big 3” to become more effective together. For Johnson, the answer is simple:

“The coaching staff and players must figure out a way to unlock its collective rather than individual power.”