Players the Chicago Bulls can build on if they tear the roster down

If the Chicago Bulls decide to tear down their current roster, here are a couple of players they should consider building on.

© Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls’ recent string of success has given the front office a glimpse of what the team may become if and when they decide to rebuild. While Zach LaVine’s foot injury is unfortunate, it has allowed for several young players to step up and prove themselves worthy of a spot in the next iteration of this storied franchise. Here are a couple of players the Bulls must consider if they decide to tear down the roster and start anew.

Coby White

LaVine’s extended absence has placed the ball more in White’s hands, and the former Tar Heel has delivered. Over the Bulls’ last nine games, he has been red-hot, averaging 21.8 points, 4.7 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game while making nearly five threes per game.

Coby with another triple 👌@NBCSChicago | @CobyWhite pic.twitter.com/tfiKiEHFsR

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 9, 2023

“White wants to solidify himself as a starting point guard, and an extended stretch without LaVine naturally places more onus on White. He must be better than ever as a shooter, slasher, passer, and organizer. He’s off to a good start this season,” Darnell Mayberry wrote for The Athletic.

Coby’s all-around improvement has not been lost on coach Billy Donovan. Whereas White was focused on generating points during his first few seasons in the league, Donovan shares that White is now keen on making “winning plays.”

“I think Coby back then (in his rookie season), his mindset was just totally on scoring. And I think now he’s become more of a guy, like, ‘How do I impact winning?’” Donovan said, pointing out the two offensive fouls White took on New Orleans forward Zion Williamson as key examples.

Patrick Williams

Many had high expectations for power forward Patrick Williams this season. It’s safe to say he has yet to live up to any of them. Although the former Florida State star has played better of late, scoring in double-figures in seven of his last eight games on stout shooting numbers, he has yet to showcase his full potential as a two-way player.

But Donovan believes there isn’t one element of Williams’ game that can be pointed to as the reason for the slow start. He said it’s more about the big picture and understanding what it takes to be successful at this level, especially when playing winning basketball.

“We want to see Patrick do well. Everybody believes in Patrick. He has certainly shown in the time that he’s been here a lot of positive signs of growth. And I don’t want to use his age as an excuse because this is his fourth year in the league. He does have a lot of experience under his belt. … But the one thing I respect about Patrick in my conversations with him has always been, ‘I have to figure this out.’ And I’ve always admired guys who do that. And I think he’s worked hard to try to do that,” Donovan said of the fourth-year forward.

The Paw cleaning the boards 🧼@NBCSChicago | #SeeRed pic.twitter.com/IgMxexvYQE

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 9, 2023

Chicago Bulls insider explains why the team's "Big 3" isn't working well together