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DeMar DeRozan or Zach Lavine? Bulls Brace for Harsh Ultimatum as One NBA All-Star Expected to Ditch

Published 10/24/2023, 3:45 PM EDT

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The Chicago Bulls have a very storied past, with the greatest of all-time donning their colors, Bulls were the epitome of success in the 1990s. However, following their 1990s glory days, the Bulls have become one of the most dysfunctional franchises in the NBA. Over the last twenty years, the Bulls have been a continual source of disappointment for their fan base, offering only brief instances of hope and success amid prolonged struggles.

Under the leadership of Marc Eversley, the Bulls tried to mount another assault on the NBA title. But their efforts fell flat due to ill timed and unfortunate injuries to key players. Now, with their title hopes stuck in limbo, he faces a challenging decision regarding the future of two of their star players.

Something’s Got to Give

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The 2020-21 NBA season was a remarkable turnaround for the Chicago Bulls. After years of underperformance and disappointment, they emerged as an unexpected playoff contender. Under the leadership of Marc Eversley, the Bulls’ front office made a pivotal decision to bolster their roster and support their star player, Zach LaVine. In the 2021 offseason, they orchestrated a trade to acquire DeMar DeRozan, known for his exceptional scoring ability and mastery of the mid-range game. He, along with LaVine, Lonzo Ball, and Alex Caruso, formed one of the most cohesive units in the NBA that season.

USA Today via Reuters

The Bulls displayed improved teamwork, solid defense, and a competitive spirit, rekindling hopes of an NBA title among their dedicated fan base. But an ill-timed and freak injury to Lonzo Ball derailed their title push for seasons to come. The Bulls faced a disappointing outcome in the previous season. Despite having high hopes of contending for a championship, they finished in the ninth position and were subsequently defeated by the Miami Heat in the play-in tournament.

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The Bulls’ lack of identity and direction has seen them slip down the pecking order. A poor start to the 2023-24 season could prove to be the last straw for this iteration of Bulls. According to journalist Jake Weinbach, the Bulls would look to trade either DeRozan or LaVine in order to recuperate draft picks and young players for a future rebuild. Given the current disarray of the Bulls’ franchise, fans are likely to look back with nostalgia at their team’s heydays in the 1990s.

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Unparalleled Dominance

During the 1990s, the Chicago Bulls experienced an era of unparalleled dominance in the NBA. Led by the legendary Michael Jordan, the team won six NBA championships in a single decade. Coached by Phil Jackson, the Bulls’ roster included not only Jordan but also other iconic players like Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman.

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Their success was not limited to just winning titles; they played a pivotal role in popularizing the sport worldwide. The Bulls’ combination of extraordinary talent, relentless work ethic, and a strong team ethos established them as one of the greatest dynasties in the history of the NBA.

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Written by:

Dushyant Singh

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Dushyant Singh is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. His basketball script journey began in 2020 when he was captivated by the Los Angeles Lakers’ triumphant NBA championship win. Before that he was merely dribbling and dunking as a boy next door.
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Edited by:

Anuj Jacob