Fansided

NBA post-free agency power rankings

By Brendon Kleen

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers attends a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers attends a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 11: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls reacts at the end of the first half against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on March 11, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 11: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls reacts at the end of the first half against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on March 11, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

23. Chicago Bulls

Chicago seems to be on a quest to avoid an all-out tank in their chase for post-Derrick Rose relevance.

Besides matching the gargantuan 4-year, $78 million offer sheet Zach LaVine signed with the Kings, Chicago also went out and grabbed Chicago native Jabari Parker to be their starting small forward. In addition, they drafted Wendell Carter Jr. and watched as he had a great Summer League debut.

It will be tough for this coaching staff to sculpt a reliable defense out of this group, considering the shortcomings of LaVine and Parker and the overall youth of the roster. But young teams rarely play good defense anyway, and the Parker signing especially brings great value to the team despite the fact he will be playing out of position at small forward. It has an option on the second year, meaning if Parker gels with the other youngsters and the team looks good, they can bring him back for his $20 million salary and have more means to re-sign him in 2020.

There’s no foolproof way to build a young team, as long as acquiring young talent is the priority. Rather than nabbing future assets in salary-dump trades like the Hawks or Nets, Chicago decided to go all-in this year with the spending flexibility they possessed.

Next year, they will roll out a talented starting five of Kris Dunn, LaVine, Parker, Lauri Markkanen and Carter. Considering just the value relative to price and upside of that group, few teams in the league can match it.

Everyone needs to get better, but at least the Bulls are going somewhere after losing Rose and Jimmy Butler within five years of one another.

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