Fansided

NBA Season Preview 2018-19: Every team’s best case scenario

By John Hugar

SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 26: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls reacts against the Brooklyn Nets in the fourth quarter during their game at Barclays Center on February 26, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 26: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls reacts against the Brooklyn Nets in the fourth quarter during their game at Barclays Center on February 26, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Chicago Bulls

Things sure do look a lot nicer than they did last year, here! For one thing, Lauri Markannen looks a lot more like Dirk than Bargnani, and with the selection of Wendell Carter, Jr. (who had a great Summer League), they have two of the most promising young bigs in the game. Keeping Zach Lavine proved to be more costly than expected thanks to a generous offer from the Kings that the Bulls decided to match, but bringing in Jabari Parker along with him gives the Bulls an intriguing roster with plenty of upside. The Bulls have landed on their feet after trading Jimmy Butler, and have the potential to take another step forward in 2018-19.

Exactly how much of a leap they can make depends on how much production they can get from a roster that is:

A. Extremely young (Markannen/Carter, Jr.)
B. Historically injury prone (Lavine/Parker)

Would I bet on this Bulls team to make the playoffs? Probably not, because they need a few too many things to go right. But if they stay healthy, and benefit from a still-weak Eastern Conference, a win total in the high-30s is hardly out of the question.