NBA season preview: 5 big questions for the Chicago Bulls

4. How much better can Lonzo Ball get?

In his four years in the NBA, Lonzo Ball has generally played well. It’s just that because the expectations were so high going in, he’s felt a tad underwhelming (his brother LaMelo immediately making an impact on the Hornets didn’t help matters there). He’s a quality role player for sure, and his range keeps getting better, but he was supposed to be a star.

This summer, the Bulls signed him to a four-year $85 million contract. Depending on how Ball performs, this contract could end up looking like a steal or a massive overpay. There’s reason to be optimistic; Ball has improved every year since his rookie season, and he would appear to be a perfect fit with LaVine in the backcourt. If he can continue to improve as a shooter, the Bulls should have excellent spacing.

While Ball remains a pass-first player, he’s become a bit more confident in his shooting abilities, with a career-high usage rate of 20.5 percent last season. Ball may never become the superstar some expected him to be when he entered the league, but if he can continue to gradually improve as he reaches his prime, he could be a key piece for the Bulls going forward.