The 2022-23 season didn’t start the way the Chicago Bulls had hoped. At this time last year the Bulls were 19-10 and the same cannot be said for their 11-18 record this season. Chicago is 3-7 in their last ten games and is on a four game losing streak. In addition to the losses the Bulls have been going through, news and rumors are coming out about two of their biggest stars being on the court.
Chicago finished sixth in the Eastern Conference last season and lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round. The Bulls wanted to build on their success last year and bring it into the 2022-23 season, but that didn’t happen. They are trying to resolve some lingering questions about whether their two biggest stars can play together this season and beyond. Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan are stars who seem to be at a crossroads.
NBA betting sites have the Bulls at (+20000) to win the Finals this season.
Multiple league sources and sources close to the Bulls organization say Zach LaVine and the Bulls are not seeing eye-to-eye. @ShamsCharania pic.twitter.com/mG4hPr1PrT
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) December 20, 2022
What does the future hold for Chicago’s two stars?
League sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said several team meetings this offseason have helped the Bulls try and resolve their court issues. This even includes a one-on-one meeting between Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan. The two have mutual respect and as recently as last season, the All-Stars declared themselves the best duo in the NBA. The meetings did not lead to a court result and everyone involved starts to get frustrated. Lavin had this to say on the matter.
I think every team goes through ups and downs. It doesn’t look as good as it used to. It’s all shiny when you win games. But when you’re losing games and trying to do the same things, it’s chaos. Everyone has the right to their own opinion. For me, I keep my head down. I will work on my game and try to help my team. I help lead the team. That’s where I stand. I will take it day by day and try to assess how we are doing.” – Zach Lavin
Moreover, in a dive, multiple league sources said LaVine and the Bulls “don’t see eye to eye.” There was a strong sense of disconnect within the franchise regarding the situation with the team. Remember, this all happened in the first season of a $215 million, five-year contract signed this summer. As in any sport, winning cures all and if Chicago can turn the season around, all of that will be a thing of the past.
