The Chicago Bulls have remained stagnant over the last three seasons. In addition to finishing with close to identical records (39-43 or 40-42), they’ve finished either ninth or tenth, making them a perennial Eastern Conference play-in team.
Worst yet, the six-time National Basketball Association champions last won a playoff series in 2014-15 thanks to players like Jimmy Butler, Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah, and Derrick Rose. Meanwhile, their latest playoff victory occurred in the 2021-22 season, but they ultimately lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in five games.
Will the Bulls’ fortunes change in their upcoming 2025-26 campaign? Conversely, Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey sees the Bulls slightly regressing based on his win-loss prediction.
Bulls Stuck in Play-In Territory
Bailey predicted the Bulls to finish with a 35-47 record. If that happens, Chicago will have four consecutive losing seasons and five under coach Billy Donovan.
Josh Giddey’s status will heavily impact the Bulls’ fate. “If Chicago ends up losing him (Giddey) for nothing, its win total would have to be adjusted down. Over his last 25 games of 2024-25, Giddey led the Bulls to a 13-12 record and averaged 20.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, 8.1 assists, 2.0 threes and 1.4 steals,” Bailey wrote.
Beyond Giddey, the Bulls have a decent core composed of Coby White, Matas Buzelis, and Nikola Vucevic. Ayo Dosunmu can also provide some scoring, while Patrick Williams gives big men like Vucevic a breather.
Meanwhile, FanDuel Sportsbook has the Bulls’ over/under at 30.5 wins. Bookies.com’s Bill Speros also wrote that the Bulls will travel the third-fewest miles (36,428.70) across 37 time zones and 16 road trips.