Bulls Playoff Odds: Can the Chicago Bulls Make the Playoffs?
Let’s take a look at the Bulls Playoff Odds; Can the Chicago Bulls Make the Playoffs in 2021-22?
The Chicago Bulls used to be a storied franchise back when they had Michael Jordan. A lot has changed since then. They have made the postseason several times since 1998, but none that has ended with a trip to the Finals. Now they are currently on a four-year playoff drought.
There were high expectations last season at the trade deadline, when they acquired All-Star center Nikola Vucevic. However, they failed to even make the play-in games. This organization cannot seem to get past its failures.
The Bulls are going all out this season in order to make the postseason once again. However, can they ultimately break this drought and get back there?
Bulls Playoff Odds: The New Roster Looks Good on Paper
As of right now, the Bulls’ winning odds are lined up at 42.5 wins. That should be good enough to at least get them in the play-in tournament in the Eastern Conference. That would be a big improvement from last season, as they only won 31 games.
What is the cause for this spike in wins? The new roster for the Bulls has potential. They grabbed a fresh group of new players to help their All-Stars in Vucevic and Zach LaVine.
They signed Alex Caruso and Lonzo Ball this summer to help alleviate ball-handling duties and playmaking. They traded for athletic forward Derrick Jones. Lastly, the Bulls went out and grabbed a former All-Star in DeMar DeRozan.
The roster on paper looks good, especially for the Eastern Conference, which is usually the second-best conference behind the West. All of the tools that a team needs in order to make the postseason; the Bulls possess that. The next step is to actually put it all together.
DraftKings has the Bulls’ odds to win the 2021-22 NBA Finals at +7000 and their odds to make the playoffs at -165. Their odds to miss the playoffs are at +130.
There is more to making the playoffs just for the betterment of the franchise. The organization has an issue on its hands with the franchise guy, Zach LaVine.
They Need to Make it to Keep LaVine
The best player over the last few years for the Bulls has undoubtedly been LaVine. However, he has never made the postseason with any team, let alone the Bulls. He is determined to get there and last season was his chance.
The team faltered towards the end, but he missed a decent chunk of it due to Covid protocols. This season might be his last in a Bulls uniform. He is entering the final year of his contract with the team.
There is an immense amount of pressuring riding on a playoff appearance and maybe even a series win. LaVine just switched agents, as he is now represented by Rich Paul. He is also a West Coast guy growing up in Washington and going to college at UCLA.
The playoffs are a must for the Bulls this season. The last chance to keep their star player is what this season means to them. The Bulls look as if they can make the postseason. Whether they will is a different story.