Chicago Bulls roster 2023: How does the new lineup for Bulls look after adding Patrick Beverley
The Chicago Bulls' decision to stand pat at the trade deadline and stick with their current roster has been widely criticized. With the team sitting two full games outside of contention for the NBA's play-in tournament, it's clear something needs to change in Chicago.
In the wake of the All-Star break, the team's front office announced that point guard Lonzo Ball has been shut down for the remainder of the season. Despite that, with Patrick Beverley now on board thanks to the buyout market, there's hope that they can make a push for the remainder of the season.
Although the roster hasn't seen a big overhaul, with the addition of a hometown player like Beverley, the team will have new life breathed into its rotations. With that, let's take a look at the Bulls' depth chart after adding Beverley.
The Chicago Bulls' new depth chart
So far, there has been no word as to whether or not Patrick Beverley will start. Currently, ESPN shows sophomore guard Ayo Dosunmu as the starter for the team. However, given the team's recent struggles, it's incredibly likely that Beverley takes over as the starter.
Despite the fact that Beverley is 34 years old, the spark he provides on the floor can't be denied. As he recently said, he plans on invigorating the team and the big three of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic.
On the latest episdoe of his "Pat Bev Podcast," he said:
"I'm going to be on Zach LaVine's ass, I'm going to give him all the energy he needs. Destroy people. Me and DeMar DeRozan, we're good. I got a popping 5 in Nikola Vucevic. I'm excited, man. I'm really excited."
You can see his comments in the video below, beginning at the 5:40 mark.
The Chicago Bulls' play so far this season
For the Chicago Bulls (26-33), this season has been largely underwhelming. After having success last season, including a brief stint atop the Eastern Conference, they haven't been able to replicate the same success this year.
Although Ball's injury slowed the team with a 7-15 finish and there was a first-round playoff exit, Chicago went 46-36, its best mark since 2014-15. The Bulls broke a four-year playoff drought.
Given that, there was a lot of anticipation surrounding the trade deadline. Would the front office duo of Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley look to recoup some of the three first-round draft picks they lost acquiring DeRozan and Vucevic? Would they pull the plug on this group after seeing the team post the seventh-worst offensive efficiency?
Although there were rumors at the 11th hour before the trade deadline that the front office could trade Zach LaVine to New York, nothing came to fruition. In fact, after the deadline, Karnisovas said that, with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving out of Brooklyn, he felt the team could compete in the East.
The very next game, the Bulls lost to the Nets 116-105, highlighting the fact that regardless of the Nets losing two stars, the Bulls' problems linger.
Will Patrick Beverley provide the spark the team needs? Only time will tell. The remainder of the season will be an incredibly telling time for the direction of the Bulls franchise.