The Bulls have been the talk of the NBA town over the past month—and for good reason. Since March 8, they’ve gone 8-2. That’s a pretty impressive run. (And one that’s been going on since February 24, when they were 11-5). Only the Denver Nuggets, last year’s NBA champs, have a better record in the East during that span.
Some will say the Bulls have had it relatively easy, that they’ve missed out on a few All-NBA-caliber players along the way. But what this team has done over the past few weeks is genuinely impressive. And that makes you wonder: where is this franchise headed? That kind of basketball—the kind the Bulls are playing right now—is what you hope to see from a team that’s on the rise.
By the Numbers: How Good Have the Bulls Been?
The Bulls’ last 16 games have shown a 5.9 net rating – and that puts them in a pretty elite group in the NBA. Eighth-best in the league is no small feat. Only seven teams have done better during that same stretch: Oklahoma City, Boston, Detroit, Minnesota, Cleveland, LA Clippers and Houston. What stands out is that all but one of those teams (Minnesota) are already firmly in the top six of their respective conferences. That suggests the Bulls are in good company.
But does that mean they belong in the same tier as those elite squads just yet? Not quite. There’s still a lot of work to be done before we can say with confidence that this team is ready to compete at the very highest level. What we are seeing from Chicago, though, is undeniably promising. Coby White and Josh Giddey—those young guards—are emerging as the kind of building blocks you want in a backcourt. And that’s translating into wins. That hasn’t always been the case for this franchise.
Playoff Push or Lottery Lock? Breaking Down the Odds
With 9 games left in the season, the Bulls’ playoff chances have improved. According to the Playoff Probabilities Report at Basketball-Reference, the Bulls now have a 39.9% chance of being the 9th seed in the Play-In Tournament. They moved up at the expense of the Miami Heat who have gone 7-13 since the All-Star break. The Bulls have passed the Heat and are now 9th and the Heat are 10th.
They also have a small chance to move up. After that loss to the Mavericks on Thursday night, Chicago is just 1.5 games behind Atlanta for the first Play-In spot and only 2 games ahead of the No. 8 seed. Closing that gap won’t be easy, but the Bulls’ favorable remaining schedule gives them a real shot at making a push:
Remaining Schedules for Play-In Teams:
- Atlanta (7th): Bucks, Trail Blazers, Mavericks, Knicks, Jazz, Magic, Nets, 76ers, Magic
- Orlando (8th): Kings, Clippers, Spurs, Wizards, Hawks, Celtics, Pacers, Hawks
- Chicago (9th): Mavericks, Thunder, Raptors, Trail Blazers, Hornets, Cavaliers, Heat, Wizards, 76ers
- Miami (10th): 76ers, Wizards, Celtics, Grizzlies, Bucks, 76ers, Bulls, Pelicans, Wizards
But that’s only if other teams don’t start resting their stars for the playoffs. If Orlando can catch weakened versions of the Celtics or Pacers-or if Atlanta struggles against its tougher opponents Bulls could capitalize on that.
Should the Bulls Really Want to Make the Playoffs?
Making the playoffs would be an incredible achievement—but is it the best way to secure the Bulls’ long-term future? That hot streak we’re seeing right now is fun to watch—but the playoffs are a whole different ball game. And let’s be honest, the Cavaliers and Celtics are pretty intimidating as potential first-round opponents. I just can’t see the Bulls giving either of those teams a run for their money.
Finishing outside the playoffs and landing a lottery pick might be the more sensible choice. The Bulls are currently 11th in the lottery order. That gives them a 2% shot at snagging French phenom Cooper Flagg and a 9.4% chance of moving into the top four. Even if they stay put at 11, mid-first-round picks have a history of yielding valuable talent. Just look at Matas Buzelis, the Bulls’ pick from last year. He was selected in that same range.
The Best of Both Worlds
You can’t blame fans for getting caught up in the excitement of a late-season push for the playoffs. Anything can happen in the NBA, after all. But if you really want to build a contender that lasts—sustainably—then you need to prioritize player development and snag that high draft pick. That way, you’re setting yourself up for real success down the line.
The Bulls have shown what they can do when everything clicks. Pair that with another talented young player from the lottery, and you’ve got the potential for something truly special. A deep playoff run might be tempting right now. But a first-round exit paired with the 15th overall pick in the draft? That’s not exactly the recipe for long-term success.