Right now, there's a cautious sense of hope brewing in Chicago. The Bulls have rattled off four straight wins, and these aren’t just throwaway victories.
We’re talking about quality wins against the Clippers, Timberwolves, and Celtics-teams with real playoff aspirations. It's the kind of stretch that makes you wonder if maybe, just maybe, the Bulls are turning a corner.
But if you’ve followed this team for any length of time, you know better than to buy in too quickly.
Momentum or Mirage?
This is a team that not long ago dropped seven straight games, including losses to the Nets, Hornets, Pacers, and Pelicans. That stretch wasn’t just a cold snap-it was a reminder of how fragile any momentum can be for this franchise.
So while the current win streak is encouraging, it comes with a healthy dose of skepticism. Bulls fans have seen this movie before: a strong run that stirs up optimism, only to be followed by a harsh reality check.
Even last season, the Bulls closed out the year on a 15-5 tear. Impressive on paper, sure.
But it didn’t move the needle much in terms of belief in the team’s long-term direction. Why?
Because the big-picture questions haven’t changed. Chicago still feels like a team without a clear identity or a foundational star to build around.
The Giddey Gamble
That brings us to Josh Giddey. The Bulls made a bold move this offseason, locking up the 23-year-old point guard on a four-year, $100 million deal.
That’s a significant commitment, but in today’s NBA economy, $25 million a year for a young, high-IQ floor general isn’t exactly breaking the bank. In fact, Giddey’s salary is on the lower end for a team’s highest-paid player-Kristaps Porziņģis, for comparison, is set to make $30.7 million.
So what does that tell us? Giddey isn’t being paid like the face of the franchise, and the Bulls probably don’t see him that way either.
He’s a key piece, no doubt, but not the piece. And that’s an important distinction.
Statistically, Giddey is putting up numbers that would make most teams envious: 18.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game. That’s near triple-double territory, and it speaks to his all-around game and high basketball IQ.
But there are limitations. He’s not a lockdown defender, and while he’s a gifted passer and rebounder for his position, his scoring doesn’t come easy in isolation.
In today’s NBA, your best player usually needs to be someone who can create offense on their own when the game slows down. Giddey isn’t quite that guy.
A Strong No. 2-or No. 3?
There’s a growing sense around the league that Giddey projects best as a secondary or even tertiary star on a contending team. That’s not a knock-it’s just about fit and ceiling. Think of him as a high-level connector, someone who makes everyone around him better but doesn’t necessarily carry the scoring load when it matters most.
And that’s where the Bulls still find themselves searching. They need that alpha-a true No. 1 option who can take over games late, get a bucket in crunch time, and tilt the floor every time he touches the ball. Giddey can set the table, but someone else needs to be the closer.
Could that player eventually be Matas Buzelis? There’s certainly intrigue there.
The rookie has the tools and upside to grow into a star, but it’s too early to pin that mantle on him. Development takes time, and projecting stardom is always a gamble.
The Bigger Picture
So where does that leave Chicago? In a familiar place: somewhere between rebuilding and retooling, with just enough talent to stay competitive but not enough to truly contend. The front office has made some smart bets-Giddey chief among them-but the franchise cornerstone still hasn’t walked through that door.
For now, Bulls fans can enjoy the wins, appreciate the growth, and hope that either the draft or free agency brings the kind of player who can elevate this team to the next level. Because until that happens, every hot streak will come with the same lingering question:
Is this real progress, or just another mirage?