The Chicago Bulls are at a crossroads - and not for the first time. For years now, the franchise has struggled to turn potential into production, especially when it comes to its young talent.
There’s a pattern that’s become all too familiar: promising players flash early signs of stardom in a Bulls uniform, only to find their stride after they leave town. It's a trend that raises real questions about how Chicago develops its prospects - and whether the organization is doing enough to nurture the pieces it’s betting its future on.
Since 2016, the Bulls have made nine first-round picks. Six of those players are no longer with the team.
That kind of turnover isn’t unusual during a rebuild, but what’s troubling is how many of those players have gone on to thrive elsewhere. It’s not just about who the Bulls have let go - it’s about what those players became once they landed in systems better suited to their growth.
Take Lauri Markkanen. In Chicago, he was a stretch big with tantalizing upside but an inconsistent role.
After being traded to the Cavaliers and eventually landing with the Utah Jazz, he didn’t just improve - he leveled up. In 2023, Markkanen earned Most Improved Player honors and made the All-Star team, becoming a foundational piece in Utah.
That kind of leap didn’t happen overnight, but it also didn’t happen in Chicago.
Wendell Carter Jr. followed a similar path. Drafted as a defensive-minded big with offensive potential, Carter never quite found his rhythm with the Bulls.
But once he got to Orlando, he began to flourish. Career highs in points (15.0) and rebounds (10.5), along with a more complete two-way game, turned him into a dependable starter - the kind of player Chicago hoped he’d become in their jersey.
Even second-rounders have found new life outside the Windy City. Daniel Gafford, for instance, showed flashes of rim-running and shot-blocking in Chicago, but it wasn’t until he landed in Washington - and later Dallas - that he truly broke out.
With the Mavericks, Gafford played a pivotal role in their 2024 run to the NBA Finals and even set an NBA record with 33 straight made field goals. That level of efficiency and impact was never fully tapped into during his Bulls tenure.
Then there’s Ayo Dosunmu. A hometown favorite and second-round steal, Dosunmu was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he quickly proved he belonged on a contending roster. Averaging 14 points per game while shooting over 54 percent from the field, Dosunmu has shown he can contribute to winning basketball - when given the right role and support.
All of this underscores a larger issue: the Bulls haven’t consistently provided the developmental infrastructure needed to help their young players grow into long-term contributors. Whether it’s a lack of defined roles, coaching turnover, or a broader organizational philosophy that doesn’t emphasize patience and growth, something isn’t clicking.
That said, all hope isn’t lost. The Bulls still have intriguing young talent on the roster.
Matas Buzelis, Noa Essengue, and Patrick Williams are all players with tools worth building around. Buzelis and Essengue, in particular, represent a chance to break the cycle - if the team commits to giving them the time, structure, and support to thrive.
Williams remains a bit of a mystery. His development has been uneven, largely due to a role that hasn’t consistently played to his strengths.
But the potential is still there - if the Bulls can finally unlock it.
The bottom line? Chicago’s rebuild won’t move forward unless the organization gets serious about player development.
Drafting talent is only half the battle. The real work begins after the handshake on draft night.
Until the Bulls build a system that consistently turns promise into production, they’ll keep watching their young stars shine - just not in Chicago.