Are the Bulls Contenders? (w/ Morten Jensen)

The Chicago Bulls are headed back to the Play-In Tournament. We reacted to the last stretch of games and gave our predictions for how we think the team will do in the tournament. We also talked about how the team's minutes load is adding up and whether it's realistic or not for veterans to rest in the last six games. Also, we continued to give Ayo Dosunmu some love and discussed whether or not he could make another jump next season.

Corey Tulaba of No Ceilings returns for reaction to the Bulls comeback win over Sacramento. We discussed the development of Coby White following his 37-point performance, and continue to wonder whether he can take another step in his development in the future. Then, we continued our discussion of the play-in tournament and whether the Bulls are giving us more optimism that they'll get one of the playoff seeds. Then, we got Corey's thoughts on the development of Julian Phillips and Onuralp Bitim. Finally, we wrapped the show with some college basketball discussion, as Corey dives into the top prospects in this class, players who could potentially be a fit for the Bulls, and more. 

The Bulls continue to be up and down following a loss to the Pistons and a win against the Cavs. We discussed where the team is headed for the remainder of the season. Will they come out of the play-in tournament? Following Onuralp Bitim's solid performance against Cleveland, we looked at how the Bulls are winning on the margins with young talent. We're also still salty the Bulls passed on deals at the trade deadline to move off veteran pieces. Then, on this week's "Project Pat" segment, we reacted to Patrick Williams season ending injury. We wonder if Williams will end up signing a team friendly deal or if the Bulls will have competition from other teams.

Full reaction to the Bulls uneventful trade deadline. We discuss the potential moves the Bulls had on the table with Golden State and Philadelphia involving Caruso, Drummond and DeRozan. Were the Bulls being irresponsible by not making these trades? Then, we tried to make sense of AK's comments and trade expectations at his presser. This led to us wondering if any recent NBA teams have been successful at using a strategy similar to the Bulls by treading competitive waters. We also have a converstion about Coby White and whether the Bulls are failing to maximize his play on a team-friendly contract. Then, we tried to figure out if the Bulls front office has a strength that can make fans optimistic for what's to come in the future. 

You know the vibes....Big Dave and C-Dub are back for our annual Trade Deadline episode. We start with a temperature check on the Bulls 24-27 record, and whether it's where we thought the team would be. We get into a discussion on the front office to see if we're still good with "letting AK cook". We continue to be marveled by Coby White's breakout season, leading to the question of whether Coby can be a franchise player and how the team could build around him. We transition into Trade Deadline discussion and wondered whether there's more urgency than ever for the Bulls to make moves on Thursday. Are the Bulls overvaluing their assets and potentially passing on reasonable deals? We went through the trade value of Caruso, DeRozan, and Drummond, and gave our predictions for trades, and talked about the deals we would love to see in an ideal world. 

CHGO's Mark K joins us after the Bulls road win against the Charlotte Hornets. Coby White puts in another great game, and we put his breakout in perspective and discuss the amount of responsibility he has picked up this season. Then, we shift to the much-maligned Nikola Vucevic, and why games like this show the nuance in his value to the Bulls. Next, we reacted to a report that suggests the Bulls will stand pat at the trade deadline, and wondered if it's more urgent than ever for the Bulls to make moves in the next few days. We closed with a discussion on the mysterious nature of Patrick Williams injury and what we're looking forward to seeing from Julian Phillips in his absence. 

BullsOnTap's Morris Bankston joins us. We react to the Indiana Pacers acquiring Pascal Siakam and wonder whether the trade will have any impact on Zach LaVine's market. We also discuss where this trade puts the Pacers long-term in the Eastern Conference. Then we get into more discussion on LaVine and the chances that the Bulls may not find a trade partner at the deadline for him. Do the Bulls have to make a trade at this year's deadline? We explain why they have to. We then wrap with a look at the rest of the Bulls schedule for January and their chances of reaching .500. 

Swish Theory's Charlie Cummings joins us for reaction to the Bulls loss to the Golden State Warriors. We discussed the Warriors season, the direction they're heading, their young talent, and how the team could look to improve at the trade deadline. Then we shift to the Bulls, and how the team has looked since Zach LaVine's return to the team. We continue discussion on Coby White's fantastic season, Patrick Williams moving back to the bench, and if the Warriors will have legitimate interest in LaVine. We then close the show with reaction to fans irrational behavior during the Bulls Ring of Honor night.

After a long holiday break, we discussed the Bulls play in December that's sparking some optimism around the team's present and future. We talked about the progress of all of the young players, including some encouraging signs from Dalen Terry and Coby White's breakout season. Then, we wondered if the Bulls recent play could change the goal of this season. Finally, we wrapped with a conversation about Zach LaVine's return and the lack of traction with his trade request. What's the worst and best case scenario for the Bulls in a LaVine trade? 

SBNation Writer and co-host of Cash Considerations Ricky O'Donnell joins. We react to the Bulls entertaining stretch of wins against Milwaukee and New Orleans. We discuss if the Bulls play in those games without Zach LaVine is a coincidence or nothing. We give flowers to Coby White for his breakout play and discuss whether his ceiling is higher than we thought. We get into our "Project Pat" segment. Is Patrick Williams is starting to maximize his effectiveness as a roleplayer? Then, we circle back to Zach LaVine's future. We go over more potential trade options and players we'd target in a deal for LaVine.