Roster Additions

NBA Draft: Doug McDermott, Cameron Bairstow and Nikola Mirotic (drafted in 2011)

Free Agency: Pau Gasol, Kirk Hinrich (re-signed) and Aaron Brooks

Trades: Tadija Dragicevic

Roster Losses

Free Agency: D.J. Augustin

Trades: Anthony Randolph and Greg Smith

Waived: Carlos Boozer, Lou Amundson, Ronnie Brewer and Mike James

Season Overview

The Chicago Bulls are the one team in the East that can contend with the San Antonio Spurs this year for the NBA title. The front court depth of this team is the only thing that can stop the formidable and seemingly everlasting power of Tim Duncan and company. Pau Gasol will add offensive skill to an already deep front court, and dumping Carlos Boozer onto the Lakers will also help this powerhouse front of the Bulls. Joakim Noah is no doubt the most important player on the Bulls and has been for the past three to four years.

With Derrick Rose having his injury issues, Joakim Noah has developed into the most complete player in the NBA and also its best leader. If the Chicago Bulls had not had Joakim Noah on their squad during this Derrick Rose turmoil, the Chicago Bulls could’ve turned out like the 2012 Indianapolis Colts when Peyton Manning was out for the season. Joakim Noah is the heart and soul of this team and with a revitalized Derrick Rose and some support in the front court, the Chicago Bulls will batter the weak Eastern Conference and make it to the NBA Finals.

Along with the best team leader this side of the Mississippi, we have the player that everyone has been waiting to see at full form again -- Derrick Rose. Rose has been plagued the past few seasons with injuries that, whether controversial or not, kept him out of the better part of the 2012 and 2013 NBA seasons. With almost a year of rest, Derrick Rose hopefully will come back to his true form. This is not due to any form of Chicago Bulls fandom; simply it is hope for one of the NBA’s most recognizable players to be a star again. The NBA is driven by star power and it will be good for all of us NBA fans if there is a healthy and active Derrick Rose to compete against whatever team it is that you support. If you don’t beat them at their best, then why beat them at all, so to speak.

Derrick Rose should be closer to his MVP form, and he will create a sense of stability in an ever-changing backcourt for the Chicago Bulls. The re-signing of Kirk Hinrich and the free agency grab of Aaron Brooks should give Rose a lot more rest this season in case his injury flares up again. It will also give the Bulls much needed depth in a place where they have been weak despite some outstanding fill-in performances from D. J. Augustine and Nate Robinson when Rose was out in 2013 and 2012 respectively. 

The last thing to comment about regarding this Bulls team is how well-rounded their supporting cast is around Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah. Taj Gibson is one of the most improved players in the NBA, and should have won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award last season. Doug McDermott will provide some quality shooting off the bench to spread the floor for Noah and Gasol. Hinrich, Brooks, Jimmy Butler, and Mike Dunleavy will help support Rose during his official NBA recuperation.

Dunleavy and Hinrich will also be able to provide some leadership for the younger players in case Noah or Rose get injured or fatigued throughout the season. And finally, the addition of Pau Gasol will add to one of the best NBA front courts. Gasol will create more offensive balance for the Bulls and will fit much better with this team than he did in his last years in L. A. The Pau that everyone knows from his final years in L. A. will be no more as Noah and a revamped Rose will get Gasol back to his imposing and competitive form that made him such a valuable player for the back-to-back L. A. Lakers NBA championship teams in 2009 and 2010.

Fantasy Preview

Joakim Noah is a must-draft, maybe even a #1 overall pick. Noah will be able to pad a lot of stats for your fantasy team this year. His ability to get a double-double or triple-double almost every night will prove him to be a valuable asset for any fantasy owner. Depending also on how Pau Gasol and Derrick Rose fare this season, Noah might once again be the head honcho on the court for the Bulls. If any players go down, the Bulls will rely on Noah and your fantasy team will see a rise in almost every category. Noah’s skill as a quality passer and lockdown defender will make him the best overall asset that you pick up this year.

Derrick Rose is a very high risk this season solely due to his recent injuries. Rose is possibly the biggest risk of the 2014-2015 NBA season due to injury possibilities and a limited role compared to his 2011 MVP season. Rose has a very good chance to have a dominant season again, but in fantasy terms he might be a disappointment. I fully expect Rose to show some major improvements in his role and influence on the court – however, that doesn’t translate directly to his fantasy status.

With his recent injuries combined with the Bulls adding extra depth to the backcourt to support Rose, your fantasy team is probably better-off without this former MVP. Rose will get his points, and his field goal percentage should be pretty solid with the floor being spread well amongst Rose, Noah, Gasol, and the rest of the team. The thing I would worry about as an owner, however, is Rose’ defensive prowess coming off of two leg injuries and the amount of caution Coach Thibs is going to play him with. If Rose starts to show some wear or tiring during the season, expect Thibs to minimize his minutes in favor of preservation of his star player. This will directly affect your fantasy team so if you do choose to draft Rose, you better get a quality backup when this situation occurs during the season.

The sleeper for your fantasy team will be Doug McDermott. Three-point shooting and any Percentage shooting would be the two reasons why you should choose the rookie out of Creighton.  McDermott will come off the bench and give a spark to the Bulls from behind the arc. With the quality interior passing from Noah and Gasol, expect McDermott to lift your fantasy team in these categories if you need them late in your fantasy draft.

Fantasy MVP:  Joakim Noah

Disappointing Player: Derrick Rose (Biggest risk of 2014 Season)

Fantasy Sleeper: Doug McDermott

2014 - 2015 Season Prediction: 62-22

Team MVP: Joakim Noah

Most Improved Player: Derrick Rose

Biggest Disappointment: Kirk Hinrich