Fantasy Basketball Breakouts, Busts, and Locks - Chicago Bulls

October 5, 2023

Lance Roberson looks at one fantasy basketball breakout, bust and lock from the Chicago Bulls for the 2023-24 NBA season.

Welcome back to the second annual fantasy basketball exercise in which RotoBaller dissects each NBA team's breakouts, busts, and locks. As the fantasy basketball season demands extreme detail and attention, taking the time to identify game-breakers and game-changers in the NBA makes the difference between winning or losing your league. Thankfully, RotoBaller is here to help in that regard.

Roster continuity helped the Denver Nuggets win an NBA championship. However, for the Chicago Bulls, it's likely to lead to another Play-In tournament berth. Regardless of its place in the league's competitive landscape, Chicago harbors two explosive offensive players, boding well for fantasy investment.

Now let's see who the breakout, bust, and lock picks are for the 2023-2024 Chicago Bulls.

Chicago Bulls Fantasy Breakout - Coby White

For all the talent on the Bulls, there are a lot of questions surrounding the point guard position. As Lonzo Ball misses a consecutive season due to knee surgery, former No.7 overall pick Coby White's opportunity to secure a starting slot looms as training camp approaches. Chicago's front office trusts the young guard in light of the three-year, $40-million extension signed on June 30. Either as a sixth-man or starting point guard, White will make a difference on your fantasy team and his actual squad.

Although White hasn't accomplished much regarding accolades or playoff success, one stat indicates he's a vital piece to Chicago's playoff hopes: Net rating. Last season, White posted an eye-opening 21.1 net rating, blowing fellow starting point guard hopeful Ayo Dosunmu out of the water as he finished with a 7.8.

Two-a-day sessions for the Bulls today in Day 2 of Nashville training camp.

Everyone available and healthy, per the team.

Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu wrapped practice together with ball handling drills. More on their partnership and competition for starting PG 🔜 pic.twitter.com/6j1HQrTHZh

— Julia Poe (@byjuliapoe) October 4, 2023

One thing that comes as a shock was White's career-low scoring average, despite playing a career-high 74 games. Still, the Bulls guard did more with less, posting career highs in true shooting and effective field goal percentage. Moving forward, playing alongside Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan in the starting lineup ensures easier shots for White, and if Bulls head coach Billy Donovan staggers White with the second units, theoretically increasing shot volume, the fifth-year guard has a real shot at making noise in fantasy basketball.

Advanced stats aside, White's three-point shooting unquestionably separates the former Tarheel from the Chicago native Dosunmu. Draft White as a fantasy breakout piece in all of your fantasy leagues, as he will likely win the competition for the Bulls' starting point guard role, and his above-average three-point shooting makes for an efficient player off the bench of your fantasy team.

Chicago Bulls Fantasy Bust - Andre Drummond

Once upon a time, Andre Drummond dominated the rebound category before the Detroit Pistons dumped him onto the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Most rebounds by an active player:

10,667 — LeBron James
10,344 — DeAndre Jordan
9,963 — Andre Drummond
9,065 — Kevin Love pic.twitter.com/DpOg7OgAhh

— StatMuse (@statmuse) September 22, 2023

The former UConn Husky led the league in rebound percentage in four seasons. However, as a 30-year-old backup center, those glory days are long gone. Registering his lowest minutes played count to date, the player infamously known for gaining many offensive rebounds by missing putbacks is on the downside of his career.

Even with his backup center position secured, the 6.6 rebounds per contest don't make up for everything else working against the two-time All-Star. At this point, Drummond is as one-note as a comedian who depends on crowd members for material. However, unlike a comedy club, there is no support player on the Bulls' bench to provide easy baskets.

Free throws always cost him points, as he's the same player who attempted 37 free throws but managed to finish with a measly 17 points. Defensively, he's in the same boat as Chicago's starting center Nikola Vucevic, a man without a paddle on a rowboat.

Drummond is not a bad player by any means, but for the sake of this exercise, avoid drafting the backup center in any fantasy league.

Chicago Bulls Fantasy Lock - DeMar DeRozan

Picking between Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan for a fantasy lock invoked the same feeling as going with Pokemon Red or Blue for the Nintendo Gameboy. Although they both offer a good experience, there are a few differences between them. However, in a reality-based world, money rules all. Thus leading me to lean towards DeRozan.

Zach and DeMar combined for 88 PTS against the TWolves last season, the highest scoring performance by a duo in Chicago Bulls history.

Zach LaVine: 39PTS | 4REB | 5AST | 60% FG

DeMar DeRozan: 49PTS | 14REB | 4AST | 3STL | 60% FG https://t.co/dAurX9L8O3 pic.twitter.com/J4MeLjCdlX

— LANI ❦ (@___lovelani) September 30, 2023

First, let's address the race's proximity between the two fantasy stars. Last season, only 3.2 fantasy points per game of separation, with DeRozan taking the Bulls by the horn as an All-Star. Although LaVine undoubtedly dominates the discussion regarding three-point efficiency, DeRozan gets to the free-throw line more and sticks to mid-range shots or closer, which leads to higher field goal percentages.

Perhaps a three-point shot would make him a dangerous player in the NBA playoffs. However, in a fantasy league, DeRozan's elite mid-range keeps him in good company. You know what else is scary? A player in a contract season. DeRozan is a 34-year-old veteran with one more chance at a lucrative long-term deal. LaVine has his $178 million guaranteed. DeRozan was an All-Star just last season; it's not farfetched to envision another nod for the Compton-born forward.

You don't get between a person and their money; for that motivation, put your financial trust in DeRozan for a fantasy lock.

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