It looks like the Chicago Bulls are going to continue sliding down the NBA standings. Currently, they are in the 10th spot in the East but the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets are right behind them.
There are some Bulls players who have been pretty impressive lately. Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis could form the core of the next generation of Chicago basketball.
Their strong performances have not converted into wins though. The Bulls are on a 2-8 run and have struggled badly since the departure of Zach LaVine while Nikola Vucevic is dealing with fitness issues and has missed the last four games.
Vucevic is not the only one on the sidelines for the Bulls though, as there is more bad news for the franchise.
According to the NBA’s official website, after experiencing left shoulder instability and further evaluation from training and medical professionals, Ayo Dosunmu will undergo surgery and remain out for the remainder of the season.
Dosunmu, who is in his fourth year in the league, has emerged as a solid contributor for the Bulls.
While his efficiency has gone down this season, Dosunmu’s overall numbers are up. He is averaging 12.3 points, 4.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds in 30.3 minutes per game.
As a result, Dosunmu’s absence for the remainder of the season will come as a blow for the Bulls and hurt their chances of winning.
That being said, the Bulls might not be particularly focused on winning at the moment. They are in a rebuild at the moment and increasing their draft lottery chances might be better for their long-term future rather than making the play-in.