Horns up or horns down? A closer look at the Bulls roster.
The Bulls actually regressed in Year 2 of the rebuild. They fired their coach after a 5-19 start, lost 290 games to injury or illness and finished 22-60 — five games worse than last season and the fifth-worst winning percentage in franchise history.
Here’s a look at the 2018-19 Bulls — rating players with a “horns up” or “horns down” — with an eye on next season:
Ryan Arcidiacono
Horns up
Stats: 81 games (32 starts), 6.7 points, 3.3 assists, 24.2 minutes.
Contract status: Will be a restricted free agent if the Bulls extend a qualifying offer by June 29. Comment: He showed an ability to play either guard position and led the team in games played and charges taken. His toughness and ball security will keep him in the league for awhile.
Antonio Blakeney
Horns down
Stats: 57 games (3 starts), 7.3 points, 1.9 rebounds, 14.5 minutes.
Contract status: Owed $1.6 million through 201920.
Comment: He can score. But he’s a one-dimensional player who somehow is guaranteed through next season.
Wendell Carter Jr.
Horns up
Stats: 44 games (44 starts), 10.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 25.2 minutes. Contract status: On rookie-scale contract guaranteeing him $26.8 million through 2022-23 if all options are exercised. Comment: A freak left thumb injury ended his promising rookie season that featured veteran defensive instincts and untapped offensive potential.
Kris Dunn
Horns down
Stats: 46 games (44 starts), 11.3 points, 6.0 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 30.2 minutes. Contract status: Eligible for an extension of his rookie-scale contract that runs through 2020-21 if the Bulls exercise options. Comment: Dunn endured his second straight injuryplagued season and struggled playing off the ball when coach Jim Boylen switched offensive systems. He didn’t play as consistently on defense as he did in his first season with the Bulls.
Cristiano Felicio
Horns down
Stats: 60 games, 4.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 12.4 minutes. Contract status: Owed $15.7 million through 202021.
Comment: For the second straight season, Felicio failed to recapture the footwork and agility that defined the promising defensive play that led to his head-scratching contract. He struggled to catch passes in a forgettable offensive season.
Shaquille Harrison
Horns up
Stats: 73 games (11 starts), 6.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 19.6 minutes. Contract status: His $1.6 million salary for next season would be guaranteed if he’s not waived before Aug. 15. Comment: He proved he belongs on an NBA roster. Harrison showed elite defensive ability with physical play and a knack for steals. He needs to improve offensively, particularly his shooting.
Chandler Hutchison
Horns up
Stats: 44 games (14 starts), 5.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 20.3 minutes.
Contract status: On rookie-scale contract guaranteeing him $18.6 million through 2022-23 if all options
exercised. Comment: He played well in a starting role just before the Bulls acquired Otto Porter Jr., so he’ll have to display his rebounding, ballhandling and athleticism in a reserve role next season.
Zach LaVine
Horns up
Stats: 63 games (62 starts), 23.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 34.5 minutes. Contract status: Owed $58.5 million through 202122.
Comment: LaVine improved his decision making, playmaking and scoring efficiency and represents the most gifted shot maker on the team. It’s time for him to act on his words to be better defensively.
Robin Lopez
Horns up
Stats: 74 games (36 starts), 9.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 21.7 minutes. Contract status: Unrestricted free agent. Comment: Lopez is a consummate professional who makes any roster better with his solid intangibles and team-first leadership.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot
Horns down
Stats: 29 games (6 starts), 6.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, 18.8 minutes.
Contract status: Unrestricted free agent. Comment: He flashed the occasional ability to heat up from 3-point range. Otherwise, he’s nondescript.
Lauri Markkanen
Horns up
Stats: 52 games (51 starts), 18.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 32.3 minutes.
Contract status: On rookie-scale contract guaranteeing him $21 million through 2021-22 if all options exercised Comment: He added more scoring off drives to an already respected 3-point shot. Markkanen showed an ability to rebound and push the ball upcourt with strong decision making. He can be a matchup nightmare.
Otto Porter Jr.
Horns up
Stats: 15 games (15 starts), 17.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 32.8 minutes. Contract status: Owed $55.7 million through 202021 if he exercises his player option, which he will. Comment: He’s a stabilizing presence at both ends who would make any team better. Porter has shooting range and a high basketball IQ that helps space the floor offensively and provides for defensive versatility.
Wayne Selden Jr.
Horns up
Stats: 43 games (13 starts), 8.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 22.9 minutes.
Contract status: Bulls must extend a qualifying offer of $1.9 million by June 29, or he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Comment: He almost certainly won’t be back but flashed some qualities for a back-end rotation player.
Denzel Valentine
Horns down
Stats: Did not play. Contract status: On rookie-scale contract guaranteeing him $8.1 million through 2020-21 if all options are exercised. Comment: Valentine had his troublesome left ankle reconstructed by the same Wisconsin-based surgeon who fixed Steph Curry’s ankle for good.