Chicago Bulls: 3 Expectations for the upcoming 2022-23 season

Expectation Three: Ayo Dosunmu is the Chicago Bulls’ starting point guard while Lonzo Ball gets healthy

Another crucial piece of the puzzle for the Chicago Bulls to find themselves in playoff contention is surviving the absence of Lonzo Ball. The one best suited to fill that role is none other than Ayo Dosunmu.

Ayo fell in the draft last year, further than anyone would have expected, but the Chicago Bulls were the beneficiaries as they drafted Ayo with the 38th overall pick in last year’s draft. However, he had a rookie season to remember, averaging 9 ppg on 52 percent shooting from the field and a shade under 38 percent from 3.

His performance garnered recognition, in the form of an appearance on the 2021-22 NBA All-Rookie second team. Yet, much like most rookies, he hit a wall in the back half of the season. While his scoring was a tick higher, he barely shot 30 percent from three.

However, now going into year two he looks noticeably bigger and both physically and mentally ready to handle an 82-game NBA slate and postseason run.

Being able to not only improve upon what he accomplished last year but sustain it over the course of the season will be of paramount importance to not only himself (Dosunmu is in a contract year) but to the Bulls’ prospects this season.

It is on Dosunmu to steady the ship while Lonzo nurses his injury, and if he’s able to deliver not only will the Bulls be among the true contenders in the Eastern playoff picture, but he will also have a big payday coming.

Ultimately, I think there are a variety of outcomes for this Chicago Bulls season. However, after following them all of last season, I believe these are reasonable expectations in order for the Bulls to not only repeat the success of last season but build upon it.