Following a six-point loss to the Phoenix Suns on March 19, the Chicago Bulls are 7-7 since the All-Star break, with a 2.5 net rating—13th-best in the NBA. Chicago’s post-All-Star break success can be attributed to stellar individual play from Coby White and Josh Giddey, a boost from its three trade deadline acquisitions, and a collective effort to improve defensively.

The Bulls’ backcourt duo of White and Giddey have combined to average 47.1 points, 15.1 rebounds, 12.5 assists, and 4.9 three-pointers per contest. Giddey leads the team with a 14.0 net rating since the break, while White ranks fifth on the team (of those who have appeared in 10-plus games) at 2.7.

Collins and the Bulls’ improved defense are key ingredients to a second-half surge

In addition to the two leading scorers, the triumvirate of Zach Collins, Kevin Huerter, and Tre Jones has exceeded expectations. All three players are averaging double-digits since February 20. The former two rank second and third on the squad in net rating, while Jones’ 7.5 assist-to-turnover ratio places him in the top five in the NBA.

Individual contributions have been a boon to the Bulls’ recent success. Nonetheless, the group effort to increase physicality and commit to the defensive end has paid dividends. Chicago is 10th in the league in defensive rating since the All-Star break—an enormous improvement from its 27th-place ranking prior to the midseason festivities.

Collins has been especially impactful on the less glamorous end. The former San Antonio Spur’s defensive rating is 107.1 in 15 appearances with the Bulls, which ranks first on the team. Chicago is far better off defensively with Collins on the floor. The Bulls allow 12.7 points less per 100 possessions whenever the 7-foot big man is in the lineup. Collins’ differential ranks in the 99th percentile.

Chicago is 5-3 whenever Head Coach Billy Donovan has trotted out Collins alongside the starters. However, despite the lineup’s success, Donovan has since demoted the big man to a reserve role upon Nikola Vucevic’s return from injury. Vooch missed seven straight games with a calf injury before appearing in the Bulls’ five most recent contests.

The Bulls’ decision to retain Vucevic is already haunting them

Since returning, Vucevic has averaged 13.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 27.3 minutes per game. His most recent 24-point outing against the Suns was easily his best. Prior to Chicago’s bout with Phoenix, Vucevic had struggled, scoring more than 11 points just once and going 3-of-15 against the Utah Jazz.

Vucevic’s offensive struggles are somewhat concerning but nothing to dwell on. He’s proved time and time again to be an offensive hub whose shooting comes and goes. Nevertheless, his inadequate defense is what’s alarming. Vucevic has never been a good defender, but his lack of defensive ability was often swept under the rug due to his offensive prowess. Furthermore, it was hardly worth mentioning because the Bulls’ entire roster floundered on the defensive end. That is, until now. The Bulls have been much better defensively, which has led to their drastic improvement.

While improved defensive intensity and effort are evident for most of the roster, Vucevic remains a sieve. The big man ranks last in defensive rating on the team over the Bulls’ previous five games. For the season, Chicago is 3.9 points per 100 possessions better defensively whenever Vucevic is off the floor. Oddly enough, they’re just 0.4 points better offensively with Vooch in the lineup. Thus, his porous defensive contributions far outweigh his near-All-Star-level offense—even more so as of late.

Chicago’s recent culture shift is unexpected, but it’s worked. However, as unexpected as a defensive-first mentality is in the Windy City, the thought process behind keeping a 34-year-old, one-dimensional center past the trade deadline was ill-advised. Regardless of the Bulls’ newfound approach, the aging Vucevic doesn’t fit Chicago’s timeline, nor will he be around beyond next season.

Sure, it could be assumed that the Bulls fielded no quality offers for the 6-foot-10 center on or before the deadline, but that’s likely not plausible. The Golden State Warriors were said to have real interest in acquiring Vucevic before pulling the trigger on Jimmy Butler. Yet the Bulls reportedly balked at the Warriors’ trade offers, consisting of second-round picks and salary fillers.

The decision to retain Vucevic was, and still is, odd. Chicago notably dealt 29-year-old Zach LaVine for three role players and a 2025 first-round pick (although the first-rounder was Chicago’s to begin with). One would think the Bulls would deal Vucevic for a couple of second-rounders once they shipped out their leading scorer for pennies on the dollar.

Somehow, Vucevic is still donning the Chicago red—and will be for the remainder of the season and perhaps the 2025-26 campaign. Opting to hold onto the 34-year-old is certainly a decision that’ll haunt the Artūras Karnišovas-led Front Office. Not only because of Vucevic’s subpar defensive abilities, but also because multiple second-rounders might have been the best off Chicago would have received.