National Basketball Association

Chicago Bulls: 5 Bold Predictions For 2016-17 Season

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 12:27 p.m. ET

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The Chicago Bulls roster will look at bit different than last season, but will that result in a playoff appearance in 2016-17?

Jul 18, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Chicago Bulls players hold up the NBA Summer League championship trophy over head coach Pete Myers as he is interviewed after the Bulls defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in overtime, 84-82 at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

It is no secret that the Chicago Bulls did not live up to expectations during the 2015-16 campaign. For starters, players didn’t seem to grasp the concept of Fred Hoiberg‘s uptempo offense.

Secondly, despite Hoiberg challenging his group multiple times during the season, his message seemed to fall upon deaf ears for the most part.

Even more important, the effort this team played with from a defensive standpoint left a lot to be desired in the hearts and minds of Bulls fans.

The Bulls have been active during the offseason, and the roster will have a different look compared to what we have seen in years past.

Will this result in a return trip to the playoffs, or will it be more of the same inconsistent effort that we saw from last season?

Here are five bold predictions for the Bulls looking ahead to the 2016-17 season.

Apr 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic (44) handles the ball against New Orleans Pelicans guard Toney Douglas (16) during the first quarter of the game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

1. Nikola Mirotic Will Be A Starter … Initially

Nikola Mirotic has been a mixed bag of sorts during his two seasons with the Bulls. There are times when he is one of the best players on the floor, as illustrated in a 35-point performance against the New York Knicks in late March.

On the flip side of the coin, there are also instances in which Mirotic doesn’t make much of an impact when he’s on the floor. Case in point, a few days after his brilliant performance against the Knicks, Mirotic scored just four points on 1-for-7 shooting against the Orlando Magic.

As frustrating as his up-and-down play may be to digest, Mirotic will begin the season as the starting power forward.

Well, Hoiberg did the same thing last year and it wouldn’t be a total surprise if he chose to do so this year as well. Along with that, Mirotic improved in just about every statistical category in his first season under Hoiberg.

This includes a dramatic jump in his long-range shooting from year one to year two. In 2014-15, Mirotic shot 31.6 from beyond the arc. Last season, that number improved to 39 percent.

If that is not enough to convince you, then it is also worth noting that Mirotic scoring average as a starter (12.3 points per game) is slightly higher than his 11.1 points per contest when he comes off the bench, and his overall shooting percentage is slightly higher as well.

Being that Hoiberg is a more offensive-minded head coach than his predecessor, it would be a huge surprise if he doesn’t at least consider starting Mirotic at the 4 spot.

Jan 25, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Tony Snell (20) is defended by Miami Heat forward Gerald Green (14) during the second half at the United Center. Miami won 89-84. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

2. Tony Snell Will Have A Good Season

A bit ago, I mentioned that Mirotic has been somewhat inconsistent during his short stint with the Bulls. However, Tony Snell has been the epitome of inconsistency since the Bulls drafted him in 2013.

During his rookie season, Snell’s contributions were pedestrian, as he averaged just 4.5 points and 16 minutes per contest in 77 appearances.

In year two, his scoring average improved to 6.0 points per outing while shooting a somewhat respectable 42 percent from the field and 37 percent from three-point range.

However, just when it appeared that Snell was ready to take the next step, he had a disappointing showing during the 2015-16 campaign.

Sure, there were instances when he reached double figures one night, but that was often followed by a string of games where his production left a lot to be desired.

For example, Snell scored 17 points on 7-for-11 shooting in a mid-January game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Then he scored just 18 points combined over the next seven games.

As far as Snell is concerned, the talent is certainly there, but he has failed to reach the point where he can be relied upon to produce consistently.

Despite the gloom and doom narrative, I’m going to predict that Snell will elevate his game to another level next season for the simple fact that it will be his last year in a Bulls uniform if he doesn’t.

Jul 10, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Denzel Valentine drives with the ball during an NBA Summer League game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Thomas & Mack Center. Chicago won the game 83-70. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

3. Denzel Valentine Will Finish In The Top 10 Of 2016 Rookie Class

Shortly after sending Derrick Rose to the Knicks, the Bulls selected Denzel Valentine with the 14th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft.

During his senior season at Michigan State, Valentine posted averages of 19.2 points, 7.8 assists and 7.5 rebounds on shooting splits of .462/.441/.853.

While his Summer League numbers weren’t quite as impressive (11.6 points , 6.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per contest on 35 percent shooting) there are a few reasons for Bulls fans to be excited about this pick.

For starters, Valentine’s scoring numbers increased every season during his four years at MSU. Secondly, he has proven that he can be effective around the basket as well as the perimeter.

Oh yeah. By the way, he isn’t afraid to take the big shot either.

Whether it is hitting a game-winner against Ohio State on Valentine’s Day ….

Or helping the Bulls win this year’s Summer League championship ….

Valentine has proven that he has ice in his veins.

And being that his scoring and assists numbers are nearly identical to Ben Simmons (19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists per contest) — who was the top overall pick in the draft — there’s no reason to believe why Valentine doesn’t have a chance to finish in the top 10 of this year’s rookie class.

Jul 29, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Dwayne Wade (right) and Bulls general manager Gar Forman pose for a photo after addressing the media after a press conference at Advocate Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

4. D. Wade Will Be A Difference-Maker For Bulls

When it comes to Dwyane Wade signing with the Bulls, the adage “the third time’s a charm” comes to mind. Wade was selected as the fifth overall pick by the Miami Heat in the 2003 draft, just two spots ahead of the Bulls, who had the No. 7 pick.

Seven years later, the Bulls hoped to acquire Wade during the summer of 2010. Instead, Wade opted to stay in Miami and went on to win a pair of titles with LeBron James and Chris Bosh.

Following contentious contract negotiations with the Heat during the offseason, the 13-year veteran signed with Bulls on a two-year deal worth $47.5 million, thus bringing the local kid back to city he grew up in.

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, Wade is past his prime at 34 years of age. That point cannot be debated.

In addition to that, his 19.0 points per game tied for the second-lowest scoring output of his career. At the same time, Wade did appear in 74 games last season, the most he has played in five seasons.

It is also worth noting that he averaged 21.4 points per game while converting an eye-popping 52 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc during Miami’s postseason run.

That being said, as long as Wade isn’t asked to log heavy minutes on a nightly basis — something he says he has no desire to do — it is possible that he will return to being the 20-point scorer he has been for most of his career.

Apr 13, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg reacts to a play against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

5. Bulls Make It Back To The Playoffs

When Fred Hoiberg agreed to take over the coaching reins, he was sold on the idea that he was inheriting a championship-caliber roster.

After a frustrating season that resulted in the team missing the postseason for the first time in eight years, though, Hoiberg knows that was not the case.

Taking that into consideration, what can we expect in year two of Hoiball? Well, despite the disappointments that plagued the team in his inaugural season, Hoiberg is confident about the new-look Bulls and his ability to coach ball-dominant players.

From Chicago Tribune’s K.C. Johnson:

“That’s what coaching is all about,” he said. “Figuring what the best system is based on your talent. When I was (coaching Iowa State), I had a lot of fifth-year transfer kids and guys who were in there for one year. The big thing is to make the style fit the personnel. I played a different style pretty much every year, at least the first three.

“It’s about molding your system and philosophy to who’s going to be on the floor and hopefully play unselfishly. It’s still predicated on ball movement. And, again, if you have multiple playmakers, that helps everybody.”

While the trio of Wade, Jimmy Butler and Rajon Rondo won’t strike fear in opponents in terms of long-range shooting, each player brings a different dynamic to the table.

With a year under his belt, along with a better feel for the temperament of the personnel, Hoiberg will fare better in year two, which will result in a return trip to the postseason.