The Chicago Bulls are looking for a bounceback season in the coming year, and their road forward begins in earnest on Monday night as they open the preseason at the United Center.
The Bulls, who have missed the postseason in each of the last two seasons, are aiming to make it back to the playoffs this year, but before they embark on that quest they will need to determine what starting lineup they’ll roll with going into the season.
According to Bulls head coach Jim Boylen, there are several different combinations that the team is experimenting with, and on Monday night they’ll roll out a lineup that will feature Lauri Markkanen, Zach LaVine, and Kris Dunn, Boylen said.
Otto Porter Jr. and Cristiano Felicio will also get starts for the game against the Milwaukee Bucks, according to multiple reports.
The big name to watch in the Bulls’ lineup will be Dunn, who is aiming to keep a hold of his starting job. Coby White, whom the Bulls took with their first round pick in June’s NBA Draft, is one of the players aiming to unseat Dunn in the starting lineup. Tomas Satoransky is also in the mix, as Boylen has said he is versatile enough to suit up at either point guard or shooting guard, and Shaq Harrison could also unseat Dunn as well.
For now, Dunn will be focused on trying to earn a starting role on a team that is aiming for a postseason berth, and he is aware of the challenges he could face during the preseason.
“(This summer) allowed me to clear my mind to be a better player for this team and also a better teammate,” Dunn told NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson. “I know it’s a talented group, and I want to be a part of that.”
Local
Tip-off between the Bulls and Bucks is set for 7 p.m., and the game will air on NBC Sports Chicago.
