The Chicago Bulls’ season is at a critical juncture, with player roles shifting and the front office facing key decisions. This is especially true for young talents Dalen Terry and Julian Phillips, whose futures with the team are now in the spotlight. Added to this complex equation is the contract situation of newly acquired point guard Josh Giddey, making for a fascinating, and potentially turbulent, period for the franchise.

The conversation around Terry and Phillips is centered around their lack of consistent playing time and production. Terry, despite showing flashes of athleticism and defensive potential, is averaging a mere 4 points per game. His minutes have decreased significantly in February, raising concerns about his role moving forward. Julian Phillips, who began the season as a promising bench player, has similarly seen his playing time dwindle, sparking questions about whether he can crack the rotation or whether he will ever get a chance to prove his worth.

Both players’ potential is undeniable, but the Bulls are a win-now team who are looking for an improvement. While the future of these young players remains uncertain, the team’s focus has shifted to the development of more established pieces.

However, the situation around Josh Giddey is a different animal altogether. Though Giddey has not put up eye-popping numbers since being acquired by the Bulls, the team is in a tough spot and has to decide to either resign him, or move on from him and try to develop the young core even faster. Despite his relatively inconsistent scoring efficiency, Giddey is putting up solid all-around numbers, averaging around 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists per game. If the Bulls decide to keep him, it’s critical to determine how he fits into the offense, especially with the departure of Zach LaVine. His performance in February, with increased shot attempts, will be a key indicator of his role and value. He is coming off of a couple of solid performances where he has been averaging 18.5 points per game with 6.3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.5 steals. These numbers show signs of improvement as he settles into the role.

The Bulls’ front office is facing challenging choices, but the futures of Terry, Phillips, and the contract decision with Giddey will have a lasting impact on the trajectory of this franchise. What the Bulls have to do is make the right call for the best possible future. Can the team properly develop these players? Can they find the right balance with Giddey? Only time will tell.