Bulls careful to keep expectations low for Year 2 of the rebuild

Let's start with the good news: The Bulls are no longer trying to lose.

In their version of an enhanced rebuilding process, the Bulls planned on just one year of tanking and that's over. This season is supposed to be a step forward.

So how good will they be this year? Slow down now. The Bulls may be attempting a rapid rebuild, but they have been careful to put zero expectations on the next couple of seasons.

"You're not going to hear Gar (Forman) and I talk about wins or anything like that, but the expectations for us are to see this team come together," Vice President of Basketball Operations John Paxson said on media day. "We're pleased in terms of where we are in the rebuild. With that said, we also understand that we have a lot of work to do."

The players were equally vague about expectations for this season.

"I think expectations for us is just going to be taking it day by day and being competitive," Zach LaVine said. "I'm not putting expectations on this season. Obviously we want to make the playoffs, we want to compete for championships. So that's what we're going to start with. Build those championship habits."

"Specifically, getting more wins than last year, that's one of our goals," added Kris Dunn. " ... And really to compete and play hard against any team."

What is a realistic goal for Year 2 of the rebuild? It's hard to say. The surprising 14-7 stretch in December and January last season makes it seem like playoff contention is possible, especially in the weaker Eastern Conference.

But outside expectations are low. Vegas odds have the Bulls projected at 27 to 30 wins, which ranks in the bottom five, generally ahead of Atlanta, Sacramento, New York and Phoenix. Keep in mind, changes to the NBA draft lottery, providing less incentive to lose, go into effect this season.

For the most part, this season will be about watching and evaluating. Do the Bulls have the right pieces in place?

The evaluation includes coach Fred Hoiberg, who is in the fourth year of a five-year deal. It certainly includes free-agent addition Jabari Parker, who is essentially playing on an expensive one-year contract.

It includes LaVine, heading into his fifth NBA season. If he's going to use his tremendous athleticism to become a true NBA star, now is the time to show it. Dunn and Lauri Markkanen displayed some nice potential last season.

The evaluations extend all the way to Bobby Portis and backup point guard Cameron Payne, who are both eligible for contract extensions. Denzel Valentine, Antonio Blakeney; future free agents Robin Lopez and Justin Holiday - plenty of Bulls have something to prove.

The makeup of this team is a little bit odd. LaVine and Parker are both making around $20 million this season, but both are coming back from ACL injuries suffered in February of 2017 and should be 100 percent healthy by now. Meanwhile, three players still on rookie contracts - Dunn, Markkanen and Portis - showed they could be important pieces in the rebuild.

The plan was for Parker to play small forward, which is probably out of position for him. He spent more time at power forward during his four seasons in Milwaukee and figures to be more comfortable there. But with Markkanen suffering an elbow injury during the first week of camp and expected to miss up to eight weeks, Parker will start the season at power forward while Holiday starts at the three spot.

"I think we've got a really good group of guys that want to be as good as they possibly can be," Paxson said. "What that means? That will be determined by how they come together and how they play. So again, it's always exciting. I think if our young guys grow through their hard work this summer, we will be a better basketball team."

That's a tepid prediction, certainly. But being better does beat the alternative.

@McGrawDHBulls