The Chicago Bulls may see a significant boost in their offense this season due to Josh Giddey’s developing approach to three-point shooting. Recently observed during training sessions in Australia, Giddey showcased a quicker trigger on deep shots and improved ball movement, hinting at a transformation in his offensive style that could open new opportunities for the team.
Throughout his career, Giddey has rarely taken pull-up three-pointers, largely because of his rigid shooting motion. However, his recent footage highlights a more fluid and confident release behind the arc, which, combined with his exceptional court vision, can create more spacing and force defenders to stretch further from the basket.
Analysis of Giddey’s Shooting Trends and Potential Impact
Last season, Giddey attempted fewer than one pull-up three-pointer per game, converting those shots at a 35.3 percent clip. The majority of his three-point attempts came from catch-and-shoot situations, where he was more efficient, hitting 38.4 percent. While his early career shooting numbers from deep were unremarkable, the possibility of growth in this area offers the Bulls a promising dimension for their offense.
Increasing Giddey’s effectiveness from beyond the arc, particularly off the dribble, would leverage his ability to create plays and distribute the ball, forcing defenses to adjust and potentially opening lanes for teammates.
Current Power Rankings Reflect Chicago’s Mid-Tier Status
According to midoffseason power rankings by The Athletic, the Chicago Bulls currently occupy the 22nd spot, continuing a trend of moderate expectations for the franchise. Analyst Law Murray categorizes the Bulls under “Not the Tier to Fear,” citing their largely unchanged roster as a reason for their stagnant position in the rankings.
Nearby teams include Sacramento in 21st place, embarking on a rebuild featuring the Zach LaVine–DeMar DeRozan duo, and the Toronto Raptors at 23rd, who are notable for their costly roster despite recent organizational changes. The Bulls’ ranking underscores the challenge they face to break free from mediocrity.
Organizational Stability Amid Industry Front Office Changes
Unlike their closest rivals, Sacramento and Toronto, who both replaced their front office leaders recently, Chicago has maintained executive continuity. Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley have earned contract extensions during the offseason, signaling confidence in the current leadership despite the team’s middling projections. This steadiness contrasts with the abrupt changes seen elsewhere and could influence strategic decisions moving forward.
Rookie Noa Essengue’s Potential Role in Bulls’ Lineup
Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report highlighted rookie Noa Essengue’s promising start after strong performances in the Las Vegas Summer League. Wasserman predicted that despite his youth and raw skills at 18 years old, Essengue has the attributes to secure a starting position, citing his off-ball movement, ability to finish plays, and shooting capability.
“Though raw at 18 years old, Essengue has a knack for putting himself in position to make and finish plays from off the ball. He’ll generate the majority of his offense by running the floor, cutting, crashing the glass and hitting spot-up threes,”
—Jonathan Wasserman, Draft Analyst
Wasserman also believes the Bulls might tolerate some rookie mistakes to harness Essengue’s flashes of versatility and creativity, which could reshape Chicago’s slightly uncertain roster.
“For a team that’s slightly stuck in no-man’s land, though, the flashes of driving, shotmaking versatility and improvisation should sway Chicago to let the rookie play through mistakes.”
—Jonathan Wasserman, Draft Analyst
Despite the encouraging outlook, expectations remain cautious. The Bulls have emphasized patience with their young players, as illustrated by limited early-season minutes for Matas Buzelis, and Essengue’s path may likely mirror that approach. Fans, however, can anticipate seeing him frequently during the season, especially in the team’s Hoffman Estates facility.
Other Developments and Context Around the Bulls and NBA
Alongside these roster updates, there are notable storylines in Chicago’s sports landscape. Meanwhile, the Chicago Sky have faced challenges this season, yet Angel Reese has shown strong individual performances, proving critical to the team’s competitiveness. Additionally, Bears’ player Kevin Byard II has openly stressed the importance of toughness at training camp, underscoring the intense mindset in Chicago’s sports environment.
In baseball, the Chicago Cubs’ prospect rankings continue to draw interest, with prominent analysts sharing their insights, and hockey fans await jersey changes for three Blackhawks players next season.
Implications of Giddey’s Shooting Evolution and Future Outlook
If Josh Giddey can solidify a reliable and quicker three-point shot, especially off the dribble, the Bulls’ offensive dynamics could shift significantly, offering more scoring options and creating greater spacing on the floor. This evolution, paired with his already elite playmaking, may help push Chicago out of its current middle-tier status.
With organizational stability from the front office and promising young talent like Noa Essengue emerging, the Bulls have foundations to build on this season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Giddey’s shooting improvements can translate into tangible success on the court and help reshape the team’s trajectory in the highly competitive NBA landscape.