In Alternate Universe No. 620, the Chicago Bulls are headed back to the NBA playoffs!
With the regular season officially one week away, ESPN’s Kevin Pelton decided to share the results of a season-long simulation. Pelton used his stats-based projections for the year to run a handful of different models of the 2025-26 campaign. He settled on No. 620 as the one to explore a little deeper, citing some of its more surprising outcomes. I encourage you to read the full piece!
One of those outcomes happened to be the success of the Chicago Bulls. Handed an over-under win total in the low 30s by many sportsbooks this preseason, ESPN’s simulation had the team finishing 41-41 for their best record since the 2021-22 season. To be sure, it was a slow build for this young group, who apparently started the year 7-18 and third-to-last in the East.
Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls – © David Banks-Imagn ImagesThey really turned things around in March and entered the final month of the regular season one game above .500 and in the No. 9 seed. The simulation has the Bulls finishing the regular season in this exact spot and facing off against the No. 10-seeded Boston Celtics in the first round of the Play-In Tournament. After winning that game, the NBA was treated to … drum roll, please … Bulls-Heat Part IV!!
After three straight years of losing to Erik Spoelstra’s crew, the new and improved Bulls pull off the win and clinch a first-round series against the No. 1-seeded Orlando Magic. Pelton goes on to rule the Bulls one of the big winners from Simulation No. 620, as the Trail Blazers also snuck into the postseason and thus handed over their 2026 first-round pick to Chicago.
So … thoughts?
Yes, I rolled my eyes too when I saw that the Bulls ended the year in the thick of the Play-In. But I do think the context matters. As far as I’m concerned, I would pretty happily take THIS simulated season from this specific roster. While I’ve cheered for lottery balls in the past (and remain open to doing so), there is a difference between shooting for the Play-In with Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan versus doing so with Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis.
In other words, if this young group of Bulls mustered a .500 record and clinched a first-round series, I’d have a hard time seeing that as anything other than a positive step forward. It would surely mean that a couple of young guys took another important developmental leap and/or that somebody performed at a near All-Star level. This type of year would also make them a considerably more attractive destination once the offseason hits, which is when they will have significant spending power and roster flexibility.
I know that being open to a fourth consecutive Play-In run makes me sound like I have Stockholm Syndrome, but I do think we have to view this season differently than we did the past three. The Bulls turned a page when they traded Zach LaVine. Now, do they need to keep turning pages? Absolutely. However, oddly enough, one way to do that very well could be by going BACK to the Play-In, clinching a playoff spot, and showing the rest of the NBA that you’re successfully developing young talent.
With that said … a Top 5 pick is cool, too!
Oct 7, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) drives to the basket between Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) and guard Donovan Mitchell (45) during the second half at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn ImagesHence then, the article about how would you feel if this simulation of the chicago bulls season became a reality was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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