The 2015–16 Chicago Bulls relied on Jimmy Butler as their primary offensive leader and top all-around contributor, while Pau Gasol provided consistent interior scoring, strong rebounding, and rim protection. Derrick Rose remained a key ball-handler and secondary scoring option, with Nikola Mirotić adding perimeter shooting and frontcourt depth. The roster featured balanced offensive production and solid rebounding but lacked consistently efficient outside shooting and high-level playmaking across the lineup.
Chicago’s primary two-way engine handled heavy creation duties while still taking the toughest wing assignments. His 20.9 points and 4.8 assists reflected a growing offensive workload, yet he remained one of the league’s most respected perimeter defenders and earned another All-Defensive selection. (NBA.com)
All-Star (2016), All-Defensive Second Team (2016)
Pau Gasol
Starter/Star
31.8
High
16.5
11.0
4.1
2.6
90.29
Operating as a skilled interior hub, Gasol blended post scoring, rebounding and high-level passing. The veteran center averaged a double-double, supplied elite frontcourt playmaking and was selected to replace Butler in the 2016 All-Star Game. (Wikipedia)
All-Star (2016)
Derrick Rose
Starter/Star
31.8
High
16.4
3.4
4.7
0.9
66.00
Rose remained an aggressive downhill guard even as injuries had reduced some of his explosiveness. He still created pressure off the dribble, generated offense in transition and finished as one of the club’s main shot creators.
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Nikola Mirotić
Key Contributor
24.9
Medium
11.8
5.5
1.5
1.6
47.66
Stretch-four shooting was the foundation of Mirotić’s value. His willingness to fire from deep opened driving lanes for teammates, and he provided useful secondary scoring despite an inconsistent campaign.
—
Taj Gibson
Key Contributor
26.5
Medium
8.6
6.9
1.5
1.7
43.43
Gibson filled the dirty-work role as a physical defender and rebounder. He rarely needed touches to impact games, instead providing interior toughness, screen setting and reliable help defense.
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Doug McDermott
Key Contributor
23.0
Medium
9.4
2.4
0.7
0.3
29.11
Functioning primarily as a floor spacer, McDermott shot 42.5% from three and gave the Bulls much-needed movement shooting. His offensive gravity often outweighed his modest box-score production.
—
E’Twaun Moore
Key Contributor
21.4
Medium
7.5
2.3
1.7
0.9
28.18
Moore carved out minutes as an efficient complementary guard. He knocked down perimeter shots, moved well without the ball and provided steady backcourt depth on a roster searching for consistency.
—
Bobby Portis
Key Contributor
17.8
Medium
7.0
5.4
0.8
0.8
25.41
The rookie big brought energy whenever he checked in. Portis attacked the glass, played with confidence and flashed the scoring touch that later became a larger part of his NBA profile.
—
Joakim Noah
Key Contributor
21.9
Medium
4.3
8.8
3.8
1.6
24.49
Although injuries limited him, Noah still influenced games through passing and defensive instincts. His ability to facilitate from the high post remained unique among centers.
—
Aaron Brooks
Bench
16.1
Medium
7.1
1.5
2.6
0.5
25.74
Brooks supplied instant offense off the bench. His quick pull-up game and willingness to attack in space helped stabilize second-unit possessions.
—
Tony Snell
Key Contributor
20.3
Low
5.3
3.1
1.0
0.6
21.00
Snell’s value came more from spacing and defensive versatility than raw numbers. He regularly guarded multiple positions while filling a low-usage wing role.
—
Justin Holiday
Bench
18.9
Low
6.5
2.3
1.7
1.3
23.60
Holiday provided athletic wing depth and showed flashes as a three-and-D contributor. His activity level on defense helped him earn rotational minutes.
—
Mike Dunleavy
Key Contributor
22.7
Low
7.2
2.7
1.3
0.8
25.20
Injuries limited his season, but Dunleavy remained a smart connective wing. He spaced the floor effectively and made quick decisions within the offense.
—
Cristiano Felício
Bench
10.4
Low
3.4
3.3
0.8
0.6
16.20
Felício’s contributions centered on energy plays around the basket. He finished efficiently, rebounded well in limited minutes and gave the frontcourt additional size.
—
Kirk Hinrich
Bench
15.9
Low
3.8
1.7
1.7
0.4
15.20
Near the end of his career, Hinrich operated as a veteran stabilizer. He offered leadership, ball security and dependable positional defense in short bursts.
—
Cameron Bairstow
Bench
5.7
Low
1.9
1.6
0.3
0.3
8.20
Bairstow saw only limited action, mostly serving as frontcourt depth. His minutes typically came in reserve situations where physicality and effort were required.
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TEAM TOTALS
—
242.7
—
101.6
46.3
22.8
11.7
557.09
Chicago finished 42-40 and narrowly missed the playoffs. The roster featured established veterans and former stars, but injuries and inconsistent offensive identity prevented the group from reaching its preseason expectations. (ESPN)
