The Bulls are the Cavs’ biggest rival for the next 5 years

Where things are headed for the Cavs and Bulls

Looking onward, the Bulls would appear to have staying power, as while he is set to be an unrestricted free agent this upcoming offseason, it would seem that Zach LaVine should be in-line to receive a supermax extension, and barring something unforeseen, I’d expect he’ll be Chicago’s centerpiece for years to come.

Now, LaVine has had some significant injuries, but he just turned 27, is one of the league’s best wings that is fresh off two All-Star appearances, and has made notable strides as a passer, coupled with his three-level scoring abilities.

From there, it’s uncertain if we’ll continue to see this sort of play from DeRozan; he has generally been durable in his career, and he’s signed through the next two seasons, anyhow. He is set to make $27.3 and $28.6 million, respectively, in the next two years, which isn’t necessarily an overpay for what he can provide, but he will be in his age-33 and age-34 seasons, so that has to be considered, too.

Vucevic still could very well have quality years ahead as one of the league’s most versatile 5s, and Ball and Caruso are defensive stallwarts for the Bulls, but health concerns have to be in mind for them, too. They’re both pretty young still, though, and are both signed through the next three years, with Caruso receiving non-taxpayer mid-level exception compensation of roughly $9-10 million annually next season-on, and Lonzo Ball receiving about $20 million in that same span.

Regarding others, Patrick Williams showed promise last season as a rookie, Ayo Dosunmu has been a second-round steal, and Javonte Green is a valuable defensive and transition player that could feasibly stick around; he’s signed through next season. It’s tough to say if Coby White will; he’ll be a restricted free agent in 2023.

When examining the Cavaliers’ outlook, as we hit on, they’re a club that’s made considerable strides this season, too, but their crucial pieces are younger than the Bulls, even while age for Chicago I wouldn’t deem as a concern for much of the team.

With the Cavs, however, Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen are 22 and 23, and both were All-Stars this season, and appear to only be on the way up from here in their careers. Allen is signed through the next four seasons and won’t necessarily be a bargain for a 5, but he’s legitimized his 5-year, $100 million contract from this past summer, and Garland seems set for a big deal, and will be extension-eligible this coming offseason.

Along with those two, Evan Mobley has been a home run pick for the Cavs from the 2021 NBA Draft, looks to be the clear frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year, and he’s barely scratched the surface at 20 years old. The 7-footer has immense potential, and could be a perennial All-Star in years to come, based on how impacts games on both ends already so consistently.

Regarding others, I still believe Collin Sexton could definitely be a significant player for Cleveland, and trade deadline acquisition Caris LeVert could be too, provided both end up being locked up long term. Isaac Okoro is another guy that shown encouraging progress, too, and Lauri Markkanen, who was acquired via sign-and-trade from Chicago, could end up being a player Cleveland keeps for the long haul, given his size and shooting/offensive capabilities.

Cedi Osman has been a glue guy for Cleveland in recent years and could potentially be a Cavs lifer when it’s all said and done, even with his streaky nature, and I’d think one of Lamar Stevens and Dean Wade could stick around as defensive-oriented culture guys that have found their niche.

So, for now, the Bulls are more in the realm of a contention window, but looking onward, I do believe the Cavaliers could move past them in coming years, and we’ll have to see how DeRozan is in the next two years ahead, along with Vucevic. As an aside, even with his success in a shift to a bench role this season, the 33-year-old Kevin Love probably is not a player that’ll still be involved in two years.

The Cavs, long term, are absolutely coming, though, and I believe over time, will be title contenders more so than the Bulls, particularly when Garland and Mobley enter their primes. Don’t overlook Sexton and Okoro, either.