After the big trade with the Cavaliers the Bulls have decided to let Joakim Noah and Aaron Gray start to get increased minutes. Noah is a ball of energy as he is always hustling on the basketball court. He has played in 50 games (8 starts) this season for the Bulls and he is averaging 16.9 minutes, 5.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. Noah has shot 45.7% from the floor but only 63.2% from the free throw line this season. Noah will need to improve on his free throw shooting if he wants to continue to start. Center Aaron Gray has played in 40 games (0 starts) so far this season for the Bulls. He’s a soft 7-footer but he has some offensive game. He is averaging 9.6 minutes, 4.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. Gray has shot 49.3% from the floor this season but only 54.2% from the free throw line. Demetris Nichols has played in 4 games (0 starts) for the Bulls this season and he’s yet to score but has 2 rebounds. JamesOn Curry has not played yet this season for the Bulls.

The Bulls haven’t gotten the production from their rookies like they thought they would and they need that to change soon. Forward/Center Joakim Noah was the first round pick of the Bulls and he hasn’t gotten much playing time yet to show what he can or can’t do. Noah has played in 21 games so far this season for the Bulls and he is averaging 12.4 minutes, 4.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. Noah is only shooting 41.1% from the floor but he has made 76.9% of his shots from the free throw line. The Bulls won’t likely extend Noah’s playing time until he improves his play on the floor.

Center Aaron Gray has played decent in his limited minutes on the basketball court. Gray has played in 15 games so far this season and he is averaging 10.6 minutes, 3.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. He is shooting 45.3% from the floor but only 40% from the free throw line. He could see more minutes in the near future.

Guard JamesOn Curry and forward Demetrius Nichols have not played yet for the Bulls but they both have talent.

The grade could have been higher if the Bulls would have let their rookies play more, but no one can argue with the results the Bulls had by playing their veteran players over the rookies. Tyrus Thomas has big-time athletic ability, now he just needs his game to catch up. He played in 72 games last season and he averaged 13.4 minutes, 5.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 1.1 blocks per game. It’s possible that if his game matures that he could be the starting power forward for the Bulls next season. Thabo Sefolosha (G/F) played in 71 games this season and he averaged 3.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. Sefolosha will likely be a key reserve for the Bulls next season.

With Ben Wallace a little bit nicked up the last two weeks the Bulls needed someone to step up and Tyrus Thomas has. He has played in 5 games the last two weeks and he’s averaged 13.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. He also is shooting an amazing 61% from the floor in those 5 games. The Bulls have been waiting for Thomas to mature as a player to take advantage of his outstanding athletic ability and it seems like he’s finally starting to get it.

The Bulls rookies have not gotten much court time because of all the veteran forwards on their roster. But when the kids have played they have done well. Power Forward Tyrus Thomas is a player. He has played in 40 games and has averaged 10.4 minutes, 3.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.5 assists. Thomas would start on a lot of teams and the Bulls depth will really help them late in the season and in the playoffs.

Small Forward Thabo Sefolosha is also a very active player that deserves more playing time, but he’s also blocked by vets. He has played in 42 games and is averaging 12.4 minutes, 3.6 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists.

These guys have a bright future for the Bulls.