Since 2003-04, the Chicago Bulls have spent $1.8 billion but never played in the NBA Finals.
In recent weeks, we have taken a close look at how teams such as the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, and Philadelphia 76ers have spent their money over the last 20 seasons. The one thing they all share in common during that time is a lack of an appearance in the Finals, let alone an NBA championship.
Today, we look at yet another team that fits that criteria, the Chicago Bulls, who have been much more frugal compared to other franchises while chasing the ghosts of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Phil Jackson, and their last championship in 1998. Since 2003-04, the Bulls rank 21st in total payroll, dishing out exactly $1.8 billion without so much as one appearance in the NBA Finals and just one appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals.
While the Bulls have done enough in the last 20 seasons to make the playoffs 12 times, or 60.0% of the time, they have never truly put a team on the court that was the overwhelming favorite to contend for a championship as they did during the 1990s. A deeper dive into what the Bulls have done in terms of spending will reveal a pattern that has contributed to their struggles.
2003-04 Season – $55.5 Million
Regular Season Record: 23-59
Playoffs: N/A
2004-05 Season – $57.3 Million
Regular Season Record: 47-35
Playoffs: Lost First Round (2-4 vs. Washington Wizards)
2005-06 Season – $57.2 Million
Regular Season Record: 41-41
Playoffs: Lost First Round (2-4 vs. Miami Heat)
2006-07 Season – $54.7 Million
Regular Season Record: 49-33
Playoffs: Lost Second Round (2-4 vs. Detroit Pistons)
2007-08 Season – $63.1 Million
Regular Season Record: 33-49
Playoffs: N/A
2008-09 Season – $68.1 Million
Regular Season Record: 41-41
Playoffs: Lost First Round (3-4 vs. Boston Celtics)
2009-10 Season – $69.7 Million
Regular Season Record: 41-41
Playoffs: Lost First Round (1-4 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers)
2010-11 Season – $54.5 Million
Regular Season Record: 62-20
Playoffs: Lost Eastern Conference Finals (1-4 vs. Miami Heat)
2011-12 Season – $69.5 Million
Regular Season Record: 50-16
Playoffs: Lost First Round (2-4 vs. Philadelphia 76ers)
2012-13 Season – $74.5 Million
Regular Season Record: 45-37
Playoffs: Lost Second Round (1-4 vs. Miami Heat)
2013-14 Season – $73.3 Million
Regular Season Record: 48-34
Playoffs: Lost First Round (1-4 vs. Washington Wizards)
2014-15 Season – $67.4 Million
Regular Season Record: 50-32
Playoffs: Lost Second Round (2-4 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers)
2015-16 Season – $87.0 Million
Regular Season Record: 42-40
Playoffs: N/A
2016-17 Season – $92.5 Million
Regular Season Record: 41-41
Playoffs: Lost First Round (2-4 vs. Boston Celtics)
2017-18 Season – $90.5 Million
Regular Season Record: 27-55
Playoffs: N/A
2018-19 Season – $112.6 Million
Regular Season Record: 22-60
Playoffs: N/A
2019-20 Season – $112.6 Million
Regular Season Record: 22-43
Playoffs: N/A
2020-21 Season – $129.0 Million
Regular Season Record: 31-41
Playoffs: N/A
2021-22 Season – $138.1 Million
Regular Season Record: 46-36
Playoffs: Lost First Round (1-4 vs. Milwaukee Bucks)
2022-23 Season – $151.9 Million
Regular Season Record: 40-42
Playoffs: N/A
The Bulls Have Spent $1.8 Billion In The Last 20 Years With Just One Appearance In The Conference Finals
Since their dynastic success of the 1990s which saw them claim six championships from 1991 through 1998, the Chicago Bulls and their fans have been on a rollercoaster of emotions. They went through the rebuild after the Jordan Years with Elton Brand and other draft and trade mistakes during the 2000s. They were fortunate enough to land a budding superstar in Derrick Rose who went on to win MVP, only to have it ripped away in gut-wrenching fashion.
In 20 years, the Bulls have made the playoffs just 12 times while ranking 21st in the NBA in payroll during that stretch. Those playoff berths resulted in eight first-round losses, two second-round losses, and a loss in the 2011 Conference Finals.
The 2023-24 season marks their highest-spending season since 2003-04, ranking 12th in the NBA with a $165.3 million payroll. Currently, they have a 25-28 record through 53 games and are likely headed for another shot at the Play-In Tournament. Despite the presence of stars such as DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic, the last three seasons have been filled with nothing but frustration, injury, and lack of continuity. You can expect a full rebuild coming this summer if things remain the same through the end of this season.
Chicago Bulls Franchise Resume
– 58 Seasons In The NBA (1967-2024)
– 37 Playoff Appearances
– 6 NBA Finals Appearances
– 6 NBA Championships
The 2022-23 season marked the 24th consecutive season since the Chicago Bulls were last crowned NBA champions. Despite how gloomy things have looked in recent years, that is still just the 12th-shortest championship drought in the NBA out of all 30 franchises. However, they have not been back to the NBA Finals since 1998 and have appeared in just one Conference Finals in 2011, 14 seasons ago.
Before their six NBA championships and two three-peats during the 1990s led by Michael Jordan, the Bulls were struggling as a franchise. They had appeared in just four Conference Finals series, losing them all in six games or less, and have only been to one since 1998. Now, in 2023-24, things have hit a standstill once again with the franchise likely headed for yet another rebuild. Franchise stars such as Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan are likely to be traded while the Bulls look to shift their focus and build for the future.
Let’s just hope the next 20 years are far more productive than the last 20.
