Due to their up-and-down play so far this season, the Bulls have been a popular target for trade speculation, with outside sources wondering whether players like Nikola Vucevic, Alex Caruso, or even Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan might hit the trade block.
However, multiple sources tell Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times that it actually might be a “very quiet” trade deadline for the Bulls.
There’s still time for Chicago’s outlook to change between now and the February 9 deadline, but based on what we’ve heard from the reporters who cover the team, it doesn’t sound as if the 19-24 Bulls are as eager to sell as those outside the organization want them to be.
K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago stated earlier this week that he thinks the Bulls are actually more likely to be buyers than sellers. If that’s the case, it would mean players like Vucevic, Caruso, LaVine, and DeRozan almost certainly going anywhere.
Still, given that their record is just 19-24 and they’ve already traded away multiple future first-round picks, the Bulls seem unlikely to make a huge splash on the trade market as a buyer either. Johnson suggested that if they do seek a rotation upgrade, a deal might involve Coby White and the 2023 lottery-protected pick Portland owes to Chicago. That sort of package probably wouldn’t bring back an impact player or change the makeup of the roster too significantly.
Of course, it’s also possible that the Bulls simply decide to stand pat and hope that point guard Lonzo Ball is able to return to action at some point in the second half, boosting the team’s play-in and playoff chances. In that scenario, the front office could reassess the roster in the offseason as Vucevic becomes a free agent and DeRozan enters a contract year, deciding on a direction at that point.
Again, things could change between now and February 9. The Bulls are currently on a three-game losing streak that includes defeats to two current lottery teams (Washington and Oklahoma City) — if that slide continues, perhaps president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas will become more willing to sell. But as long as the club remains firmly in the play-in picture, it sounds like that’s not Plan A.
7,000,873728199 rumors about the bulls on here and now this
Agreed. We need less hoops rumors on Hoops Rumors.
This team has one of worst present and future outlooks in the league. 2 of our 3 best players are 33 years old. We traded away almost all our 1sts and young players so we don’t have enough assets to upgrade this team.
The only smart thing left to do is trade Derozan, Caruso, and Vucevic, tank, and pray to god we get to keep our pick.
Will Ball Be back this year? If yes go for it. If not why try. This team looked good with him. The trades to give up picks was to see the fit with Ball.
LaVine to the >>>> Knicks ……
DeMar to the >>>> Knicks ……
I’ll take either.
IMO Lavine doesn’t fit in a backcourt with Brunson for defensive issues. Derozan would clog our starting lineup with Mitch Rob already being a non shooter. I much rather keeping our assets and making minor improvments (Harrison Barnes and Terrence Ross type of deals)
You’re seriously undervalued Demar Derozan and what all he can bring to the table.
He creates his own space in small areas, and he certainly wouldn’t be bothered by Robinson down in the paint or setting screens…
Derozan would actually be a perfect for for the Knickdls, and I think he’d really help RJ Barrett continue to develop and grow as well…
Preach ……
Hey would love to see Deebo go to NY in return for some unprotected picks and whatever salary matches, maybe Randle?
I say it’s clearly better to for the Bulls to move on from that plan as quick as possible…
Vucevic and DeRozan have more value now than they would next year and it looks like the Ball situation is going to take a while…
It’s time to retool around LaVine and see if that works out better…
The Bulls should of traded LaVine at the deadline last year like I suggested. His value was sky high and an All Star and would of brought back a player and a haul of draft picks. They could of recouped all of the Vujevic picks and more. Now you have a 37 million a year albatross on a 19-24 team going nowhere fast. Dealing from power works. Dealing from desperation is lame. Plus he’s had 2 or 3 knee surgeries now but what do I know. Everybody vilified me at the time. How about now?
Bulls need to trade for some assets and then dump Ball. If they can tind someone willing to take on his contract for like Pat Will, jump on it. See if you can get a first round pick for Caruso from the Knicks and use it to dump Ball.