The 25-27 Bulls find themselves at a crossroads as this Thursday’s trade deadline approaches, but they don’t have any intention of trading away core players, team and league sources tell Jamal Collier of ESPN.
Collier’s report is consistent with what we’ve heard in recent weeks from other Bulls reporters, including K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago and Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. Both Johnson and Cowley acknowledged that the team’s stance could change as the trade deadline nears, but with only about 72 hours left for teams to make in-season trades, it sounds like the Bulls haven’t become any more inclined to sell.
Collier does hear from a league source that the Bulls have shown a willingness to listen to inquiries on Alex Caruso, but says Chicago would probably have to be “blown away” by an offer to actually trade the veteran guard, who is the club’s best perimeter defender.
Here’s more on the Bulls:
- With Lonzo Ball‘s availability up in the air for the foreseeable future, Kyrie Irving might have made some sense as a Bulls target from an on-court perspective, writes Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. However, Cowley hears that Irving was never on the team’s radar following his trade request. Russell Westbrook isn’t a trade target for Chicago either, Cowley adds.
- After earning All-Star nods in 2021 and 2022, Zach LaVine isn’t sweating not being named to the team this year, writes K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. “I didn’t feel like I played at an All-Star level at the beginning of the season. That’s coming back off of injury. I started slow and then started picking it up,” LaVine said. “I am where I’m supposed to be at. I know who I am as a player. I think the league knows that too.”
- As Johnson relays, LaVine added that the Bulls haven’t been good enough to warrant sending two players to the All-Star Game (DeMar DeRozan was named a reserve). “I think bigger picture you’re not worried about All-Star, you’re trying to get your team back in the playoff picture,” LaVine said.
- At one point this fall, it seemed like Coby White might be the odd man out in Chicago’s backcourt, but he has established himself as a consistent rotation piece over the course of the season, writes Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic. As Mayberry outlines, the case for hanging onto White and attempting to re-sign him as a restricted free agent is more compelling than it once was, so the Bulls could face a tough decision on the fourth-year guard at the trade deadline if they get a viable trade offer for him.
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Very measured and reasonable response from LaVine. I like that. He’s not perfect, but he’s not a drama llama by any stretch.
LaVine is the definition of a crybaby.
…I’m sorry, have you not seen anything about.. most All-Star-caliber players? See Irving, Kyrie. LaVine at least doesn’t half-ass things, and he hasn’t gotten upset about a potential snub.
I watch LaVine half-ass on the court every night. What else you got?
I’m with you, Krause. Lavine is insanely skilled, but he gets caught not paying attention far too often on D. He can kill offensive momentum too when he throws up an early shot clock 3. He hasn’t shown that he can be a #1 on a playoff team
I agree.
Bol, Cole, TRoss, JIsaac, Chi’s 2023 1st, Orl’s 2023 1st & Den’s 2025 1st to Atl for Trae… Orlando gets an all-nba lead guard to add to their strong young core. They have Trae/Paolo/Franz/Suggs/Wendell/Bamba to build with & still have all of their own 1sts after this yr… Atl gets a lot better defensively & adds a lot more depth on the wing. Sets us up to make a strong impression on a deep draft this summer as well
Former teammates Trae & Markelle are a perfect backcourt combo as well
Glad to see that even an idiot like Cowley admits the Bulls won’t take Westbrook. Hope that stops the crack brigade from coming up with Derozan for Westbrook trades.
What do you think Chi should do then…
Wait until they buy Westbrook out, then just pay him the minimum.
Sankara–Trade Lavine and Vujevic. If you can find a sucker for Lavine. If you remember I was totally against signing him to a Max deal. They should of traded him at last years deadline. Big mistake.
Lol no I definitely don’t remember that. I struggle to see how Chicago would get better by trading Zach tho. Where would the scoring come from? DeMar can’t score 50 every night
That’s funny, Because you were one of the biggest Lavine supporters and used to rant and rave against me when I said he wasn’t worth the money and should of been dealt last year. Your handle should be Two Faced.
I literally have no idea who u are lol I do love Zach’s game tho. I mean he’s an extremely talented basketball player… Who are you trading Zach for tho?
Last year he was worth 19 million. Now he’s 37 million. Like I said it would of been easier to find a match last year and you could of gotten draft picks. Now it’s just saving 5 years of 37 million. Two expiring deals and a decent young PF is all you’re gonna get now. If you can deal him and Vujevic and then next year have the 60 million they cost available is the win-win.
LaVine for Ben Simmons why not. Chicago has no moves. Do something crazy. One head case for another
Why would any sane team want Simmons? At least LaVine can play basketball.
Agree. Simmons is cancer. Or Aids. Or Herpes. Or any disease of your choice. He’s team death.
Maybe they can get some of the Dallas picks in return.
Lavine can play, but if the team still stinks does it matter? Chicago is going nowhere. They should never have given him that contract and they need to blow it up. 2 years too late…sorry not sorry, someone had to say it.
Anyone had Chicago beef sandwiches though? Very tasty and hard to find outside of the Chicago metro area. Pity.
Those are dope.
Can’t resist a Portillo’s Beef and Cheddar Croissant. With Peppers, Sweet or Hot. Fabulous.
Portillo’s is for amateurs. That’s like saying McDonald’s has the best hamburger (or Portillo’s has the best Chicago hot dog).
Try Lulu’s or Al’s around Taylor Street, or Johnnie’s in Elmwood Park if yer out that way. Do not settle for mass market imitators.
Spencer Dinwiddie is a new ChiBulls PG.Trust me
He’d be a good addition ….
DeRozan to the Knicks ….
Unless the Knicks move to the West Coast I doubt it. He wants to go home but the Lakers have nothing to offer and the Clippers don’t seem to be interested. Maybe the Kings?
Um, DeRozan has no say in where he gets traded.
You’re a sap if you believe that. The Bulls just got back into the good graces of the players for FA since the Gar-Pax fiasco years. They’re not going to Piss off their best player and go back into the dungeon. I’m sure he’ll have a ton to say on when and even if he’s traded.
You are an a-hole when you attack other commenters. DeRozan has an option for 23-24. If he doesn’t like where they send him, he can go UFA in the summer. He is a pro, repeatedly has said he knows it is a business.
The Bulls looking smart by not trading for Kyrie or Westbrook…
Doing is nothing is better than doing something for the sake of doing something…
Trading LaVine and Vooch are the two best ideas for this team.
Vooch can be replaced with Andre, and you move LaVine for the best package with draft picks!
Who replaces LaVine?
Let White play or have Ayo shift to LaVine spot with White rotating in. It would allow the team to start off with AC, Ayo, DD and Andre and the only thing needed is a PF while moving Williams to the bench.