The Bulls are viewed as a prime candidate to sell off veterans ahead of the February 6 trade deadline, Jake Fischer writes on Marc Stein’s Substack page.
As Fischer explains, Chicago has been fairly competitive thus far, currently holding an 8-12 record. But winning too many games could jeopardize the Bulls’ first-round pick, which will convey to San Antonio if it falls outside of the top 10 in next year’s draft (Chicago will keep the pick if it lands in the top 10).
That’s why the Bulls have been signaling to rival teams that they’re open to discussing the “majority of their roster” ahead of the February 6 trade deadline, league sources tell Fischer. Unsurprisingly, Fischer hears Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic and Lonzo Ball top the list of players Chicago would like to move.
The Bulls have reportedly been trying to trade LaVine for well over a year, but have yet to find a suitable deal due to his injury history and maximum-salary contract — he’ll earn a combined $89MM this season and next, with a $49MM player option for ’26/27.
The 29-year-old has been productive this season, averaging 21.6 PPG, 4.7 RPG and 4.3 APG on a sparkling .510/.434/.814 shooting line through 17 games (33.7 MPG). He has also reportedly mended fences with head coach Billy Donovan.
However, three teams who previously held some level of interest in the two-time All-Star — the Kings, Warriors and Pistons — are now considered unlikely suitors for LaVine, according to Fischer.
Here’s more on the Bulls from Fischer’s latest story:
- He doesn’t explicitly mention him by name, but Fischer strongly suggests multiple rival teams would want young players Dalen Terry and Julian Phillips included in any package for taking on LaVine’s contract.
- Vucevic, who is having the most accurate shooting season of his career from all over the court (62.5% on twos, 44.9% on threes, 86.0% on free throws), should have positive trade value. One GM told Fischer he thinks the former All-Star center could net the Bulls a couple of second-round picks. The 34-year-old is earning $20MM in ’24/25, followed by $21.5MM in ’25/26.
- Rival teams haven’t shown much interest in forward Patrick Williams, according to Fischer. Williams, who is currently sidelined with a foot injury, re-signed with Chicago as a restricted free agent over the summer, inking a five-year, $90MM deal.
- Is Josh Giddey a lock to stay in Chicago? Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported that Chicago and Giddey didn’t have any meaningful discussions about a rookie scale extension prior to October’s deadline, and Fischer hears the Bulls never even made the 22-year-old an offer. Giddey will be a restricted free agent in 2025, and his play and minutes have been inconsistent early in his Bulls tenure.
- Fischer suggests contending teams might have some interest in Jevon Carter, but I’d be shocked if he has anything but negative trade value. The veteran guard didn’t play well last season in his first campaign with Chicago, he’s only played 48 total minutes in ’24/25, and he makes $6.5MM this season, with a $6.8MM player option for ’25/26 that he’s virtually certain to exercise.
While GSW is def OUT on LaVine, they are IN on Vucevic, especially if it just costs like, Melton and 2 second rounders for him.
I think there would be a lot of interest in Vucevic if the asking price is Melton and two 2nds
Especially if illegal trades are now legal. Melton does not make enough for that trade to work.
Throw in GP2.
Throw in another pick if that’s the case Arc.
@seamaholic – cant you just work it out yourself that all my trades are framework trades and you can always add money/picks/other teams in to make them work? This is how you should approach all trades proposed on here. The word “like” in my OP means “take it easy on this one” but you never do.
Davey,
0% chance GSW trades for Vucevic because he’s on a long-term deal.
Given the $13M Melton expiring contract and the need for a big-bodied C, it makes sense for THIS year… but GSW has no way to pay him $21M NEXT year (remember Moody and Kuminga).
Trades don’t always have to match salaries dollar for dollar. There are Trade exceptions and Non-simultaneous trades. It also depends on if they are over the salary cap and tax-paying teams.
Well that just won’t work because of the Warriors hard cap situation and being an over the apron team. Warriors would need to send out around $7m in extra salary to match, and they can’t take back salary than they send out.
Thats GP2, also GSW can add in other teams to make any trade I mention work. Yall have to stop being so quick to criticize, none of us are actually making these trades happen, none of us work in front offices, like take it down a notch please. Be charitable instead of hyper-critical.
“stop being so quick to criticize”
Pot calling the kettle black huh
I wasn’t being hypercritical. I merely explained what needed to happen for a trade to work. How am I supposed to know your extent of NBA CBA?
LaVine would be great for the Kings, they desperately need the shooting. Getting Derozan was a mistake.
Kings mistake is not going for a defensive player. They have the offense but need some defense.
oh yeah lavine would be thrilled to be on the same team with derozan again
DD plays hard, but he always affects the flow of the team. They definitely miss Harrison Barnes’ shooting for sure.
Whoever gave Lavine that contract needs to be drug tested and fired. Smh
He’s a good player, no one can predict the future. He deserved that max.
No he did not.
No he didn’t. It was obvious to anybody with a lick of basketball knowledge that he was clearly the best player on really bad teams which allowed them to put up big numbers. He was never a particularly great player.
He deserved that contract. If Ben Simmons can get the max and is worthless, then LaVine deserves what he got. At least Zach plays hard and seems to care about winning. Ben Simmons just likes getting paid.
Unfortunately most of the Bulls veteran players are making more than their worth, so the Bulls would have a hard time getting anyone back of value It’s too bad the Bulls didn’t realize they needed to rebuild, years ago, BEFORE they gave that contract to LaVine.
Trade Ayo. I know he’s a fan favorite but he has a CHEAP deal and probably will want Derrick White type money in his next deal. He can really give some teams that extra 6th man spark and defense. Everyone should be available, including Benny the Bull.
Nah they’ll start shopping him 4 seasons from now when he’s on the start of a new billion a year deal
Accurate.
Bulls need a new coach. Considering he’s still here. They probably need a new FO …… been saying since last yr. They should blow it up for 2025 draft. This draft is a deep deep draft. Bulls getting a top 5 pick would be major. You load up for draft by moving three players. Williams stays and Donovan goes …….
Moving Zach, Vucevic, Ball. All for picks and young talent is the way to go. Avg age of team after moving these players is …..
White 24, Ayo 24, Williams 23, Giddey 22, Smith 24, Buzelis 20, Terry 22, THT 24, Phillips 21.
IMO Williams can be another OG. You help him get there. By making him your starting 3.
Billy Donovan had the most talent in the NBA his yrs at OKC. If that doesn’t tell you who he is. Then you are in the wrong business…….
Agree, who do you think would be a good coach for this team and GM?
anyone else…but we said that before this run of mediocrity
All players he had were talented, but they really haven’t done much with other teams. Yes KD won in Golden State, but he joined a dynasty. What did he win before and after he left the Warriors? Nothing. Nets, a failure, Suns, still a fail and I don’t see the Suns winning a ring with that roster.
The Chicago Bulls have been rebuilding their team since MJ left. They need to trade everyone except Coby, Smith, Dosunmu, Buzelis, Terry & Phillips. They also need to fire the Head Coach immediately.
No plan