Two years ago, the Chicago Bulls decided to push their chips onto the table in an attempt to push for the playoffs. They traded for Nikola Vucevic at the 2021 NBA trade deadline, and that following summer, they signed DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, and Alex Caruso. Unfortunately, injuries got in the way, and outside of a hot start in the 2021-22 season, their current core has fallen flat.
They made the playoffs in their first season together, but this past year, they were eliminated in the Play-In Tournament. And while Arturas Karnisovas has publicly expressed his intent to keep the team together, they could be in need of a refresh. Well, one could be on the way.
According to Sam Smith of NBA.com, people he spoke to around the league believe that Chicago might be more interested in rebuilding than Karnisovas has let on. In fact, he heard they could be “done” with the current Big Three of DeRozan, LaVine, and Vucevic.
Chicago Bulls rumors: Bulls might be 'done' with Big Three
Smith’s sources revealed that Chicago could look to seriously shake things up this offseason.
“But I do believe there will be a significant Bulls changes this summer,” Smith wrote. “Or at least they will seriously be trying. I was at the Draft Combine this week and heard from an insider that he believes the Bulls are done with this Big Three. But I did hear it from him outside, so there could be a credibility issue given that. Sources who may or may not know agreed.”
Chicago Bulls rumors: Smith expects Bulls changes
On top of that, Smith thinks the Bulls will significantly change their core this summer. Likely one involving the Big Three.
“Of course, such an observation doesn’t need Sherlock Holmes,” Smith wrote. “Vučević is a free agent, DeRozan is going into his last contract season and LaVine has some huge financial seasons ahead. That one of them would not return can come from both informed and uninformed sources. Though watch that space. I expect a change in that core.”
The current Chicago core has only spent two seasons together, but it’s clear that it’s not a championship-caliber Big Three. In turn, a change might be what’s best for the organization.
