The Chicago Bulls, who sit on the outside looking in as the No. 11 seed in the Eastern Conference, have been subject to trade rumors galore halfway through the season as they’ve failed to meet expectations in the second-year for this version of their core.
Chicago seems to be undecided on whether they should stand pat with their core or become sellers and send out the likes of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Alex Caruso and others for future assets.
On Thursday, ESPN put together six big trades that they’d like to see happen at the deadline, which included the Bulls trading one of their All-Star’s to the Lakers for a collection of draft picks.
Bulls receive: Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley, Max Christie, 2027 unprotected first-round pick and 2029 unprotected first-round pick
Lakers receive: Zach LaVine, Lonzo Ball and Javonte Green
The Bulls have been rumored to be seeking two first-round picks for Caruso. https://t.co/aZmWxoLKK7
— Bulls Wire (@Bulls_Wire) February 2, 2023
This proposed trade sends the two franchises in complete opposite directions.
The Lakers would be bulking up their roster in efforts to compete for a championship in acquiring LaVine and Green but not without risk in betting on the health of LaVine’s knee as his new max deal starts while taking a gamble on bringing back Ball in hopes that he returns to the floor soon.
For the Bulls, it’s the beginning of yet another rebuild, which would stack their future assets with draft picks and create two max slots heading into the 2023 offseason if Nikola Vucevic does not re-sign with the team.
If this offer comes through to the Bulls, with the bleak chances that they make a run at the playoffs, it may be too tempting to turn down.
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