The Chicago Bulls are in the middle of nowhere. Despite having star talent on the roster, they find themselves stuck between a perennial playoff contender and a team fighting for a top-10 pick. In the NBA, that might just be the worst possible place to be in.
Despite that, Arturas Karnisovas has no intention of rebuilding. But he should, even if that means trading one of the team’s stars for extra talent and draft capital. Sam Smith of NBA.com recently conducted a mailbag, and one Bulls fan wrote in with a DeMar DeRozan trade idea that was enough to pique his interest.
The deal would send DeRozan out west to the LA Clippers, allowing him to play in his hometown, in exchange for a few players and some much-needed draft capital.
Bulls mock trade sends DeMar DeRozan to Clippers: The trade
Here’s the full outline of the trade:
Bulls receive: Robert Covington, Marcus Morris, Amir Coffey, Pick #30 in 2023 NBA Draft, 2028 first-round pick (lottery protected)
Clippers receive: DeMar DeRozan, Andre Drummond
Bulls mock trade sends DeMar DeRozan to Clippers: Smith's take
Smith seemed to like the trade a bit, poking fun at the fan for making “a reasonable case” for the deal to be made.
“You make a reasonable case,” Smith wrote. “So how did you get my email? Drummond has that player option and says he’ll opt in; is that why? Does he know something? While I get DeRozan suggestions, I know it’s more for the uncertainty with a year left on his contract, as you note, and fondness for playing in LA. The Bulls do need some size on the front line and some depth, so there is appeal. I always liked to have a Morris around for the toughness, though he did have a rough season. But they are one year deals, so there’s not long term risk. Worth thinking about, and the Bulls do need to start building some draft capital.”
Bulls mock trade sends DeMar DeRozan to Clippers: Should the Bulls make this trade?
This deal would be a bit weird for the Bulls. It would absolutely improve their depth, but that would come at the expense of an All-Star.
The real value in this deal would be Chicago adding draft capital and clearing up some money moving forward.
If this trade were to come across the Bulls’ desk, it almost certainly wouldn’t move them enough to pull the trigger. But it’s not bad.
