No Christmas Day game for Bulls but still plenty of trade rumor buzz
It felt like a very familiar Christmas Day for the Bulls.
Too irrelevant to be scheduled to play on the NBA’s showcase holiday, but front and center in the trade rumor mill.
As always with the Bulls’ front office, the question is will they pull the trigger if the right deal presents itself?
The offseason trade with Oklahoma City that sent Alex Caruso to the Thunder for Josh Giddey was significant simply from the standpoint of it was the first real trade executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas made since way back in 2021 when they shipped Lauri Markkanen out.
Karnisovas also made it very clear during late October’s media day – the last time he formally spoke to the media – that this current roster build was a work in progress.
The work then seemingly halted for the time being.
Good news: There’s at least orange work barrels being put back out and some whispers of activity. Considering the trade deadline is Feb. 6, and the Bulls have been looking to move assets sooner than later, the next month could get very interesting.
The tricky part will be deciphering what’s true and what’s false? What’s fact and what’s fiction? Never a black and white answer when it comes to the Bulls.
Zach LaVine – There’s no secret that LaVine has been the top trade piece the Bulls have been looking to move, and it’s really been that way for over two seasons.
The original plan last year was to move him so that they had the money to re-sign veteran DeMar DeRozan, but when LaVine opted for season-ending surgery on his foot the writing was on the wall that it would be DeRozan that would have to go.
So here the Bulls currently stand with LaVine playing some of his best basketball in years, and more impressively, stepping up in the leadership and teammate department. He’s been a joy for them to watch on the court, and a joy to be around off of it.
That doesn’t mean they are looking to keep him around, however.
There have been whispers about the Lakers for over a year now, but a source said that the pieces that would have to be swapped don’t fit, and Los Angeles remains steadfast that Austin Reaves isn’t going to be included.
The Sun-Times reported that the Denver rumor did have “light momentum” as of last week, but that’s as far as it’s gotten. Both teams have sent out feelers on early talks of what a deal would look like, but it has not progressed.
That’s about the extent of the market right now, but a major injury could always change things in a hurry.
LaVine Rumors: Fact
Nikola Vucevic – Like LaVine, the Bulls are looking to trade a multi-year contract, looking to get draft picks and an expiring deal in return.
There are numerous fits for Vucevic with his salary ($20 million this season and $21 million next year), but still nothing more than feelers going out.
There was one report that said the Bulls were looking for a first-round pick in the 2025 draft in the package for Vucevic, but a source recently said that’s not necessarily the case. Very few teams – even playoff caliber – are hanging first-round picks out there for ’25, so multiple second rounders are more likely going to be included.
Vucevic Rumors: More fiction than fact right now
Lonzo Ball – The Bulls would love to get the key reserve showing he can stay healthy long term, especially since he’s missed 18 games already, but until they can do that Ball trade rumors are more speculation than anything.
A solid next few weeks from Ball could start generating some interest, especially because he is working on an expiring contract, and all the Bulls would be looking to do is swap an expiring contract as well as grabbing a few possible second rounders in the deal.
Ball Rumors: Fiction for now