The early-season buzz around the Chicago Bulls has been … promising. In past years, the league has been left in the dark about the organization’s trade deadline plans. While many believed the front office should take any and all calls, they turned their phones on silent and blared mediocrity.
It wasn’t until this offseason that they finally showed a willingness to try something new. Moving on from DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso suggested they may be ready to embrace a youth movement and think long-term. However, moves must continue if they want to prove this was nothing more than a false alarm. And, fortunately, it sounds like that is the plan!
NBA Insider Jake Fischer shared plenty of Bulls news on Friday morning. Writing for The Stein Line on substack, Fischer stressed that Chicago has let opposing teams know they will be open for business during the next couple of months.
“No surprise, then, that Bulls executives, according to league sources, have been messaging to rival front offices that they are willing to discuss the majority of their roster in trade talks leading up to the Feb. 6 trade deadline,” Fischer wrote. “Most notably, sources say, Chicago has expressed a desire to move Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic and Lonzo Ball โ who collectively command nearly $85 million in salary this season.
Fischer’s report led K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network to reiterate that trade talk has been expected inside the organization for a while. While this definitely feels true, this doesn’t necessarily make Fischer’s lengthy report any less significant. We’ve seen the Bulls ignore what has needed to be done for years, so the more we’re reminded of their trade desires, the more likely we are to actually see meaningful change.
The Chicago Bulls Are Ready to Do Business
I’d be lying if I said I have not been slightly concerned about the Bulls changing their mind about Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. The two have started the season playing some of the best basketball of their careers and acting like true professionals. It’s not hard to imagine this front office talking themselves into a win-now future with either player. *shivers*
Nonetheless, it sounds like Artuars Karnisovas is ready to wisely use this hot start as leverage on the trade market. And he also doesn’t want to stop there! Easily the most important part of Fischer’s report is that he shared that the Bulls are “willing to discuss the majority of their roster in trade talks.”
Now, does this mean I expect the Bulls to go on and trade players not named LaVine or Vucevic? Not necessarily. But there is no denying this is the proper mindset for the front office to take. When we consider their lack of direction and need for high-upside young talent, anything and everything should be on the table for Chicago.
This may even include listening to inquiries about players like Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu. As we’ve discussed in the past, both players will be up for extension talks soon and are vastly outplaying their current deals. Can they afford to commit to both long-term? If not, is it time to sell high?
What about Patrick Williams? While the forward has continued to underwhelm, he is still only 23 years old with a highly intriguing 3-and-D skillset. Could someone talk themselves into his upside? For what it’s worth, Fischer also reported earlier this month that the Bulls are “open-minded” to moving on from Williams. He did clarify in The Stein Line, however, that few front offices have expressed interest thus far.
Nevertheless, what matters right now isn’t which teams are interested nor how many teams are interested. All that we need to hear is that the Bulls have a clear desire to work the trade market and continue to overhaul this roster. That’s exactly what we’re getting.
Let’s hope they don’t screw it up!