While it may not be a particularly exciting update, Chicago Bulls fans will take anything they can get with the trade deadline quickly approaching.
ESPN’s Shams Charania gave a wide-ranging update on the state of the trade market this week. The NBA insider didn’t connect any specific teams to the Bulls’ top talent, but he did share that the front office has received interest in their Top 2 trade chips.
Sources said the Bulls have been receiving calls from teams on two key players: Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic.
Rival executives have applauded a rejuvenated season from LaVine, who, in his 11th season, is shooting a career-high overall (51.4%) and on 3s (45%) while averaging 24 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists. LaVine has impressed the Bulls with his professionalism and leadership, a year after both sides scanned the market for trade opportunities.
You can read Shams Charania’s complete rumor-filled post on ESPN.
At Least the Bulls’ Phone is Ringing …
Again, this may not be the juiciest report, but at least it doesn’t splash any cold water on the organization’s trade hopes. We have heard in recent weeks that the front office plans to be “sellers” at the deadline, with everyone from Nikola Vucevic to Patrick Williams on the table.
Whether they will actually pull the plug โ rightfully โ remains a concern. After three straight quiet deadlines, we can only believe Arturas Karnisovas is ready to accept defeat when we see it. Having said that, these reports continue to trend in the right direction, as it’s encouraging to hear the Bulls have started to receive calls on both of their All-Stars.
Would it be better if specific trade suitors were mentioned? Of course. But this at least tells us that a dialogue is being had with multiple teams. Likewise, Charania goes to tout the on-court success of both LaVine and Vucevic this season. He even states that LaVine’s highly-efficient season and off-court professionalism have made an impression on rival executives. That should be good news for a Bulls team desperate for any kind of leverage.
Nonetheless, there is still no telling what kind of phone calls the Bulls are receiving. They haven’t made any friends after years of inactivity and overvaluing their assets. If I had to guess, Karnisovas is receiving his fair share of lowball offers, which isn’t leading to much back-and-forth. Everyone needs to start somewhere, however, and the Bulls sound like they are at least getting a feel for who is interested as the Feb. 6 creeps closer.
It will now be up to them to seal the deal. I know, yikes! If they want to finally move in a new direction, now is the time to ensure that one of these phone calls ends with a verbal agreement. They have to understand that they do not possess the leverage they once had. One way for them to potentially improve this, however, is to finally get a deal done and show teams they are ready to have discussions in earnest.
In other words, they can’t trick themselves into believing they hold all the cards simply because they are getting calls. They need teams even more than teams need them.