Category: Bulls Trade Rumors

Alex Caruso is in demand as a trade target, but will the Chicago Bulls deal him?

His defensive capabilities are the primary attraction to any potential suitors, and Caruso’s offensive game is complimentary to the point of being nearly plug-and-play.

The 2024 NBA trade deadline is fast approaching, and an unexpected player has emerged as one of the most in-demand trade targets across the league: Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso. Despite not being a star player, Caruso’s elite perimeter defense and affordable $9.5 million salary have put him at the center of a bidding war among title contenders.

His defensive capabilities are the primary attraction to any potential suitors, and Caruso’s offensive game is complimentary to the point of being nearly plug-and-play, leading to speculation he could net a substantial return in any trade. The Los Angeles Lakers are one of over 10 teams linked to trading for Caruso, the former Laker whom they controversially let go last summer in favor of younger, more expensive guard Talen Horton-Tucker.

Other top suitors include the Dallas Mavericks, Milwaukee Bucks, and Sacramento Kings.

The folks behind the “Sporting Logically” YouTube channel recently put together a breakdown of the rumbles they’ve been hearing. Check it out above!

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Report: Zach LaVine would be ‘very amenable’ to Kings trade, joining forces with De’Aaron Fox

According to a recent report, Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine would be open to a trade to the Sacramento Kings to join De’Aaron Fox.

As NBA trade season gets underway, the Chicago Bulls are going to be one of the main teams to watch. Despite their recent success, they should still be looking to reset the roster, led by a Zach LaVine trade, which is reportedly at the forefront of Chicago’s plans moving forward.

Recent reports have indicated LaVine’s desire to join the Los Angeles Lakers, but new information has revealed that he may be open to joining a different California team. Sam Amick of The Athletic wrote that LaVine would also be open to the idea of joining the Sacramento Kings in a trade.

He said the information stems from LaVine’s and De’Aaron Fox both being represented by Klutch Sports.

“For all the public focus on the prospect of James and Davis teaming up with LaVine with the Lakers, the overlooked part is that Kings star De’Aaron Fox is a major priority for Klutch Sports these days as well,” Amick wrote. “Per league sources, LaVine would be very amenable to a Sacramento move that would make him Fox’s backcourt mate.”

Fox has been playing at an MVP level this season, and the Kings are looking to build on the success they had last season. Adding a guy like LaVine could help take their offense to another level and give them another go-to scorer come playoff time.

In order to match LaVine’s salary, however, the Kings would have to include at least two of Harrison Barnes, Kevin Huerter, Malik Monk, and Trey Lyles, and Chicago would almost certainly want draft capital back in return as well.

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Report: Bulls tried trading Zach LaVine for Darius Garland

According to a recent report, the Chicago Bulls tried to trade Zach LaVine to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland.

Though they’ve been winning more as of late, the Chicago Bulls are still looking to make changes this season. Recent reports indicated their desire to find a trade for Zach LaVine, noting that it’s been their main focus. LaVine is currently injured, and since he went down, the team has actually performed better.

Those two facts may not be completely related, but the point stands: Chicago is looking to move LaVine. The 28-year-old star has three more years on his current contract, including a player option in the final season worth roughly $48.9 million. The Bulls have been active in trying to deal him.

According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Bulls have been seeking a haul. They even attempted to trade him to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland.

“The Bulls are still searching for the type of haul that a multi-time All-Star typically draws, which LaVine certainly is based on résumé: an established starter, plus a young player with upside and then first-round draft capital, according to league sources,” Fischer wrote. “Chicago has also attempted swapping LaVine for other All-Star players, such as pitching Cleveland on the concept of acquiring Darius Garland from the Cavaliers, sources said.”

Garland, a 23-year-old one-time All-Star, could help give the Bulls a new-look core moving forward. That said, it seems unlikely the Cavaliers would be interested in such a deal.

In addition, it was recently reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic that Garland will undergo surgery to fix a broken jaw that occurred in the Cavaliers’ December 14 contest against the Boston Celtics. He is slated to miss several weeks of action.

As the Bulls continue to search for a trade for LaVine, their asking price has remained the same: Sky-high.

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Has Zach LaVine played his last game for the Chicago Bulls?

Despite LaVine being present on the bench and showing engagement during recent games, there’s uncertainty about his future. Will the Chicago — LaVine partnership come to an end before he returns to the court?

Has Zach LaVine played his last game for the Chicago Bulls? Currently out injured with a foot strain that could have him out of commission for a month or more of the Bulls’ 2023-24 campaign, a four-game win streak in his absence following a five-game losing streak hints at Chicago moving on from the UCLA alum at the NBA’s 2024 trade deadline.

With rumors that LaVine has eyes for the Los Angeles Lakers out there, speculation that the team might be strategically sidelining the Washington native as they explore trade opportunities without publicly declaring their intentions should no buyers step up with an acceptable offer abounds.

Despite LaVine being present on the bench and showing engagement during recent games, there’s uncertainty about his future. Will the Chicago — LaVine partnership come to an end before he returns to the court?

Check out the clip embedded above to hear what the folks behind the “Kenny For Real” YouTube channel had to say about LaVine’s future with the Bulls.

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Report: Zach LaVine wants to join Lakers amid Bulls trade rumors

According to a recent report, Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine would like to join the Los Angeles Lakers.

As the Chicago Bulls continue to figure things out on the fly, a recent hot stretch could change their way of thinking in regard to the trade market. Recent reports have indicated that the Bulls are looking to add win-now pieces and draft capital at the deadline, but how much has their ceiling truly changed?

Since Zach LaVine got injured, the Bulls have been performing well, but in the grand scheme of things, they still project to be a low-tier Play-In team at best. Because of that, they should still be aiming to reset the roster, and rumblings have indicated that the front office is focused on finding a deal for LaVine.

And now, LaVine’s desires are clear, too. According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Bulls star wants to join the Los Angeles Lakers in a potential trade.

“The Bulls have been linked to the Lakers and Raptors in the rumor mill, but multiple sources said LaVine and his representation obviously want Los Angeles because of the Klutch Sports connection,” Cowley wrote.

The Lakers have long been connected to LaVine as they hunt for extra firepower to pair next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and reports have indicated the Bulls’ fondness for Austin Reaves.

That said, Cowley noted that a deal involving D’Angelo Russell as the centerpiece seems most likely.

“Of that group, a package featuring Russell has been thrown around the most in the rumor mill because of the money that has to come back,” Cowley wrote. “With LaVine making $40 million this season, Russell meets $17.3 million of it.”

The NBA trade deadline is on February 8, and it’s looking more and more likely that LaVine is not a Bull by the time it rolls around.

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Mock trade sees Bulls land Chris Paul in 3-player deal with Warriors

In this mock trade, the Chicago Bulls would land Chris Paul and draft capital in a deal with the Golden State Warriors.

The Chicago Bulls seem primed to rebuild the roster this summer. Or, at the very least, change things up mid-season. Recent rumblings have indicated that they are focused on finding a deal for Zach LaVine, which would be a good first step. However, even though the Bulls have been playing well lately, a roster reset should still be in the cards.

If the Bulls do decide to make a move, adding draft capital should be one of their top priorities. Having picks to help build around Coby White and Patrick Williams should be one of their top priorities moving forward.

Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report recently suggested a trade with the Golden State Warriors that would see the Bulls add two future first-rounders.

Here’s the full outline of the proposed trade:

Bulls receive: Chris Paul, 2026 first-round pick, 2028 first-round pick

Warriors receive: Nikola Vucevic, Alex Caruso

Bailey believes the deal would help Chicago build out their draft cabinet while also adding some financial flexibility.

“For Chicago, this is obviously mostly about the picks,” Bailey wrote. “It needs a reboot about as badly as any team in the league, and picks are critical at the opening stages of a reboot.

“CP3’s contract would also add some flexibility. His $30 million salary for 2024-25 is completely non-guaranteed, making him essentially an expiring contract.”

In addition, Paul would be a nice mentor for White heading into the future.

For the Warriors, this deal would help them beef up their roster for a title run, as Caruso’s 3-and-D presence and Vucevic’s added scoring would help Stephen Curry and company compete.

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5 Players Bulls should target in a Zach LaVine trade this season

If and when the Chicago Bulls trade Zach LaVine, here are five players they should be targeting.

Ever since Zach LaVine went down with an injury, the Chicago Bulls have been playing better. Does this mean LaVine was the only problem? No. Does this mean the Bulls should push forward rather than rebuild? No. But it does mean that the front office has some hope, which could be a dangerous thing.

Despite their recent success, the clearest path forward for Chicago is still a rebuild, and that all starts with trading LaVine, something the Bulls are reportedly focused on. By trading LaVine, the Bulls would be well on their way to a fresh start, which is something this franchise has desperately needed for the past two seasons.

But the question is, what should the Bulls be looking to get back in a LaVine trade?

The 28-year-old star makes a ton of money, as he still has three years on his deal after this one (including a player option in the final season). The last year of his contract tops out at roughly $48.9 million.

In order for a team to be willing to trade for LaVine, they need to be comfortable that he would be a part of their long-term future. Otherwise, the risk wouldn’t outweigh the potential reward.

Because of that, there are a limited number of teams who could show interest in LaVine, and that needs to be taken into account when looking at who the Bulls should potentially target in a trade.

With all that in mind, let’s take a look at five players the Bulls should have their eyes on as they seek out a trade for LaVine this season.

Report: Bulls trade plans revolve around adding win-now players, not rebuilding

Despite their relatively low ceiling, the Chicago Bulls are reportedly interested in trading for win-now pieces.

The Chicago Bulls started off the season on a rough note. Through the first 19 games of the season, they were just 5-14, and then, the trade rumors started to kick off. Zach LaVine’s name has been the most common one to be brought up, and reports indicated that Chicago was focused on finding a deal for him.

And while that may still be the case, things have turned around a bit for the Bulls. They are 4-1 in their last five games (all with LaVine out), and it seems as though there is some hope in Chicago. However, this hope could end up being counterproductive.

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Bulls are focused on trading for win-now pieces.