Tag: 2024-25 chicago bulls

Is Zach LaVine the only player likely to be dealt from the Chicago Bulls this offseason?

Could there be other Bulls teammates who might be in new uniforms come October?

Is Zach LaVine the only player likely to be dealt from the Chicago Bulls this offseason? The veteran combo guard has seen his name in countless trade rumors all throughout the NBA’s 2023-24 season, and is by all accounts the front office’s top priority to move.

But could there be other Bulls teammates who might be in new uniforms come October? According to Bleacher Report league analyst Greg Swartz, there may well be. With the franchise clearly (and wisely) all-in on rising point guard Coby White, it is probably safe to say he is safe in all but the biggest potential trades.

“Outside of White, perhaps no player is safe in Chicago after the team finished below .500 and missed the playoffs yet again, writes Swartz.

“Nikola Vucevic could be available, and cash-strapped contenders may approach the Bulls about a sign-and-trade for free agent DeMar DeRozan,” suggests the B/R analyst.

Swartz sounds like he thinks the Bulls’ front office needs to make a major retool this offseason, and we could not possibly agree more.

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Projecting DeMar DeRozan’s future with the Chicago Bulls

It matters what the Compton native wants at this later stage of his career.

The looming free agency of veteran Chicago Bulls wing DeMar DeRozan is hard to predict, but that does not stop NBA analysts from trying. Will the University of Southern California alum return to the Bulls, or decamp to another ball club, given where Chicago is as an organization?

It matters what the Compton native wants at this later stage of his career. Does DeRozan prefer security and continuity? Does he want to chase another title? And how is the market for his services on other teams with the cap space to sign him? It does take two to tango, after all.

To try to get to the bottom of whatever it is that DeRozan may end up doing in free agency, the hosts of the “CHGO Bulls” podcast took a deep dive on his future with the team on a recent episode of their show.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say.

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Why the Chicago Bulls might be forced to extend DeMar DeRozan

Will DeRozan sign a deal for an imperfect fit that could see him dealt elsewhere soon?

The Chicago Bulls might be forced to extend veteran free agent wing DeMar DeRozan if they do not want to lose his services (and cap space) for nothing. The Bulls’ lack of proactive thinking ahead of the NBA’s 2024 trade deadline has put them in something of a precarious position in terms of what DeRozan’s contract can do for the future of the Bulls.

While the Bulls wing is clearly a win-now player that may not be the best fit for Chicago’s current partial rebuild situation, he could also be a helpful mentor and his contract a potential trade asset.

But will DeRozan sign a deal for an imperfect fit that could see him dealt elsewhere soon?

The folks behind the “Bulls Central” YouTube channel recently took a deep dive into the DeRozan conundrum on a recent episode of their show. Take a look at the clip above to hear what they had to say.

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Another trade proposal sees Zach LaVine’s future with the Los Angeles Lakers

Do they know something that we do not?

Our friends over at Bleacher Report really seem to think that the Los Angeles Lakers might be up to trade for veteran Chicago Bulls combo guard Zach LaVine. Fresh on the heels of one such proposal from B/R’s Greg Swartz, another from Andy Bailey sees another 3-for-1 trade that would land the UCLA native back in his collegiate stomping grounds.

The deal would send LaVine to Los Angeles for point guard D’Angelo Russell, forward Rui Hachimura, shooting guard Jalen Hood-Schifino and a 2030 first-round pick swap. It would be contingent on LaVine picking up his option on his current contract, which seems probable.

“If LaVine can get back to even 85-90% of what he was during his All-Star campaigns, lineups with him, (Austin) Reaves, LeBron (James) and (Anthony Davis) could be nightmarish on offense,” writes Bailey.

The attraction for the Bulls is, per the B/R analyst, mainly getting off of LaVine’s deal, but Hachimura fills a position of need on the team, and Russell and Hood-Schifino could be flipped or retained as needed.

We’d also be up for this potential swap, but would the Lakers’ front office? It likely all hinges on what they do with LeBron’s free agency.

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The Chicago Bulls keep making changes behind the scenes

Will we find ourselves in a familiar position come opening day of the 2024-25 Chicago campaign?

Fans of the Chicago Bulls who have been lighting up their favorite team’s front office for their lack of interest in making major changes to the team over the last three trade deadlines and offseasons should feel vindicated.

The Bulls’ executives have been shaken awake by the team’s poor performance, bad luck, and increasingly mutinous fans, and are starting to make changes to the team’s structure around the margins. Does this presage bigger moves, like getting off the contract of veteran combo guard Zach LaVine? Or will we find ourselves in a familiar position come opening day of the 2024-25 Chicago campaign?

The hosts of the “Locked On Bulls” podcast, Haize and Pat the Designer, took a deep dive into those recent changes, and put them in context with what the ball club needs to get better next season.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say about the Bulls’ short-term future.

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Could the Chicago Bulls trade Zach LaVine to the Los Angeles Lakers?

If such an offer were on the table for the Bulls, they ought to pounce.

Could the Chicago Bulls’ front office trade veteran combo guard Zach LaVine to the Los Angeles Lakers? According to one NBA analyst, such a move might make sense for both sides. Per Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz, a deal that would see the Lakers send forward Jarred Vanderbilt, point guard Gabe Vincent, and veteran floor general D’Angelo Russell to the Bulls for LaVine’s contract.

A healthy LaVine might make sense for L.A., if the Lake show decides to lower their aim from targets like Donovan Mitchell and Trae Young. “He’d give the Lakers another potential 25-points-per-game scorer, and they might not have to sacrifice any future first-round picks or Austin Reaves in a deal,” writes Swartz.

“A core of James, Davis, LaVine, Reaves and Rui Hachimura would be a great starting point, especially since Los Angeles would still have three first-round picks to use,” he notes, “as well as some young talent to chase an additional star.”

“Swapping LaVine for three starters/role players who all make under $20 million would give the Bulls far more flexibility moving forward, no matter what direction they choose to go in,” writes the B/R analyst.

If such an offer were on the table for the Bulls, they ought to pounce. While LaVine is an excellent player, his presence doesn’t fit the team’s arc at this point. Bringing back cheaper players who fit better would be about as good a deal as can be expected for LaVine’s substantial contract.

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Should the Chicago Bulls trade Lonzo Ball for Sacramento Kings veteran Harrison Barnes?

This deal could work well for all.

Should the Chicago Bulls trade oft-injured floor general Lonzo Ball for Sacramento Kings veteran forward Harrison Barnes? Per one NBA analyst, it would be a no-brainer. Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes believes that the Kings should roll the dice on Ball’s potential health and scoring potential in exchange for a player who won’t be part of their future anyway.

“Ball’s future is beyond uncertain,” admits Hughes. “An excellent facilitator whose vision and standstill 3-point shooting helps offenses flow, Ball is also a clever, steal-hoarding defensive weapon. Though not a born scorer like Monk or the true shutdown stopper the Kings need, Ball is still a sneaky good (but obviously high-risk) option.”

The B/R NBA analyst rightly points out that the worst case scenario here is that Ball’s current deal comes off Sacramento’s cap sheet a year earlier than Barnes’ deal would have.

So while certainly a risk for the Kings, it might even help them clear their books a bit if it “fails.”

And for Chicago, the idea is that availability is the best ability, and would replace Ball’s dead salary should he not make a return next season with someone who can contribute on the court.

We would clearly much prefer Ball to return to the Bulls’ lineup, but if there’s real concern his recovery is not on firm ground, this deal could work well for all.

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