Brian Windhorst Says To "Keep An Eye On" Bulls' Superstar In Trade Talks

The swirling of trade rumors has come earlier than usual for the Chicago Bulls, before the first regular season game in 2023. ESPN's senior writer Brian Windhorst has named one Chicago Bull as an active name in the trading market and, with his looming free agency, tagged him as a very plausible trade candidate as the season progresses. The Bulls are coming off a sub .500 finish a season ago where they missed the postseason entirely, have just inked Zach LaVine in 2022 and Nikola Vucevic in 2023 to contract extensions, and are staring down the barrel of a similar result with only two minimal free agency adds and a second-round rookie to an otherwise identical roster. Who has Windhorst pinned as the player to look for in trade talks, and how realistic is it that he's shipped off during the season?

DeMar's Possible Departure

A fan favorite since his arrival, DeMar DeRozan has been nothing short of miraculous in Chicago. With two All-Star nods, one All-NBA selection, the two-time leader in fourth quarter scoring leaguewide, the Bulls' scoring leader in 2021 and assist leader in both years, his free agency signing has been the steal of the decade by Arturas Karnisovas. Entering his age-34 season, DeRozan's services may be coming to an end in the Windy City. This season will undoubtedly be the last attempt at Chicago's big three of LaVine, DeRozan, and Vucevic. This trio has only won a single playoff game in their lone appearance beyond regular season play, and this would mark three times in four years that Vucevic and LaVine have failed to clinch a playoff berth.

Picking A Direction As A Franchise

As Windhorst eludes to, the trading of DeRozan would be at the failure of extending him and would be a last-ditch effort to gain capital before his free agency departure. He's certainly earned a lucrative deal beyond this season, but with his age and the lack of success as a team, it doesn't make much sense for Chicago to execute that large of a contract. With Patrick Williams headed into free agency as well, the Bulls will likely need to decide between their 23-year-old wingman and the 34-year-old 6-time All-Star. Gaining draft capital or young talent in exchange for DeRozan would propel him to contention and begin a soft-rebuild for Chicago.

As much as losing 26 points and five assists per game would hurt the Bulls, if they're not in prime playoff position or in danger of missing the postseason, look for DeRozan to be the first of a few to be sent elsewhere. A deal similar to Kyrie Irving to Dallas a season ago or Kevin Durant to Phoenix on a lesser scale would be expected for DeRozan's instantly impactful services. In a newly re-tooled Eastern Conference, look for bubble teams such as Miami or Philadelphia to inquire about the veteran wing to match the powerhouses of Milwaukee and Boston.

Should Chicago be willing to part ways with their best player over the past two seasons, and should more pieces follow suit on the trading block? How far into a rebuild does a DeRozan trade send the Bulls, and what sort of return can be expected if he's dealt?