The Bulls came into the year with lofty goals of reaching the postseason for the first time in three seasons. With a healthy Lonzo Ball and the newly acquired Josh Giddey running the point, it was the first time since 2021 that the team has had a facilitator at the helm. Chicago shipped off DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso last summer, signifying they were more likely headed toward retaining their top-ten protected draft pick than playoff contention. 46 games in, they stand 19-27 and are 2-8 over their last ten meetings. It would seem that Arturas Karnisovas and his front office team have used the team's lackluster recent performances to definitively choose a direction before the looming February 6th trade deadline. Per Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Bulls have made it known that their list of tradeable pieces just got a lot more extensive. Who's on the block, and how much does Chicago expect in return?
Everyone Is Fair Game Except Matas Buzelis
A firesale feels like it's looming in the Windy City. After dangling Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic for the better portion of the last two seasons, the last month has seen confirmed reports of Lonzo Ball, Patrick Williams, Coby White, and Torrey Craig each added to the list of pieces Chicago is willing to move. This morning, Cowley reported that the Bulls have officially opened the doors for their entire roster, minus rookie Matas Buzelis, to be traded away at the right price. From the minimal updates of rejected offers around the league for Vucevic and LaVine, they're driving a hard bargain that could result in little to no action leading up to the cutoff.
Matas Buzelis is the only player the Bulls would not be open to trading, per @JCowleyHoops (https://t.co/m2leD4JJNb).
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) January 27, 2025
Chicago finally appears ready to embrace beginning a full-scale rebuild. pic.twitter.com/cWXDUzjRl7
Taking Buzelis off the board was an obvious move for a tentative front office that has yet to complete a beneficial trade while with the Bulls. Surprisingly, White, Ayo Dosunmu, Julian Phillips, or Josh Giddey aren't also considered "off the table," but at the correct price tag, they're each replaceable in a complete rebuild phase.
Realistic Trade Deadline Outcome
Using all of the evidence to this point in Chicago trade circles, it's far-fetched to see more than a few players moved in the next ten days. They won't move on from Vucevic at the current going rate of a second-round draft pick, nor will they trade Ball for that return. LaVine's lone remaining chance at being dealt is the slowly building Jimmy Butler and Bradley Beal blockbuster, which could result in LaVine headed to Milwaukee, Miami, or a different facilitating franchise. Craig, Phillips, or Dosunmu might be moved for future draft stock, but White or Giddey would need too much return for opposing clubs to entertain.
The Bulls want a first-round pick for Nikola Vucevic, but the Warriors are only willing to surrender second-round picks, per @TheSteinLine
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 27, 2025
“The Bulls continue to seek a first-round pick in exchange for former All-Star center Nikola Vučević, league sources say. The Warriors have… pic.twitter.com/f9ZuzGwIrA
Don't be surprised if, once again, for a fourth consecutive trade deadline, Karnisovas dabbles in a flurry of trade rumors but executes none. He hasn't pulled the trigger on a deal at the cutoff since his disastrous 2020 decision to bring in Vucevic from the Orlando Magic, a move that has hindered the franchise ever since.
