The Bulls Can't Reject This Trade From The Warriors And Lakers

The Bulls are stuck in NBA purgatory. They're not good enough to make a deep playoff run or bad enough to rebuild their team through the NBA draft. They are in the worst position possible by having overpaid old stars on their rosters who aren't able to make the playoffs. In a league where the value of stars changes daily, the Bulls must capitalize on the pieces they have today to help reshape the franchise's future.

Three-Way Trade Idea Between The Warriors And Lakers

The Bulls Receive: D'Angelo Russell (Sign-and-trade), Jonathan Kuminga, Austin Reaves, Mo Bamba, Moses Moody, Warriors 2025 first-round pick, Lakers 2029 First-Round Pick.

The Warriors Receive: Alex Caruso

The Lakers Receive: Zach LaVine

The Bulls can trade Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso away for a few young pieces and draft picks. Given the market today, where Jordan Poole's contract is only tradable as long as draft picks are sent along with him, it's realistic to assume LaVine won't command much with the new CBA rules.

The Bulls receive D'Angelo Russell in a sign-and-trade which they can then flip later in the future, similar to what the Warriors did to him. He can now play the Zach LaVine role for the Bulls next to DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic, which wouldn't move the needle in either direction. The actual pieces the Bulls want from this deal are Jonathan Kuminga, Austin Reeves, and the 2029 Lakers pick. That is a massive haul for LaVine. The rest of the pieces are the haul for Alex Caruso.

For the Lakers, they lose their youth but replace it with a sure thing. Zach LaVine would take a lot of pressure off LeBron James. He'll do what Anthony Davis can't do: take shots. LaVine loves to score. That's about it. The Lakers could live with giving up Austin Reaves and a future first-round pick if it means they have a shot at beating the Denver Nuggets.

The Warriors acquired Alex Caruso for two players they refused to use in the playoffs. By adding Chris Paul and likely signing Draymond Green, the Warriors' window of winning is closing fast, and they intend to capitalize on the time they have left. Adding Caruso moves the needle for them. Having Kuminga and Moody warm the bench does not.