While the most hype surrounds Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic in Chicago, neither will be the first asset to be traded away for Arturas Karnisovas. The best chance at a trade happening for the Bulls is to see a high-floor, surefire contributor go to a contending roster for a reasonable price. Karnisovas has shown that his value of Chicago's assets is much steeper than their perceived worth on the market, which will ultimately prevent more trades from happening over the next week, as it has kept the Bulls from doing a flurry of transactions throughout his tenure with the franchise. There's one name flying under the radar that a handful of playoff clubs are bidding for, and the Bulls' alleged price tag is highly reasonable due to his specific circumstances. Who is the first to depart from Chicago, and what's the expected return for his services?
Lonzo Ball Will Be Shipped To The Highest Bidder
The former UCLA Bruin second overall draft pick in 2017 is far and away the easiest Chicago Bull to trade away. His value is agreeable; he is a facilitating guard who plays above-average defense, has a consistent three-point shot, and can plug and play in several different systems and schemes. The Bulls would be wise to trade him because he's on a contract that expires this summer and will indeed be headed elsewhere in unrestricted free agency in a few months, regardless. Since they're out of the playoff hunt and don't have much future draft capital stockpiled, this is a done deal.
The Clippers, Heat, Hornets, Lakers, Magic, Pistons, and Timberwolves have all held exploratory trade talks with the Bulls centered on Lonzo Ball.
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) January 28, 2025
Chicago would be open to moving Ball’s $21.3 million expiring contract in exchange for second-round draft capital. pic.twitter.com/tTuZrOHEYV
Ball is relatively cheap, has a dependable value to any franchise, and would consider resigning a long-term deal with whoever brings him in for the final postseason push. Will Karnisovas strike while the iron is hot?
Might Be The Only Bull Traded
With Bradley Beal's recent remarks confirming he would not waive his no-trade clause to join the Bulls in a Jimmy Butler blockbuster, Chicago's chances of shipping LaVine off took a serious hit. The front office overvalues Vucevic, LaVine, Patrick Williams, and Coby White, which will result in them remaining with the organization past the trade cutoff despite several reasons for trading them away. In Vucevic and LaVine's case, they're currently aging former All-Stars and are among the most coveted on the trade market. They aren't contributing to Chicago qualifying for the postseason and are consuming large chunks of the salary cap. In Williams's case, the lack of development through five NBA seasons is undeniable, and his long-term contract should be moved at nearly any cost. No different than the prior four trade deadlines, much of the trade smoke will be a cloud of dust once the deadline has passed, extending Chicago's streak of playoff absences to three seasons while retaining their oldest and most expensive contracts.
The Chicago Bulls haven't made an in-season trade since March 25, 2021. Yes, you read that right.
— Elias Schuster (@Schuster_Elias) January 16, 2025
Sitting out a fourth straight deadline – particularly with a pick on the line – would be organizational malpractice.
READ 👇https://t.co/iFkheNJ1P5
Does Karnisovas have to act to keep his job, or does he remain silent for his entire tenure with the Bulls? A quiet trade deadline from Chicago would create the most significant fanbase uproar in the last five years of stagnant movement from the current front office.
