Three Trades The Bulls Must Offer To Exit NBA Purgatory

If there's one thing we've learned this offseason, the market has crushed Zach LaVine's value. Last year, the Jazz acquired more than double-digit picks for Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell combined. This summer, we've seen Jordan Poole and John Collins have been traded away for a package that may reflect them more as a liability than an asset. The Warriors had to attach multiple picks to move off Poole's contract. Meanwhile, the Hawks only received Rudy Gay and a second-round pick. The Bulls are a victim of the new CBA rule, which puts their rebuilding plans on hold for now.

If Jerry Reinsdorf is genuinely willing to go into the luxury tax for a top-four team in the east, as Arturas Karnisovas claims, the Bulls could find great value for these fringe stars like a John Collins caliber player for pennies on the dollar.

With Lonzo Ball's career in jeopardy, the Bulls couldn't make the playoffs without having a true point guard to distribute the ball between Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic. With the Bulls admitting Lonzo Ball will not be back next season either, it's safe to assume they'll be targeting a difference-making player this summer.

Alex Caruso To The Warriors

Bulls Trade: Alex Caruso

Warriors Trade: Jonathan Kuminga & Moses Moody

If the Warriors decide to bring back Draymond Green, they're committing to one last championship run and must exhaust all their assets to make that happen. The Warriors started making significant moves by trading Jordan Poole away for Chris Paul. Neither Jonathan Kuminga nor Moses Moody made an impact in the playoffs last season. The Warriors are better off sending them out for a player who can contribute immediately without taking anything away from Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson.

The Bulls could do what Arturas Karnisovas hasn't been able to do after trading away Nikola Vucevic, which is rebuilding the team with young talent. Jonathan Kuminga is an x-factor. He's a freak athlete with superstar potential. Again, the word potential is crucial. There's a reason why Steve Kerr didn't play him in the playoffs much. He's still raw. If the Bulls could bring him in and develop him, which is a long shot given their history of player development, they could find themselves with a star on their hands. While having Caruso is excellent for the Bulls, he doesn't move the needle much for an average team. His talents are better suited to a good team.

Pascal Siakam To The Bulls

Bulls Trade: Patrick Williams (Sign-and-trade), Ayo Dosunmu (Sign-and-trade), Lonzo Ball, 2024 Portland Pick, 2027 Bulls first-round pick

Raptors Trade: Pascal Siakam

This one is slightly more complex due to the two sign-and-trades from the Bulls' side. However, if the Raptors are willing to take the only good young assets the Bulls have to offer, which seems like they would, this trade could be completed.

It may look like the Bulls are giving up a lot, but they are not. Besides the two young players, the only valuable piece is the 2027 first-round pick. Thanks to the Blazers likely headed toward a complete rebuild, the 2024 Portland pick the Bulls received via the Lauri Markkanen trade is worth next to nothing, as it'll end up being a second-round pick. Given the recent market, the going rate of big contract stars has gone down a lot. Pascal Siakam for two players, and one first-round pick is doable.

Zion Williamson to the Bulls

Bulls Trade: Zach LaVine

Pelicans Trade: Zion Williamson

The Pelicans were rumored to trade Zion Williamson on draft night, possibly. Although he's had an issue with his injuries and weight, he's still a phenomenal NBA talent when he's healthy.

The Pelicans can capitalize on their talent with healthy Zach LaVine, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum. They could make a strong playoff push without worrying about Zion Williamson's health.

The Bulls could roll the dice to take them out of the NBA purgatory in either direction. A healthy Zion Williamson means the Bulls could make a deep playoff run. An unhealthy Zion Williamson means the Bulls, who own their 2024 first-round pick, could make a lot of noise in the NBA lottery.