There has been a lot of speculation about what the Chicago Bulls would do with their roster ahead of the trade deadline this year. Where they are hanging around in the standings will likely lead to a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament, which brings them to a crossroads.
Will they look to add to the roster and attempt to strengthen things in hopes of making a move up the standings? Or will they accept their unfortunate fate and start the retooling and rebuilding of their roster?
For now, it sounds like they will go with the former. According to Jamal Collier of ESPN, the Bulls have no plans to move Zach LaVine ahead of the trade deadline. Rumors have floated for weeks he could be a candidate to trade, but that does not look like the route the Bulls will be going.
“Team’s not playing well, so you’re always going to hear those stories,” LaVine told ESPN last week.”
You can assuredly take the Dallas Mavericks off the list of teams recently linked as monitoring a possible offseason trade given they acquired Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn Nets. Always star chasing, the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers could make compelling offers for LaVine, but the Bulls want to keep their star in place for now.
One player that could be on the move, however, is Alex Caruso. Chicago has been receiving a number of calls on him and has been listening to offers. Alas, they will need to be blown away by an offer according to Collier, as Caruso is integral to their game plan defensively.
Alex Caruso has drawn interest from other teams and Chicago has been open to listening to offers on the reserve guard, a league source told ESPN, but the Bulls would likely have to be blown away by a deal to trade perhaps their most important defensive player. Coby White is on the final season of his rookie contract and can be a restricted free agent this summer, although several members of the organization are encouraged by his improvements this season. Andre Drummond, one of the team’s free agent additions this summer, has fallen mostly out of the rotation.
Andre Drummond’s name has popped up in some trade rumors, but he likely wouldn’t bring back anything significant in a trade package. He can control the paint but his skill set is not a fit for the modern NBA.
Coby White was being shopped heavily last offseason as the sides were unable to agree to an extension. However, his improved performance this season has led to some within the organization thinking he could have a long-term future in the Windy City. He has taken full advantage of the Bulls being without some key backcourt players all season, namely Lonzo Ball.
Source: yardbarker.com
