The Chicago Bulls are put in a situation to either commit to trading for another superstar or tanking altogether, as Bill Simmons has suggested. The Bulls are uniquely positioned with their healthy mix of great veterans and promising young players to go along with valuable draft assets. It’s likely Joe Tsai, the Nets’ owner, would like a competitive team for his fanbase, along with young stars with an arsenal of draft assets in return for Kevin Durant.
“DURANT IS JUST STARTING HIS LAST BEST FOUR YEARS OF HIS CAREER WITH A NEW CONTRACT. IF HE’S THERE AND I’M THE BULLS, I’M ALL IN UNLESS THEY BELIEVE THEY HAVE A TITLE TEAM NOW. THE BULLS AREN’T LOADED WITH DRAFT PICKS FROM THE VUCEVIC TRADE, BUT THEY HAVE SOME; AND TEAMS SEEM TO LIKE FUTURE PICKS. THE BULLS ALSO HAVE YOUNG PLAYERS WHO WERE TOP DRAFT PICKS. WITH DRUMMOND AND DRAGIC, THE BULLS HAVE SHOWN A GOOD ABILITY TO FILL OUT A TEAM. I’D BE ALL IN FOR DURANT IF I HAD A CHANCE.” Sam Smith
Three Unbeatable Trade Packages the Nets Can’t Refuse
Bulls Trade Package #1: DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, Ayo Dosunmu, Patrick Williams, Top 3 protected 1st round picks 2024, 2026, 2028
Bulls Trade Package #2: Lonzo Ball, Patrick Williams, Alex Caruso, Nikola Vucevic, Unprotected 1st round picks 2024, 2026, 2028
Bulls Trade Package #3: Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan, Ayo Dosunmu, Patrick Williams, Top 3 Protected 1st round picks 2024, 2026, 2028
All three scenarios have two things in common: the Bulls are risking a lot of draft capital but they’re keeping Zach LaVine as insurance if the team spirals out of control. In the best-case scenario, the Bulls bring in a Top 3 player to make a run to the Finals with the remaining pieces on the team. In the worst-case scenario, the team completely fails, similar to what the Brooklyn Nets just did, but they’re able to rebuild around a young Zach Lavine.
Should the Chicago Bulls Pull The Trigger?
The risk/reward makes this an absolute no-brainer. The question marks surrounding Patrick Williams’ growth and Lonzo Ball’s health to go along with Nikola Vucevic’s next contract make them all expendable. Flipping Kevin Durant for DeMar DeRozan is also an absolute no-brainer, especially with DeRozan’s contract coming to an end next season, which will put the Bulls in a challenging position to offer him big money once again at the age of 34.
It comes down to the draft picks, arguably the most valuable assets in the NBA. This is where the significant risk is involved. In today’s market, a player of Kevin Durant’s caliber will require at minimum three first-round picks in return. If that’s the going rate for a Top 3 player, that’s the price the Bulls must pay. Either be stuck in mediocrity with DeMar DeRozan or make a Finals trip with Kevin Durant. It seems like there’s only one right choice in this scenario.
