The Chicago Bulls are stuck in an endless cycle of mediocrity and unrealistic hopes. They cannot boost their championship equity to the status of contender, but the Bulls cannot secure a bottom five record either. However, the ice is finally starting to thaw, as rumblings of a rebuild have resonated throughout the NBA world. If Chicago does decide to light the match, then which players will be available for poaching? 

Trade Pieces & Landing Spots

The categories are broken down into four sections. Playoff Starters are players that would start for the acquiring team during the postseason and/or provide a decent boost in championship equity. Playoff Role Players would consistently come off the bench even during a deep run and yield a quality fifteen minutes per game. Playoff Depth describes players that provide a defined skill set favorable in certain matchups. They may see five to ten minutes here and there while also contributing injury insurance for a team’s bench. Finally, Regular Season Depth features role players that can soak up bench minutes during the regular season but are too exploitable to see playoff minutes.

Playoff Starter

Zach LaVine: The defensive concerns are legitimate, and it may be difficult for him to accept a lesser offensive role where he’s the third option. However, the man can flat out score the basketball. Across the previous three seasons, LaVine averaged 25.4 points and 4.5 assists on excellent 48/39/85 shooting splits. Whether it’s creating off the dribble or operating as a dangerous catch-and-shoot weapon, LaVine brings versatility and scoring juice to an offense. Because he is 6’5” tall and a monster athlete, LaVine can seamlessly switch across numerous positions and roles too. 

His numbers are down this season, but Chicago’s cataclysmic environment is hardly fostering quality basketball. Look for LaVine to immediately return to his old form once traded, especially if the acquiring team lacks perimeter ball handlers. 

The Miami Heat and New York Knicks both feature sturdy defenses that could somewhat hide LaVine, and they need more self-created scoring too. The Los Angeles Lakers are another team linked to LaVine based on overall fit. It’s worth noting that the veteran is due roughly $138M over the next three seasons. He’s a fringe All-Star being paid fringe All-NBA money, which definitely lowers his trade price. 

DeMar DeRozan: His midrange-dominant style may soon be obsolete, but DeRozan still packs an offensive punch. The former All-Star is currently averaging 21.9 points and 4.8 assists on respectable 45/37/81 shooting splits. DeRozan is quietly taking 2.6 three-point attempts per game, which is a mark he’s only topped once before in his illustrious career. Given the fact that he will likely be accepting a lesser on-ball role, it’s imperative that DeRozan embraces this increased three-point volume. 

Like LaVine, DeRozan possesses defensive concerns against postseason competition. However, his offensive malleability is an issue that LaVine’s game does not present, which limits DeRozan’s market. Teams can quickly move on should the experiment prove disastrous though, as he’s on an expiring contract. Overall, his pros outweigh his cons, especially if his skill set is optimized. 

Alex Caruso: LaVine and DeRozan are the bigger names, but most franchises would probably select Alex Caruso over them to add to their rosters. Few defenders hold down the point-of-attack like Caruso, but he’s also an elite off-ball chaser that flawlessly navigates screens. Caruso earned All-Defensive First Team honors last season, and it’s likely that he will replicate this feat. Perimeter defense is extremely valuable during the playoffs, and Caruso certainty obliges. 

Meanwhile, he’s flirting with a 50 3PT% on 3.5 attempts per game. It’s obviously an unsustainable mark, but Caruso’s capable outside shot and connective passing means he won’t be an offensive liability – a necessity for elite defenders during the playoffs. Factor in his cheap contract (roughly $9M this and next season), and every contender will send Chicago an offer. 

Minnesota and Miami would be fascinating landing spots for him. With Caruso, each team would roster three players at an All-Defensive level: Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert for Minnesota, and Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo for Miami. That’s an excellent recipe for playoff success. On the other hand, a franchise like Milwaukee desperately needs his services to hopefully become an average to above average defense. Overall, it will be a gory fight to acquire Caruso should the Bulls dangle him in trade talks. 

Playoff Role Player

Nikola Vucevic: Orlando Vucevic would have breached the tier above, but Father Time has dropped the 33-year-old veteran down a level. His lateral mobility is completely gone, he doesn’t protect the rim at a high level, and his outside shot is regressing. These deficiencies block him from being a starting center on a contender; however, Vucevic can still make an impact off the bench during a playoff setting. 

He’s a quality rebounder with playmaking chops and solid touch around the basket. Whether it’s in the pick-and-roll or posting up, Vucevic injects a burst of scoring into the lineup. He’s essentially overqualified offensively as a backup center, but his defense holds him back from starting. 

Most teams would be thrilled to have Vucevic in the second unit, but his ugly contract is an issue. Over the next two seasons, Vucevic is owed roughly $41M. It’s not a monstrous amount, but the money is certainly too much for a backup center. Of Chicago’s veterans, Vucevic is the least likely to be dealt because of his contract and exploitable defense. 

As for potential landing spots, Oklahoma City would be intriguing. They can utilize the Davis Bertans contract to form the bulk of salary matching, and their numerous rookie contracts allow them to absorb Vucevic’s salary. The Thunder desperately need size and rebounding without compromising spacing, and Vucevic fits the bill. Dallas is another option here; they have the salaries to match, and he gives them a different archetype than Dereck Lively II.

Playoff Depth

Jevon Carter: He remains a reliable on-ball guard defender that can apply pressure, and his hands are active. Carter also has experience running the pick-and-roll for spurts, and he owns a 40.5 3PT% across the past four seasons. 

However, Carter’s 6’1” frame means bigger wings can hunt him for the mismatch, while motion shooters often lose him on screens. Carter also struggles to finish around the basket, and his pull-up jumper is a touch inconsistent. He will be valuable in certain matchups, but Carter’s disadvantages push him down to playoff depth instead of cracking the top eight of the rotation. 

A reunion with Milwaukee is logical, as they currently crave perimeter defenders. The same could be said of Dallas too. 

Torrey Craig: The 32-year-old fills the classic 3&D mold in terms of provided value, although not at a consistently high level. His defense is solid but unspectacular, which also describes his three-point efficiency. Essentially, Craig can be a useful wing in a pinch because he won’t compromise spacing or defensive integrity. 

He may also get hot from deep in a series, as evidenced by Phoenix’s run last year. In their first round matchup against the Clippers, Craig averaged 12.4 points on impossible 64/55/88 shooting splits. Craig subsequently disappeared versus Denver, but he is a role player for a reason. 

Overall, contenders would be trading for a low-cost veteran that will be useful in a limited role. His cap hit is only about $2.5M this year before it jumps to $2.8M next year (player option), which is basically nothing. 

The Nuggets need a veteran off the bench that fits with Nikola Jokic’s play style, so Craig would be a boon for them. 

Regular Season Depth

Andre Drummond: From 2014 to 2021, Drummond averaged 15.2 points, 14.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. At this stage of his career though, Drummond is a big body that controls the glass and mostly scores via put-backs. He’s not a viable option during the playoffs, but it’s always handy to roster a backup center that brings size and rebounding. 

Plus, while he cannot log numerous postseason minutes, there are scenarios where his skills are helpful. Teams could substitute him into the game if they need a key rebound on free throw attempts. Oklahoma City is a team that benefits from a Drummond trade because of their undersized bench centers. 

In summation, Chicago possesses plenty of pieces that will interest contenders. It still remains to be seen though whether they have the guts and wisdom to finally tear down the roster.