The Chicago Bulls are exceeding most expectations. Their offseason signings of DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso, and others are certainly paying off. It’s safe to the Bulls are legitimate contenders. With that being said, there are areas of the roster that can be addressed. That may cost young players and assets, but Chicago is in a position to be a contending team for the next couple of years. Risky moves are worth it right now.
Chicago Bulls: Three Trade Ideas
Building an ideal starting five
The trade: Chicago sends Derrick Jones Jr, Matt Thomas, and a second-round pick to the Orlando Magic for Terrence Ross.
Ross is a stellar piece that would finish off the Bulls’ starting five. Patrick Williams was the original piece, but he’s gone for the year. Ross can defend the perimeter, drain threes, and is super athletic which will complement the Bulls’ core very well. They’ll also have him for this year and next season. His situation should definitely be monitored as Orlando continues their rebuild.
This move is mostly done by Orlando to dump a contract for cap space this summer. Jones Jr is another athletic forward, while Thomas is a three-point shooter. Both of their salaries expire this coming summer. Perhaps they find a place in Orlando’s future too. At the end of the day, Orlando opens up cap space and receives a second-round pick.
Trading a prospect to win now
The trade: Chicago sends Williams to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Luguentz Dort and Kenrich Williams.
Oklahoma City loves its young players and assets. They also have plenty of patience in development (see Williams’ injury). Lastly, Dort becomes expendable due to Josh Giddey being around.
Dort is a menacing defender, a very solid shooter, and an overall tough player. He can play the three in the Chicago starting five. The Bulls are excellent offensively, and Dort will hit his open shots, but his true difference-making will come at the defensive end. Having Ball and Dort in a line-up will do Chicago plenty of good. Williams is an excellent hustle player who contributes well on both ends of the floor. He’ll be a great player off the Bulls bench.
Oklahoma City gets a great prospect in Williams here. Dort is a player that was in the future plans last year, but now the Thunder have a different backcourt. He can certainly become the starting three for the Thunder as soon as next season and for the foreseeable future.
The Chicago Bulls help a possible Portland Trail Blazers rebuild
The trade: Chicago sends Jones Jr, Tony Bradley, and a first-round pick to the Portland Trail Blazers for Larry Nance Jr and Cody Zeller.
Portland is in the middle of a jam. They’re struggling and Damian Lillard is injured. His future remains uncertain. If they decide to pack it up and rebuild, it starts with this trade.
Like the other potential trades, Nance Jr fills in a void and completes the Chicago starting five. He can play both the three and four, so he’ll take the other depending on what DeRozan plays. He’s a strong two-way player and another super athlete who simply fits this line-up well. Zeller is an experienced big man to have coming off the bench too.
Portland acquires Jones Jr’s expiring contract, clearing the books and getting rid of Nance Jr’s. Bradley is a decent prospect, but his contract is off the books too. Portland primarily does this for cap space and a coveted first-round pick.
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Main Image: Embed from Getty Images
