Tre Jones and Jalen Smith Drawing Most Interest
Of all the Bulls players, Tre Jones and Jalen Smith are drawing the most interest, per Poe. Both players are under team control through next year and have played extremely well this season. The Bulls don’t intend to move either player.
” Nikola Vučević, [Zach] Collins, [Kevin] Huerter, White, Dosunmu, and [Saric] — are sitting on expiring contracts,” Poe said. “Any of these players could be utilized as a mechanism to help another team looking to free up cap space. [Julian]Phillips will be on a team option next season, which makes him similarly available. This mechanism is only valuable to the Bulls if they receive a reasonable return — multiple sources have made it clear the Bulls don’t intend to offload a player such as White just for the sake of moving him.”
“Although their contracts are longer term, both Jones and Smith have driven interest in recent weeks,” Poe continued. “While Jones could be a potential asset still in play, the Bulls’ interest in maintaining a larger presence due to the recent success of two-big lineups could dissuade any deals from prying the center away from the Bulls. That means the Bulls are mostly looking to deal their guards, which could begin the process of rebalancing the roster.”
Ayo Dosunmu
Dosunmu is having a career season, averaging 15 points while shooting 51.5% from the field and 1.9 threes at 44.9% clip. Dosunmu is garnering significant trade interest, with the New York Knicks showing strong interest. The Bulls reportedly want to keep the 26-year-old, though Josh Giddey, Matas Buzalis, and Noa Essengue are said to be the Bulls’ core players from now on.
Tre Jones
Jones is drawing interest because there is a lack of true lead guards. Jones is having one of the best seasons of his career, averaging 12.0 points per game and shooting a career-best 55% from the field. Phoenix and Minnesota are among the teams that have shown real interest.
Coby White
Bulls are getting interest for White, but no one has offered them a first-round selection that they reportedly want. The reason teams are reportedly hesitant to offer the valued pick is White’s expiring deal, how much he will command on the open market, his defense, and nagging calf issues.
Nikola Vucevic
Vucevic is the consummate pro, but has not received much trade interest, though Boston has had talks with Chicago about the big man. Vucevic is $35 and has a huge cap number, and hasn’t been as productive as usual.
