Among the league’s most intriguing teams are the Chicago Bulls. After losing to the Thunder on opening night, they held a players-only meeting. They are currently 3-6 on the season. Teams are now waiting for the Bulls’ “potential downfall,” according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, in the hopes of acquiring Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, or other important players.
NBA Rumors: Teams Keeping an Eye on the Bulls’ “Potential Downfall”
In response to the Bulls’ unsatisfactory start, Windhorst said on ESPN’s NBA Today that “scouts are jamming themselves into Bulls games because they realize that the Bulls may break this team up at some point.”
In September, DeRozan had told Mark Medina of SportsKeeda that he was dismissive of the idea of rebuilding.
“I think a lot of people who say that or suggest that really don’t understand basketball at all, in my opinion. You can think that’s an answer or that’s a route. But there’s no telling how long that route is going to even last. That route doesn’t necessarily always work in a timely fashion that you may think it will take. With that, it’s hard to find and create talented players like the players that we already have assembled.”
The Bulls must make important decisions about their future, though, with LaVine in his contract year, Nikola Vucevic, 34, not getting any younger, and rumors of a DeRozan deal hanging in the air.
Updates on Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan
In any huge trade, DeRozan and LaVine would probably be the first players dealt, and a lot of teams could utilize their services.
DeRozan has averaging 21.4 points this season while shooting 31.6% from outside the arc and 43.6% from the field. In his three years in Chicago, he has been just as impressive, posting splits of.501/.337/.872 with 26 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Before the James Harden trade, Erik Beaston of Bleacher Report suggested that DeRozan might end up with the 76ers in a previous piece. With a 7-1 start and a commanding lead in the East, the Sixers might still be willing to make a deal with their new acquisition. Beaston listed several clubs that may benefit from DeRozan at the wing, including the Timberwolves, Hawks, Grizzlies, Pistons, and Cavaliers.
In his seven years as a Bull, Zach LaVine has averaged 24.5 points per game on.471/.384/.836 splits. He will have as many admirers as DeRozan, but the Lakers are one team he has frequently been associated with. The hosts of NBA Today debated whether Los Angeles should bring in a third star, with Mike Wilbon pushing for LaVine to return home. After the disaster a few seasons ago, many Lakers supporters would be hesitant to return to that notion. But combining LaVine’s scoring prowess and explosiveness with players like Anthony Davis and LeBron James is at least interesting.
Important Figures in Rumors
In addition to those two, teams will be focusing on the Bulls’ supporting group. Through the first nine games of the season, Nikola Vucevic has averaged 16.3 points and 10.7 rebounds, making him a dependable big man. One of the most well-known players to enter the Bulls’ trade market may be Alex Caruso, whose impressive start has prompted requests for DPOY consideration. He has averaged 3.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 7.8 points (.591/.440/.636) per game. Point guards Jevon Carter and Coby White may potentially be considered given their strong performances thus far. The same is true for experienced big man Andre Drummond and youthful wing Patrick Williams. Reliable role players are always needed by winning teams, and some of them could acquire Bulls rotation players to improve their circumstances.
Final Word Regarding the Bulls
It’s possible that the Bulls will be having a fire sale in a few months, no matter how you look at it. They just made the playoffs twice in the previous seven years, and they just finished with a 40-42 record. Expect Chicago to be sellers by the trade deadline, if not earlier, unless things take a dramatic reversal.