As the Feb. 6 trade deadline inches closer, all indications are that the Chicago Bulls are open for business.
Zach LaVine’s name continues to gain traction around the league, while Nikola Vucevic has repeatedly been named as a target for the Golden State Warriors. We’ve even heard rumors about Chicago’s willingness to move on from Patrick Williams, who recently made his way to the team’s second unit. Everything and anything feels like it’s on the table for this squad, and that’s exactly what you want to hear during this time of year.
Indeed, this is always one of the most fun stretches in the NBA calendar (especially when the team you dedicate your livelihood to is on a fast track to nowhere)! So I thought we might as well play around with the trade machine and pitch AK a few ideas.
Below you’ll find four deadline ideas for the Chicago Bulls that all (almost) got the green light in Fanspo’s trade machine. I’m going to try to put a few of these together in the lead-up to the deadline, so feel free to leave any fun trade ideas you have in the comments and perhaps I’ll include them in my next post!
You can find our first Trade Machine Fun post here and our second here.
Four Bulls Trade Ideas
Trade 1
Bulls return … Marcus Smart, Buddy Hield, Gary Payton II, 2025 Top 5 Protected First-Round Pick via Warriors, Two Future Second-Round Picks via GrizzliesWarriors return … Zach LaVineMemphis return … Andrew Wiggins
The Golden State Warriors have been linked to Nikola Vucevic for weeks, but the organization is now reportedly mulling a potential Zach LaVine pursuit. A deadline splash of this magnitude may be exactly what they need, as they currently sit 24-23 and 11th in the Western Conference. But it still wouldn’t come without its risks.
The Bulls are going to demand first-round draft capital amid LaVine’s excellent season. If the discussions surround their 2025 pick, the Warriors are certainly going to attempt to heavily protect that selection, as they are currently positioned to claim a lottery pick. Of course, I’d expect the Bulls to push back on that heavily, potentially resulting in a compromise that is somewhere within a Top 3-5 range.
Likewise, I have a hard time believing the Bulls would want Andrew Wiggins’ salary. This is why I had the Memphis Grizzlies swooping in to grab the two-way wing. They have a clear need for more veteran talent at the forward spot, particularly if they hope to make a playoff run. Wiggins could fit in really nicely. The only real question here is should Memphis have to send another protected first-rounder instead of multiple seconds to Chicago for Wiggins? If so, even better!
© Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn ImagesTrade 2
Bulls return … Tim Hardaway Jr., Simone Fontecchio, AJ Johnson, 2031 Top-3 Protected First-Round via BucksBucks return … Zach LaVine Pistons return … Khris Middleton
Full disclosure, this trade would not receive the thumbs from the trade machine right now. But let’s assume the Milwaukee Bucks can move Pat Connaughton in a separate deal and dip under the second apron. They have been one of the other teams pretty heavily linked to Zach LaVine over the last couple of weeks. Khris Middleton simply isn’t cutting it as a tertiary option, and there is no question LaVine would add a far more dynamic layer to their offense.
Few picks are more desirable right now than Milwaukee’s 2031 first-rounder. Currently in win-now mode with two stars in their 30s, there is a decent chance the Bucks are in rebuild mode at that time. The Bulls would obviously prefer an unprotected version of that pick, but I wonder if they could snag one of Milwaukee’s 2024 draft picks (AJ Johnson or Tyler Smith) by allowing the Bucks to slap a small protection on it. I mean, they aren’t going to be playing those two anyway!
By the way, it’s technically possible that the Bulls could do a deal straight up with the Bucks, but I would assume that do not want Middleton’s contract. With that in mind, I wonder if the Pistons would be willing to add some veteran experience for their potential playoff run. All it would cost them is a couple of expiring deals!
Trade 3
Bulls return … Tim Hardaway Jr., Simone Fontecchio, Gary Harris, Two Future First Round Picks via Detroit, Two Future Second Round Picks via MagicPistons return … Zach LaVineMagic return … Malik Beasley
Speaking of the Pistons, what if they wanted to get their hands on Zach LaVine instead? Sitting at 23-24 and in sight of a potential top 6 seed in the Eastern Conference, Detroit has every reason to be aggressive. They have not tasted postseason basketball since the 2018-19 season, and Cade Cunningham has finally started to look like the superstar the organization hoped he could be.
Pairing the high-IQ and versatile facilitator with one of the most efficient two-guards in the league may not be a bad long-term plan. They have the kind of financial flexibility to keep adding pieces around that star-studded backcourt, too. With that being the case, I have them sending the Bulls two future first-round picks. I imagine one being unprotected and one being top 10 protected. I also imagine this is probably too much for the Pistons to give up … but let me have my fun!
I have Malik Beasley heading to the Magic to give Orlando a little more proven shooting for their playoff run. Gary Harris comes to Chicago to make the money work alongside a pair of second-round picks.
Trade 4
Bulls return … Dalton Knecht, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Gabe Vincent, Rui Hachimura, 2030 First-Round Pick via LakersLakers return … Coby White, Nikola Vucevic
Let’s get crazy! With a Coby White extension decision looming down the road, the Chicago Bulls may want to finally sell high on an asset. The Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis recently told Shams Charania that he would like the team to add a guard and a big man. I smell a match made in heaven!
Arguably an even better asset than Milwaukee’s 2031 first-round pick is the Lakers’ 2030 first-round pick. In this deal, I have them sending that pick AND 17th overall pick Dalton Knecht to Chicago in exchange for Coby White and Nikola Vucevic. Knenct may only be a little over a year younger than White, but he comes on a rookie contract with plenty of scoring upside. The Bulls also get to take a flyer on Jalen Hood-Schifino and Rui Hachimura, who they could turn into more assets down the road.
I would guess that some Lakers fans see this and scoff, but Coby White has shown he is the real deal over the last couple of seasons. He would provide quite a needed boost to a Lakers’ offense that lacks pace and shooting.
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