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Trading Up: Packages the Bulls could use for move up in 2017 NBA Draft

By Willie Lutz

Dec 12, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls vice president of basketball perations John Paxson (left) and general manager Gar Forman (center) talk with sports writer Sam Smith (right) prior to a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls vice president of basketball perations John Paxson (left) and general manager Gar Forman (center) talk with sports writer Sam Smith (right) prior to a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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No. 2 overall pick in 2017 NBA Draft: Los Angeles Lakers

Historically speaking, the Lakers don’t like to lose.

Not that the Bulls are particularly keen on losing (recall that whole Michael Jordan era), but the Lakers have 17 rings in their 69-year run as a franchise.

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    • Despite comments that Lonzo Ball would only work out for the Lakers, would prefer to play for the Lakers, and has never lived out side of Los Angeles, there’s a growing curiosity whether or not the Lakers will actually select the UCLA guard.

    Jimmy Butler would be the guy to go to Los Angeles if this trade were to go down. That’s without a doubt. Butler, as a two-guard, would the immediate star to a lineup that features a solid PG in D’Angelo Russell, SF Brandon Ingram and PF Julius Randle.

    With Butler in the lineup, new president Magic Johnson would make L.A. even more attractive to a free agent pool that’s headlined by guys like PF Blake Griffin and PG Kyle Lowry.

    As many Bulls fans are likely all-too-well aware of, the Lakers are also going to be on the phone with the Indiana Pacers. With their own superstar SF Paul George, they’ve got a similar angle when it comes to trade bait. This could result in a bidding war and endanger the package that might come in return.

    The Lakers, who are brimming with young talent, will certainly be able to turn a corner with Butler, despite finishing third-to-worst last season.

    This trade for the Bulls would signal belief similar to the belief place on Derrick Rose in 2008. Using an early pick in the draft, especially when scaling for a rebuild, signals an investment in a quick turnaround.

    In terms of likelihood, this Lakers-Bulls swap feels quite tangible, unless Indiana were to do something drastic in their play for the pick.

    What a package might look like: 2017 first round (No. 4) to CHI, SG/SF Jimmy Butler and 2021 second round pick to LAL

    Who the Bulls would take: PG Lonzo Ball, SF Josh Jackson, PG De’Aaron Fox

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