Chicago Bulls: DeAndre Jordan emerging buyout target?

Any path that the Chicago Bulls would have for acquiring center DeAndre Jordan from the buyout market could be a detriment to the rebuild.

It wouldn’t make much sense at this point of the 2018-19 regular season for the Chicago Bulls to reach out to the buyout market for really anyone. The buyout market is mainly reserved for players that are set to help a contender reach another level and make a good run through the playoffs. That is not a position that the Chicago Bulls are in right now. Yet, it’s hard to tell where the franchise could go if it wanted to try and acquire the New York Knicks veteran center DeAndre Jordan.

If the Chicago Bulls would be interested in bringing in someone like DeAndre Jordan if the Knicks do buy him out, it would create a log jam in the front court once rookie center Wendell Carter Jr. returns from his thumb injury.

According to a report from 247Sports, the Los Angeles Lakers would be very interested in acquiring DeAndre Jordan if he hits the open buyout market soon. Joining LeBron James and the Lakers in LA would likely be a good fit for DeAndre Jordan since he hasn’t had a shot at contending in a few years since his time with the Los Angeles Clippers.

The reason why the Knicks would consider buying out DeAndre Jordan in the first place is that his massive contract doesn’t really benefit that rebuild in any sense. Jordan carries a hefty price tag that would at least be $22 million the Knicks payroll each year.

Letting Jordan walk to another destination would allow the Knicks to commence a full rebuild this summer, or try and pursue a superstar free agent like point guard Kyrie Irving or forward Kevin Durant. The Knicks tried to pursue Durant as early as the beginning of this regular season.

However, this season didn’t see much happen for Jordan in his time with the Dallas Mavericks either. He was dished to the Knicks so that the young star forward Kristaps Porzingis could join rookie Luka Doncic in Dallas.

There haven’t been any rumors that emerged connecting Jordan to the Bulls via the buyout market. Even if it’s this summer when he hits the free agent market, Jordan still doesn’t make much sense for the Bulls. Landing with someone like the Lakers or Boston Celtics is much more logical for all parties.

The buyout market could continue to have an impact on front courts around the NBA. Even the Bulls could be looking to buyout a veteran center of its own soon with Robin Lopez possibly on the move in due time.