New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans just made offseason history completing a mega-deal with the Los Angeles Lakers sending their franchise centerpiece Anthony Davis to play alongside LeBron James. New Orleans acquired Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and three first-round picks for Davis.
The Pelicans already have the first overall pick in the draft and will select Zion Williamson (Duke) pending a miracle, so the need for the fourth overall pick they received from the Lakers in the Davis-deal can be exercised in a variety of ways.
Bulls fans and media were dialed into the Lonzo Ball rumors that he could be the point guard to replace Kris Dunn, but those rumors are squashed now. If the Bulls make a deal with the Pelicans, which is still a probability, it’s to select who they believe will be the next cornerstone of the rebuild fourth overall.
That fourth overall selection is could most likely to be Darius Garland, Jarrett Culver, or De’Andre Hunter. There’s also a chance the Bulls can trade up to jump the Phoenix Suns for Coby White. Speculation in Phoenix camps has been the Suns love White’s shooting ability and believe he can run an offense beside Devin Booker.
The Bulls have a couple of options in completing a deal with the Pelicans, but as we’ve seen with the Lakers, they won’t budge for anything cheap. I believe the most likely deal between the two involves the Bulls giving up three picks total, Cristian Felicio to help fill part of the void left by Julius Randle and of course the Bulls asking for cash considerations in return with the fourth overall pick.
Bulls receive: Pelicans No. 4 overall pick, cash considerations
Pelicans receive: Bulls No. 7 overall pick, No. 38 overall pick, Future first-round lottery protected pick, Cristiano Felicio
I think the Bulls make a deal like this or very similar including a bench player or two to bolster the Pelicans depth in the course of the start to their rebuild. If the Bulls front office believes one of the prospects from four-to-seven is going to accelerate the rebuild then it is worth the shot.