Chicago Bulls: 5 potential trade targets that could vault the rebuild

The Indiana Pacers already shopped the 23-year-old former Gonzaga Bulldogs power forward and Sixth Man of the Year Award candidate Domantas Sabonis through the end of the preseason and Training Camp. According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Pacers shopped Sabonis around of late due to the recent contract extension discussions that haven’t gone anywhere to this date.

A problem for the Pacers could be that Sabonis will command a large price tag for his first extension beyond his rookie scale deal. He also doesn’t pair all that well with defensive standout center Myles Turner in the frontcourt. A seamless starting five for the Pacers in the frontcourt should include Turner and Sabonis, but they don’t mesh very well.

The Chicago Bulls would have to throw a lot the Pacers way to be able to land Sabonis. If they don’t agree to a contract extension soon, the plan could be for him to land in restricted free agency. Granted the Pacers front office would have to consider that a worst case scenario. They should at least want to try and get something back for him in return.

Basketball Reference projections have Sabonis averaging 18.8 points per 36 minutes, 12.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 0.9 steals. They also have him pegged to wind up with a 38.8 three-point shooting percentage and a 73.2 percent mark from the charity stripe. A player that wound up with a player efficiency rating better than 21.0 last season deserves high marks on the trade market.