2) Chicago Bulls trades with the Blazers ahead of the deadline
There’s a lot that the Bulls could do if they’re willing to retool their frontcourt rotation for the future a good bit at the trade deadline this year. In this particular trade deal, Karnisovas and the Bulls get into discussions to try and get a more reliable frontcourt rotation in the mix for the future of this rebuild. And that’s done by parting ways with both Markkanen and third-year center Wendell Carter Jr.
For much of the season to date, the Bulls played without their dynamic and potent frontcourt combination of Markkanen and WCJ due to their various injury issues. And that’s something that has plagued both young Bulls players since they entered the league three and four years ago, respectively. That might be something for the new front office regime to change in the near future.
Markkanen himself is in the final year of his rookie contract, so it won’t be long at all before he hits the restricted free agent market. And WCJ is about to enter the final year of his rookie contract ahead of next season. Karnisovas and Eversley have some figuring out to do whether these two will be a significant part of the future of this core.
The Bulls also send Sato in this trade deal to make the salary matching work, and to help the rosters even up. Sato could very well also be on the move at the deadline this year given his team friendly contract that is only partially guaranteed next year.
What the Blazers send in return could be really interesting for the Bulls. They also send the likes of versatile forward Robert Covington, potent young big man Zach Collins, and promising wing Nassir Little.
RoCo has played for three teams in the last two years, but he would be a really nice fit with Donovan and the Bulls for the rest of the season.