Chicago Bulls: 3 biggest looming trade deadline needs

3) Looming Chicago Bulls trade deadline needs

Any sort of big man help

I do want to mention that before I get into the weeds on this list of potential looming trade deadline needs for Karnisovas and the Bulls later this month that it’s not likely at all that each of them are filled in their own right. The trade deadline is going to be a way either for the Bulls to continue building up this young core or to help this group build to the playoffs.

A lot of the decisions for the Bulls new front office will hinge on what happens in the next few games. The Bulls do still somewhat sit within striking distance of a lower playoff seed in the Eastern Conference standings at this point in time. But that could fade away, and soon, if they don’t start finding more success in the win column right away.

One particular area where the Bulls definitely need to improve both in the immediate future and for the overall longevity of this young core is in the frontcourt rotation. The combination of fourth-year power forward Lauri Markkanen and third-year center Wendell Carter Jr. just is not getting it done at the moment.

And with Markkanen both sitting in the final year of his rookie contract and effectively returning to the lineup from a nagging shoulder injury, it’s really hard to tell what value he will present for this young core over the long haul. We do know that WCJ is not effective for the Bulls right now, and he will be in the final year of his rookie contract next season.

One of these two could be moved in the next couple of weeks. If nothing else, Karnisovas should at least find a solution to Donovan’s frontcourt woes by way of the buyout or trade market this season.