Nearly two weeks ago, first-year executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley had a very busy trade deadline day for the Chicago Bulls. Back on March 25, the construction of the Bulls roster changed greatly, and it could have a huge impact on them making a run to the playoffs this year.
First and foremost, the Bulls upgraded the roster by landing star big man Nikola Vucevic and forward Al-Farouq Aminu from the Orlando Magic. The Bulls did have to send a sizable offering to the Magic including third-year center Wendell Carter Jr., small forward Otto Porter Jr., and two first round draft picks, to get Vooch and Aminu.
Other significant moves included the Bulls nabbing former Boston Celtics big man Daniel Theis and Javonte Green in return for former Washington Wizards big man Mo Wagner and center Luke Kornet. The Bulls also landed small forward Troy Brown Jr. from the Wizards for a return of second-year center Daniel Gafford and third-year small forward Chandler Hutchison.
How the rest of the Chicago Bulls roster can be reshaped?
With the roster significantly upgraded since the trade deadline, first-year head coach Billy Donovan and the Bulls look much more ready to compete in the Eastern Conference playoff picture than they did before March 25. Donovan and the Bulls now sit on a two-game winning streak entering a key April 8 meeting on the road with the Toronto Raptors.
If the Bulls want to continue building up the roster in the near future, then the most immediate way to make an impact would be to hit the buyout market. On April 9, the altered buyout market deadline for teams to have players signed and eligible on the roster to be ready for the playoffs this year is set.
That doesn’t leave the Bulls’ new front office regime much time if they do want to pursue any buyout market targets this season. Here’s a look at three potential buyout market targets for the Bulls among traded players this season.