Through the first 35 games of the regular season, the Chicago Bulls have put together a team that looks like a real postseason contender in the Eastern Conference. Of course, that should be the case with any team that is sitting in first place in their conference nearing the halfway mark of a season. But the Bulls have put together a team that is deep and star-driven at the same time.
The play of the star trio that consists of shooting guard/forward DeMar DeRozan, shooting guard Zach LaVine, and center Nikola Vucevic has spearheaded the Bulls to register a record of 25-10 through the first 35 games of the regular season. That is good for first place in the Eastern Conference standings at this point of the season ahead of the likes of the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets.
As the Bulls are getting set to take on the Washington Wizards on the night of Jan. 7, there is a lot for the front office to consider down the stretch this season. And it seems like executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley are still very open to the idea of getting involved in trade talks if it involves the right return.
Where Arturas Karnisovas and the Chicago Bulls can make moves at the deadline?
Arturas Karnisovas tells @mullyhaugh he likes group the Bulls have a lot, and that they're still learning it. But, on adding to team via trade: "We're open to any possibilities and will listen."
— Rob Schaefer (@rob_schaef) January 6, 2022
Granted, it also sounds like the Bulls’ front office is not chomping at the bit to add pieces to this roster at the trade deadline this season like they were last year. That was certainly the case when the Bulls went to get Vucevic from the Magic last season. The same could be said for landing point guard Lonzo Ball and DeRozan, among others, last offseason.
Yet, it feels like that if the Bulls add anyone, it’s going to be players that fill more of a niche role. Here’s a look into three underrated trade targets that Karnisovas and the Bulls should be open to as the deadline approaches next month.