The Chicago Bulls have been able to maintain their grip on the Eastern Conference, despite the injury setbacks of late. Indeed, many other teams have struggled with players in COVID-19 Protocols, but Chicago has done as well as anyone in maintaining their success in spite of this. However, this week brought about some injuries that will without have implications on the makeup of this roster, both now and in the future.
The key injuries that the Bulls learned of this week came in the form of Alex Caruso and Lonzo Ball. Both free agent signings have been key defensive pieces for Billy Donovan and Chicago. The on-court implications here are obvious, as they will certainly be hurting without their two top defenders. However, these injuries are certainly going to play a role in the way that they approach the deadline and buyout markets.
Both Ball and Caruso are set to miss around 6-8 weeks, Caruso with a wrist fracture and Ball with a meniscus issue. Though they should be set to be back for the playoffs, Chicago is now without two backcourt players who play significant minutes on a nightly basis.
Without some kind of move between now and the trade deadline, the Bulls’ conference lead is certainly in danger. It is almost certain that Chicago goes out and gets some kind of backcourt help, but don’t expect this to be a major move, but rather a buyout market deal or via small trade.
The storyline to follow here, though, goes far beyond this season. Coby White has been the name popping up in Bulls trade rumors, with many wondering how aggressive Chicago will look to be at the deadline in hopes of contending this year. Considering the injuries to their roster, though, trading Coby this season simply isn’t going to be an option.
It is no secret that the Chicago Bulls have had a hard time keeping players on the floor this season, with various COVID incidents and injuries.
Perhaps I am in the minority, but I believe that a Coby trade is inevitable eventually and probably the correct course of action. White is a very good scorer and has been showing the ability to be a high-level bench piece, but considering what the Chicago payroll is going to look like in the next two years, paying a pure scorer a pretty penny to come off of the bench probably isn’t justifiable.
By no means does a White deal need to be done imminently, though, as the North Carolina product will be under club control until the summer of 2023 when he’s set to hit restricted free agency. In fact, waiting to move him until after this season could be very beneficial for Chicago.
His value, though certainly on the rise again with the strong play of late, is perhaps the lowest that it has ever been. The Bulls shouldn’t feel like they need to necessarily go all in at this moment, as their window doesn’t close after 2021-2022.
In addition, this year’s trade market isn’t particularly strong. The Bulls clearly have a need at the four right now, but this is speaking in terms of this season rather than beyond. Jerami Grant has been a popular name floating around Bulls rumors, but it is almost certain that he will go for much more than he is worth. Trade deadline moves are exciting, especially when the franchise is in buyer mode, but there is more in play than just this season.
Considering all of this, I would expect Chicago to have a rather quiet deadline. This might be disappointing to some who are looking to make an all-in push for this year, but the Bulls simply aren’t in a place right now where they can afford to make big moves.
In an optimal situation, the Bulls stand pat or make small moves at the deadline to stay competitive in the East, until they get fully healthy once again. With players like White and Patrick Williams then being able to come back and rebuild their value, Chicago can then decide to make a big splash or not during the offseason.