As the Feb. 10 NBA trade deadline nears ever close, pressure is mounting on the Chicago Bulls to make a move that can elevate the team to championship contention. The trade market appears to be quite robust this year, which means the Bulls should have ample opportunity to make a splash if they so desire.
If Chicago’s new management tandem of Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley have shown us anything thus far, it’s that they’re not afraid to make aggressive moves to put the team in a position to win basketball games. So far, they’ve proven to be quite effective at accomplishing that simple but difficult task.
The Bulls have raced out to a 33-20 record this year and are locked in a battle with the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks for the Eastern Conference’s top spot. This signals a marked improvement from last year’s Bulls squad, which finished with a 31-41 record and in 11th place in the East.
However, not all has been smooth sailing for these new-look Bulls. Injuries and COVID-19 have ravaged the team all year, and three of the team’s top seven players in minutes played look to be sidelined until the end of the regular season. Other key contributors like Javonte Green and Derrick Jones Jr. have also missed significant time, while every single player on the team has completed at least one stint in the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
If the Chicago Bulls want to take the leap back into the playoff race and compete for not only postseason appearances but an actual championship, they will likely need to be active participants in the 2022 NBA trade deadline.
The Chicago Bulls are expected to be major players at the 2022 NBA trade deadline, but just how realistic are the potential deals being reported by the media?
To properly assess any moves Chicago’s front office duo may make, first we must acknowledge what assets the Bulls have to work with on the trade market as well as what would motivate the team to make a midseason deal in the first place.
Chicago Bulls Trade Assets
- Patrick Williams
- Coby White
- Derrick Jones Jr.
- Troy Brown Jr.
- Portland’s 2022 first-round pick (lottery protected)
- One future second-round pick
Chicago Bulls Trade Deadline Needs
- Two-way forward to pick up difficult defensive assignments
- Interior size to address rebounding woes
- Reserve guard to add depth until Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso return
- Flexible contracts to maintain the current core and make future moves in free agency
With all this in mind, we can begin to know what to expect when it comes to Chicago’s NBA trade deadline plans. When considering the biggest Bulls trade rumors, it’s important to use these criteria to evaluate just how realistic any potential moves would be.