Bulls: 5 ideal Coby White trade targets to balance the roster

1. Jarred Vanderbilt

Jarred Vanderbilt is a player that we’ve been advocating for the Bulls to pursue for quite some time now, as his elite rebounding and hustle play would address one of Chicago’s greatest needs on the low block. Unfortunately, the Bulls would not be able to coax Vanderbilt to the Windy City on a minimum deal last summer. Fortunately, they may have never even needed to.

Dealt to the Utah Jazz in the exchange that sent Rudy Gobert to Minnesota, Vanderbilt now finds himself in a very uncertain role with a team that doesn’t quite know what it wants to be. If the rumors that the Jazz are looking to trade Donovan Mitchell are true, then Utah has no real incentive to hold on to Vando either.

By acquiring a boatload of picks for Gobert, Royce O’Neale, and potentially Mitchell, the Jazz are clearly signaling an intent to bottom out and maximize their future assets. If Vanderbilt is made available, the Bulls would be foolish to not swoop on the opportunity.

Sending Coby to Utah could give the Jazz their inevitable Mike Conley replacement, while still keeping the roster construction flexible next to Mitchell (or Jordan Clarkson, or Michael Beasley, or whoever).

With the biggest role Vanderbilt had ever been given in his career, he swooped on the opportunity and made the most of his 25 minutes per game. Averaging 6.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game for Minnesota, Vanderbilt proved to be an excellent Swiss Army Knife asset. Vanderbilt is also one of the largest players the Bulls could potentially acquire, standing a full 6’9 with the size to guard opposing frontcourts effectively.

The lack of a 3-ball is slightly concerning, but an issue I believe a team with as many offensive threats as Chicago has is well-equipped to overcome. If the Bulls do swing a trade for Vanderbilt, I believe they immediately become an improved and much more dangerous team moving forward.