Ranking 3 Bulls players most likely to be traded at February deadline

As the NBA’s February 9 trade deadline inches ever closer, it’s difficult not to think about all the moves the Chicago Bulls could make. Whether they plan on improving the roster, moving toward a rebuild, or standing pat, the front office has done a great job of keeping us in the dark thus far.

One thing we do know, however, is that Patrick Williams and Alex Caruso are currently considered relatively untouchable, if reports are to be believed. Obviously, very few players are truly ‘untouchable’, but this signals the front office won’t move them for anything short of a massive overpay. This should also help us understand what their intentions may be at the deadline.

I also suspect LaVine is very unlikely to be dealt away, despite other teams circling like vultures and closely monitoring the situation. With several core players set to hit free agency this summer, any move the Bulls make will have to be made with the intention to keep the payroll open so that they can re-sign the likes of Ayo Dosunmu, Javonte Green, and any veterans they wish to keep around.

If the Bulls do decide to pull off a major trade at the deadline, these three players are the most likely to be among those on their way out.

DeMar DeRozan would be an invaluable trade chip if the Chicago Bulls decide to blow it up before the trade deadline.

3. DeMar DeRozan

DeMar DeRozan is many things. He’s the Chicago Bulls’ primary scoring option and the undoubted leader in the locker room. He’s the best free agent signing in Bulls’ franchise history. And for better or worse, he’s Chicago’s most valuable trade chip if they decide to make any moves at next month’s trade deadline.

NBC Sports Chicago’s KC Johnson discusses the possibility of DeRozan being moved at the deadline with HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto below.

"“As of this talk, I’d be surprised if they move any of their big three. If you do decide to break up this core, I ranked him as their most significant trade asset by far. Here’s the other thing about DeMar, he’s extension eligible this summer. You don’t have to extend him since he’s guaranteed through next year, but you can bet that he’s going to look to be extended this summer.”"

I’m liable to agree with KC here, in that I don’t expect DeMar to be moved. Now that the Bulls have gotten the ball rolling and won 10 of their last 16 games, there’s too much at stake to give everything up right now. But if Chicago hypothetically runs into another extensive losing streak, or if LaVine suffers a significant injury, it may be time for this team to face the truth of their perceived ceiling and begin recouping as many assets as possible before losing their best players in free agency.

2. Nikola Vucevic

Like most players currently on the Bulls’ roster, I don’t actually expect Nikola Vucevic to be on the move in February. League-wide demand for Vooch’s services is probably at an all-time low, and selling low him now right when he’s just started picking things back up feels a little foolish. As long as the team keeps winning, I expect them to maintain the course. But if they do start to falter, Scotto does make a few good points.

"“When I talk to executives around the league, they think – barring a trade – that he (Nikola Vucevic) would remain with Chicago because it almost feels like they have to keep him long-term, given all the assets they gave up for him. In theory, could a team like the Lakers use him? He played at USC in college. There are some other potential storylines and teams that would have interest in a guy like him, but you’d think all the ducks would line up where he’d return.”"

If the Bulls do decide to pull the trigger in either direction — either to make moves to compete now or to blow up the roster to rebuild — Vucevic would undoubtedly be one of the first pieces to be moved in either scenario. It’s for this reason then, that Vooch finds himself placed high on this list.

After failing to secure an extension in the preseason, Nikola Vucevic’s place on the Chicago Bulls is becoming increasingly tenuous.

Despite his performance picking up as of late, including a career-high 43 points against the Warriors a few days ago, it’s impossible to ignore the fact he’s simply a bad roster fit. As the third star on the roster, his offensively-oriented game is simply redundant alongside the superior threats in DeRozan and LaVine.

Chicago would likely significantly improve as a team if they had a player that could anchor the low post on defense, even if that player was a downgrade in a vacuum. Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton and Boston’s Robert Williams are great examples here, each of whom has helped their team surge to the top of the Eastern Conference.

In fact, no other serious contender besides Denver has a player that fits Vooch’s mold at center; bad defense at the five is simply an unacceptable flaw amongst the NBA’s elite teams. For that reason, it makes sense for the Bulls to fish for a better fit at the trade deadline if they can find an equitable deal.

1. Coby White

Fear not, I haven’t included all three members of Chicago’s ‘Big 3’ in this list. Whether the Bulls decide to continue competing or initiate a rebuild, moving LaVine this soon into his massive contract extension makes little sense for either party. Instead, Coby White finds himself at the top spot here.

This has been a recurring theme with White, who has found himself available (for the right price) on the trade block two years in a row now. Johnson even confirms that White had interest at last year’s deadline, but the Bulls held firm.

"“He’s been available and been in a lot of talks. To be frank about the Bulls, it illustrates they won’t just give him away. They were offered direct packages (for him).”"

Despite a dip in raw production for White this season, he’s improved in several facets of the game and would be even more valuable as an elite role player in the right situation.

Coby White would attract several suitors if the Chicago Bulls make him available ahead of the trade deadline.

However, due to the question marks surrounding Coby’s ceiling, it’s difficult gauging what would actually be a proper return for the fourth-year guard out of North Carolina. For this reason, I don’t see the Bulls agreeing to a straight-up swap for another player. Instead, I agree with Johnson in that Chicago could pitch an offer including Coby as part of a larger package.

"“When I talk about them potentially being buyers at the deadline, he’d be one of those pieces where you try and get him in a package. I think individually, his trade return is not that significant, but in the right package with that lottery-protected Portland pick… if they’re buyers, I think he’d be in whatever package they send out.”"

With Vucevic seemingly rediscovering his three-point shot (shooting 39.8% since December) and Patrick Williams becoming a lethal spot-up threat (42.1% on 3.5 attempts per game), the Bulls are in a better position to replace Coby’s shooting off the bench than they have been in the past.

If the Bulls can flip White in exchange for a forward that can be a difference-maker on defense, they’d be hard-pressed to say no. With the rumor mill already swirling and no trades made yet, there should be no shortage of potential offers on the table here.