Less than a week ago, the Chicago Bulls were named as a potential trade destination for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. In an episode of The Zach Lowe Show, NBA pundit Howard Beck listed the Bulls, alongside several other teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers and the Clippers, the New York Knicks, the Miami Heat, and the Houston Rockets.
However, his sentiment didn't necessarily exude the utmost confidence. Word for word, Beck said, "I think they threw Chicago in there" when discussing Antetokounmpo's likeliest landing spots. Not what most superstar-hopeful fans would like to hear. Still, it's intriguing to see Chicago in the mix for a top player in league history.
The Bulls aren't the most asset rich team
Realistically speaking, the Bulls don't have much to offer the Bucks. Player-wise, Chicago can tempt Milwaukee with Matas Buzelis, Coby White, and maybe Julian Phillips and Ayo Dosunmu. Buzelis is surely the most appealing, but he didn't set the world on fire as a rookie. The former 11th-overall pick averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 0.9 blocks, and 1.2 three-pointers a season ago. The potential is evident, but it's far too early to say whether it's star potential.
Furthermore, White is a proven scoring guard who's taken his game to new heights as of late, also in need of a new, likely exorbitant contract next offseason. Phillips is an unproven wing, with two more seasons than Buzelis under his belt, yet with less production as a former second-rounder. Lastly, Dosunmu is an inexpensive, high-floor role player capable of fulfilling multiple roles.
As for draft capital, the Bulls possess their next six first-round picks, which would certainly spark intrigue. Thus, Chicago can tempt Milwaukee with three unprotected firsts and three pick swaps. Unfortunately, the Bulls lack second-round capital. Chicago has only four second-rounders, beginning in 2028, to include in any trade.
A package revolving around Buzelis, White, salary-matchers, and a hoard of draft picks is Chicago's best bet at acquiring Antetokounmpo. While plausible, the trade is certainly a pipe dream at this point. A team such as the Brooklyn Nets can easily outbid the Bulls. Brooklyn possesses 11 tradeable first-rounders and 14 seconds. Moreover, Houston, a potential destination, is loaded with young prospects worth trading for, such as Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and Reed Sheppard.
An Antetokounmpo trade may finally come to fruition
Nonetheless, even after Beck's non-inspiring blurb and Chicago's lack of quality assets compared to several other potential suitors, a recent report from ESPN's Shams Charania should at least tantalize the Bulls' Front Office to target the nine-time All-Star.
Charania reported, "Antetokounmpo is open-minded about exploring whether his best long-term fit is remaining in Milwaukee or playing elsewhere." Thus, for what feels like the second or even third time, Antetokounmpo is pondering his future after the Bucks' abrupt first-round playoff exit.
With running-mate Damian Lillard suffering a torn achilles at 34 years old, Brook Lopez an impending free agent, and a lack of appealing younger prospects on the roster, Antetokounmpo's desire to explore other possibilities is rational. The two-time MVP will turn 31 in December. Therefore, he might not want to wait out Milwaukee's imminent rebuild.
The Bulls, in a perpetual rebuild, are at least younger and the association's fourth-most valuable team in the third-largest market. Antetokounmpo has notably professed a desire to suit up for an organization in one of the larger markets. However, it's also been rumored that the Greek Freak is intrigued by the idea of playing in a state with no income tax, which includes only Florida, Tennessee, and Texas.
The rumblings are just beginning, but after Chicago was named as a potential trade destination and Antetokounmpo's open-mindedness came to light, there's a real reason to monitor the superstar's future endeavors.