The Chicago Bulls' five-game losing streak has magnified the need to rebuild. Although they are still part of the playoff picture, 10th in the Eastern Conference, Chicago's fate is sealed if nothing changes. The worst possible scenario—losing a play-in game and forfeiting their first-rounder to the San Antonio Spurs—is very plausible.
Thus, a move (or two) must be made by the trade deadline for the first time in four years. The Bulls have been notoriously stingy when it comes to making trades. Balking at trade offers for Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan a season ago before trading the former for Josh Giddey and essentially allowing the latter to walk as part of a sign-and-trade.
This time around, the Bulls must learn from their past mistakes. Franchise stalwarts Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic are enjoying resurgent seasons, averaging north of 20 points per game and shooting better than 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from beyond the arc. There's no telling if either player's trade value will be as lofty as it is now.
Although it's appeasing watching LaVine and Vooch play at All-Star levels, it's also a detriment to Chicago's future. The star duo has willed the Bulls to numerous wins this season. Vucevic ranks first in win shares among Bulls (4.9), while LaVine comes in at second (2.6). Despite suiting up for a losing team, the 6-foot-10 center ranks 16th in the NBA in win shares. He's the only player in the top 25 on a squad with a record worse than .500.
While LaVine is a distant second in win shares, he's by far Chicago's most impactful player regarding on/off splits. The Bulls are 11.1 points per 100 possessions better with LaVine on the court. Of all Bulls with over 500 minutes, the 6-foot-5 guard ranks first in efficiency differential by a wide margin (Vucevic ranks second at 1.8). All things considered, teams still appear hesitant to acquire LaVine.
The Bucks are a team to watch for Zach LaVine
However, as the hesitancy persists, several desperate teams will surely inquire about LaVine as the deadline nears. One of those teams could be Central Division rival Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks have been recently linked to Jimmy Butler—demonstrating the belief that being active in the trade market will lead to an improved latter half of the season.
The Bucks struggled mightily to begin the 2024-25 campaign, starting 4-9. Now, halfway through the season, Milwaukee has progressed to reach fourth in the Eastern Conference at 24-17. Nonetheless, with an aging roster (third-oldest in the NBA), the Bucks' contending window is rapidly coming to a close—furthering the need to make a move.
While discussing the Bucks' potential trade ventures, Sam Vecenie of the Game Theory Podcast named Khris Middleton as a player who could almost satisfy the financial requirements in a trade for LaVine. The 33-year-old forward is slated to earn $31 million this season and $34 next. Although a LaVine-for-Middleton swap doesn't work financially, Milwaukee can include Bobby Portis or Pat Connaughton to facilitate the trade.
Things are a bit more convoluted than including two players to acquire LaVine. Milwaukee is a second-apron team, which bars the Bucks from aggregating multiple players in a trade. Therefore, a corresponding move must be made—such as sending Connaughton and draft compensation to a team with cap space—before initiating the hypothetical swap.
Nevertheless, a LaVine and Milwaukee pairing makes sense. What wouldn't make sense for Chicago is only acquiring Middleton and Portis, Connaughton, or another veteran for the two-time All-Star. Considering such, the Game Theory Podcast mentioned Bucks' rookie AJ Johnson and draft capital as assets that'd tempt the Bulls to agree to such a trade.
If Chicago is able to acquire any younger players, draft compensation, or both for LaVine—a deal should come to fruition. While the Bulls have been hesitant to ship off their best player, LaVine's incredible play has upped his value, successively increasing Chicago's return. Turning down a trade to a desperate contender would be downright foolish with a first-round pick hanging in the balance.