The Chicago Bulls have a big problem. Literally: They have no long-term answer at the center position, but there are four high-risk, high-reward swings they could take before the trade deadline that could fix that problem for good.
The Bulls could trade for Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns, Jaren Jackson Jr. or even acquire the great white whale of this season, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Are those moves Chicago could actually make? Well, the Bulls have control of all their first-round picks, more than $60 million in expiring contracts, a rookie lottery pick in Noa Essengue and a young potential star in Matas Buzelis.
Are they trades this front office would make? Outlook not so good.
Bulls could take some massive home-run swings at the trade deadline
Whether or not a deal goes down, it would be worth Chicago's Executive VP of Basketball Operations Artūras Karnišovas exploring trades for the following four superstars.
Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks
Towns has reportedly become available as the Knicks continue to spiral. New York is 2-9 in its last 11 games. Jalen Brunson is holding player-only meetings, and concerns about head coach Mike Brown are coming from inside the locker room, which is never good.
During this rough patch, Towns is averaging 17.9 points and shooting just 33.3 percent on threes and 48.4 percent on twos.
The five-time All-Star is owed $53.1 million this season, $57.1 million next season and has a player option for $61 million in 2027-28. If he continues to struggle and his team continues to struggle, that contract may make him available at a lower cost than some people might think.
Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks
The deal with Davis is well known at this point. He's an All-NBA big man when he's healthy, but he can't stay healthy. The 32-year-old has only played 29 games with the Mavericks since being traded to Dallas nearly a calendar year ago. He's also currently out of action with a hand injury.
Davis is looking for a contract extension, either from the Mavs or from any team that may acquire him. Like Towns, his market is depressed, and the Chicago native could be had at a relative discount.
Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are in the business of trading former face-of-the-franchise point guard Ja Morant if the right offer hits their table. If that happens, there's a chance they also deal Jackson Jr. and hit the bright red reset button.
Jackson was the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2022-23 and has shot 37.4 percent from three over the last two seasons on 5.0 attempts per game. His ability to stretch the floor on one end and protect the rim on the other is worth Chicago going all in for if he becomes available.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee has been in a season-long tailspin and it's painfully clear that the Bucks won't compete for titles anytime soon. That's all Antetokounmpo is interested in, which makes it a matter of when, not if, he exits the Cream City.
If the Bulls have an actual opportunity to acquire the two-time MVP, tossing a handful of first-rounders at Milwaukee -- and Buzelis, if it comes down to it -- should be a no-brainer.
Now someone just needs to let Karnisovas know that it's OK to take a swing on an All-NBA-type player and aim for something other than the Play-In Tournament.