How the Bulls can land a future star at the trade deadline

The Chicago Bulls have a lot of questions to answer before the 2024-25 trade deadline. 

Their roster is a confusing half measure stuck between rebuilding and competing, and until they finally trade Zach LaVine, they’ll have that drama hanging over them like a dark cloud. 

The Bulls also have the issues of Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu, two talented and valuable players on team-friendly contracts whose trade value may be at its peak due to their cheap remaining years and production. 

Both players will be difficult to extend off their lowball contracts, so the Bulls may look for ways to cash in before they become expiring contracts who will eventually enter unrestricted free agency. 

Of course, the way the Bulls have managed assets the last few seasons, it wouldn’t be shocking if they just let these two play out their contracts and then lost them for nothing, as they did with DeMar DeRozan. 

But if the Bulls do consider moving one of their best trade assets, there is one team in particular to watch closely next season. 

Chicago Bulls trade with the Houston Rockets 

The Houston Rockets have a problem the Bulls wish they had, which is that they have too much young talent. 

Because of that, they didn’t extend Jalen Green or Alperen Sengun this offseason, instead letting them play out next season and likely becoming restricted free agents. 

Many experts believe the Rockets will end up choosing one and trading the other, as they also have Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith, Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason who might be higher priorities for the long term. 

This is a situation the Bulls should monitor, as they might be able to cash in and add to their young core in a trade.