Some fans want the Chicago Bulls to blow up the roster and start over. Others hope with luck the Bulls can get back in the playoffs next season with some tweaks.
Chicago seems reluctant to do a full-scale rebuild, so something that embraces both philosophies may be the compromise fans are going to have to live with.
If the Bulls bring back DeMar DeRozan and can’t find a home for Zach LaVine, they will be stuck financially with little cap space to make impact additions. So, it would be more of the same without a boost of young talent outside of the 11th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
But if the Bulls were willing to move on from one of their valuable veterans, they might be able to reload on young talent while still competing next season.
Chicago Bulls: Trading Alex Caruso
Trading Caruso would be tough, as what he does is not easy to replace. He’s one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA and shoots over 40 percent from long range, traits that play on any team. But that’s also what makes him a valuable commodity.
Bleacher Report recently named Caruso as a possible trade target for the Atlanta Hawks, who want to break up their current backcourt of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray for a better-fitting guard.
You won’t find many better fits for Trae Young than Caruso, who can cover some of Young's weaknesses on defense and help spread the floor on offense without constantly needing the ball in his hands.
Murray doesn’t make much sense for the Bulls, but if they found a third team that wanted him, dealing Caruso could pay off for Chicago in a 3-team trade.