The Chicago Bulls made headlines yesterday when they traded veteran guard Alex Caruso to the OKC Thunder for Josh Giddey.
It was a risky move for Chicago, who took on the promise of the 21-year-old Giddey, who saw his role reduced in the playoffs this season because of his limitations as a shooter.
The Bulls reportedly turned down a better deal at last year’s deadline, but considering Caruso is on an expiring contract, this might have been the best of what was left, though it’s hard to imagine there weren’t other offers out there. It's not an exciting return unless there is more to come.
Is this a sign that the Bulls are finally rebuilding? We’ll have to wait and see. If so, Zach LaVine could be next and there are already teams rumored to be circling.
Chicago Bulls rumors: 76ers, Jazz and Zach LaVine
K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago reported that the Zach LaVine trade rumors are heating up again and named some specific possibilities:
"League sources reiterated that the Bulls remain active on several trade fronts centered on Zach LaVine, including with the Utah Jazz and Philadelphia 76ers. "
The 76ers have been mentioned as a possibility for LaVine in the past, and the Jazz have cap space and a need for another impact player.
Here is one possible trade with each of them, both which net the Bulls a decent return for LaVine.
Chicago Bulls trade Zach LaVine to the Philadelphia 76ers for the 41st pick and a 2026 1st-round pick
The 76ers were rumored to require a pick to take on LaVine’s contract in the past, so this might be a pipe dream return for the Bulls.
But the 76ers have reportedly cooled on their pursuit of Paul George and may be looking for an alternative.
Given that they have only one player under contract for next season (Joel Embiid), the 76ers can’t offer anything other than cap space and possible draft assets.
In this trade, the Bulls get their own second-round pick back in 2024 and a future first-round pick in 2026 that would likely be heavily protected if the 76ers were even willing to part with it. They do have an extra pick in 2026 but may think that too high a cost to take on three years of LaVine.
At the very least, the Bulls should be able to get a middling second-round pick for LaVine, but there may be a better deal out there.
Chicago Bulls trade Zach LaVine to the Utah Jazz for John Collins and the #32 pick
The Jazz are another team with cap space looking to make a splash and they have more ammo to do it when it comes to Zach LaVine.
In this trade, the Bulls swap LaVine for John Collins and a second-round pick. The Jazz have a logjam at his position with Markkanen and Hendricks and would probably like to get off his deal, which still has two years left at $26 million per season.
The Bulls get a decent player in Collins, instant cap relief and he has one less year on his contract than LaVine, so Chicago would get more future financial flexibility as well.
Would the Jazz include a pick that is a borderline first rounder? They already have two picks in the first round (the Bulls would try for one of those first) and don’t have roster spots for three more players.
As more free agents sign contracts, teams will get more desperate, which should create some opportunities for the Bulls to finally trade Zach LaVine.