Chicago Bulls trades: 4 Teams that need a center
If the Chicago Bulls are actually interested in rebuilding and not just chasing the 10th seed for eternity, then two things have to happen:
They need to trade Zach LaVine and not take back any long-term money. Good luck with that.
Trading Nikola Vucevic should also be on the agenda, as he is not part of the long-term plans and is just good enough to keep them from retaining their top-10 protected pick in 2025.
Trading Vucevic should be easier, but so far no market has developed and there is also the pesky issue of the Bulls being thin at center already.
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But there are teams that are trying to compete next season who may be in need of his services, which would allow the Bulls to bottom out and move on with their young core.
4 Teams that need a center: Will they call the Bulls about Nikola Vucevic?
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pels are trying to compete this season with a center rotation of rookie Yves Missi and Daniel Theis. They made the big move for DeJounte Murray to compete for a title next season which isn’t going to be easy with that frontcourt, even if Zion Williamson does stay healthy.
On paper, Vucevic is a good fit as a floor spreader, so the Pels are a team the Bulls should be calling.
New York Knicks
It’s hard to see a world in which Tom Thibodeau would put up with Vucevic’s shoddy defense, so this is a long shot, but the Knicks are another team that wants to win a title but has a questionable frontcourt.
Mitchell Robinson is the rim protector they need but he’s always hurt. Precious Achiuwa is more of a tweener big than a real center. Jericho Sims is unproven. If the Knicks were to suffer an injury, they could get desperate enough to give the Bulls a call.
Los Angeles Lakers
We discussed a possible trade between the Lakers and Bulls and it does make some sense. They have just Anthony Davis (who doesn’t want to play center), Jarred Vanderbilt (who is not a center) and Jaxson Hayes, who is not very good. If they want to chase a title they may need an upgrade, one that would allow AD to play the four.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors are putting a whole lot on the shoulders of Steph Curry, who is watching his former dynasty crumble around him. Golden State has just Draymond Green and forward Trayce Jackson-Davis pencilled in at center. Even for the team most known for playing small ball, this is ridiculous. Vucevic potentially works with Draymond at the four, as Green can cover some of his defensive problems and Vuce can theoretically spread the floor.
None of these teams are perfect fits, but they are contenders who lack center options, which the Bulls may be able to take advantage of at some point this season, especially if there are injuries.
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