It's plain to see the Chicago Bulls should not be aiming for a playoff berth in 2024-25.
Even if Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic stick around all season, the Bulls should be picking near the top of a loaded 2025 NBA Draft rather than losing a game in the Play-In Tournament.
At this juncture, that means Chicago should be collecting every asset it possibly can, whether that be future picks or young players, even if they're highly protected selections or former lottery busts.
Taking stuff and throwing it at the wall to see what sticks should be the Bulls' roster-building plan.
In a mock trade put together by Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus, Chicago does just that by sidling into a three-way deal involving the Los Angeles Lakers and Washington Wizards.
The trade: Lakers stock up, Wizards rebuild, Bulls get Baldwin Jr., Davis
Here's the trade in its entirety:
Lakers receive:
- Malcolm Brogdon
- Jonas Valanciunas
- Jevon Carter
Wizards receive:
- D'Angelo Russell
- Gabe Vincent
- Jalen Hood-Schifino
- Christian Wood
- Cam Reddish
- 2029 first-round pick (via LAL, top-5 protected)
- 3 trade exceptions
Bulls receive:
- Johnny Davis
- Patrick Baldwin Jr.
- $1.2 million trade exception (Jevon Carter)
It's easy to see why the Lakers would do this deal. They would receive a massive (literally) upgrade at center to ease the burden on Anthony Davis and a steady, veteran guard in Malcolm Brogdon, who fits with LA's roster more snugly than Russell.
The Wizards are aiming to be one of the worst teams in the league. Here, they get some expiring contracts, prospects and a highly coveted 2029 first from the Lakers. They could also re-route Russell if they so choose.
Why the Bulls would make the trade
There's really no reason for the Bulls not to make this trade.
Chicago is already set at point guard with Coby White, Josh Giddey, Ayo Dosunmu and potentially Lonzo Ball in the mix.
Carter never really caught on in The Windy City. He averaged just 5.0 points and shot 32.9 percent from three in less than 14 minutes per game last year, his first in Chicago.
Baldwin Jr. and Davis, meanwhile, have never really caught on in the NBA in general.
Davis has just about officially earned the "draft bust" label after only two seasons. The former Wisconsin standout was the No. 10 pick in the 2022 draft but has only played in 78 NBA games with career averages of 4.0 points on 39.4 percent shooting and 28.2 percent shooting from deep.
Even in his 25 career G League games, Davis has averaged an inefficient 10.8 points.
Baldwin was the 28th pick in that same draft but has at least shown some semblance of an NBA skill as he shot 38.1 percent from three in 31 games as a rookie with the Golden State Warriors.
Neither Davis nor Baldwin are exciting prospects, and there's a good chance neither become part of the Bulls' future. But there's no risk in finding out when the price is a 29-year-old career backup.