It would be tough, but this is a trade the Bulls should make

With the Chicago Bulls entering what is seen as a rebuild without admitting it, there are many questions heading into the 2024-25 season. While most of the focus is on the future of Zach LaVine, there are several young stars on the team who would bring back significant value to the Chicago Bulls.

One of the bright spots for the Bulls last season was Ayo Dosunmu. Signing a three-year, $21 million contract in the summer of 2023, many questioned the re-signing of the young guard after a sophomore slump. Ayo would be one of several players to see an increase in play and performance with Zach LaVine missing much of the season.

Jumping from 8.6 PPG to 12.2 PPG while seeing increased shooting splits across the board, Ayo's contract is now seen as a steal from Bulls' management, as well as a potential steal from teams across the league interested in the young guard.

The Chicago Bulls should trade Ayo Dosunmu

In a proposed trade from Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes, Ayo would be heading to the Bulls biggest Central Division rival, the Milwaukee Bucks. The deal would see the Bulls send their young star to the Bucks for Pat Connaughton and a 2031 first-round pick swap.

While this proposal would likely recieve negative feedback from Bulls fans, this may be a smart move for the team as they enter a rebuild. After a great third season, Ayo's stock may never be higher, especially with the deal he is currently on. The current Bulls management regime has had a history of holding to assets too long, letting them lose value. .

In the last several seasons, the Bulls have held on to Alex Caruso too long, losing out on multiple draft picks resulting in a one-for-one deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder for Josh Giddey, as well as holding on to DeMar DeRozan too long, resulting in a sign-and-trade landing Chris Duarte and a couple second-round picks

Heading into a rebuild, draft picks are necessary. Trading away several draft picks during the big three era, the organization is in a dangerous spot heading into this new era. While the proposed trade gives the Bulls a pick they won't have until 2031, the Milwaukee Bucks could be far from a contender by then.

With the focus for the 2024-25 Bulls needing to be to keep their top-10 protected pick owed to the San Antonio Spurs (as a part of the 2021 DeMar DeRozan trade), trading Dosunmu would help the Bulls in their pursuit of keeping the pick.

Acquiring Pat Connaughton would give the Bulls an opportunity to flip him for a future asset. Entering his 10th season in the league, Connaughton could be an asset for a contender looking for a small contract. Set to make $9.4 million for the next two seasons before becoming a unrestricted free agent in 2026, Connaughton's deal will only look better as the salary cap increases. Averaging 5.6 PPG, 3.1 RPG, and 2.1 APG in just over 22 minutes per game, he could potentially bring back second-round picks in a trade or could be attached in a Zach LaVine trade.

With Ayo becoming a Bulls fan favorite, the proposed trade to the Bucks is a hard pill to swallow for Bulls fans. While its hard to argue if Ayo could become more than he is now, his value given his contract may never be higher. With the Bulls entering a rebuild, trading Ayo now may be the best option for the organization moving forward.