As we approach the NBA's trade deadline at 3 p.m. ET later today, the Chicago Bulls have plenty of questions that need answering. Is this team going to continually throw itself at a brick wall, or is it ready to initiate a rebuild? Will the front office risk letting their key free agents walk in free agency, or is it time to initiate a firesale and usher in the Coby White era?
Time will tell, as Bulls president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas has scheduled a post-deadline presser to meet with the media. In the meantime, we can safely cross off Chicago's young core of White, Ayo Dosunmu, and Patrick Williams from the chopping block today.
But who is still on that list? With Zach LaVine and Lonzo Ball now sidelined for the rest of the season, Chicago may have to shuffle the deck a bit if they want to continue competing for playoff position. Here's a look at Chicago's top five assets that should attract the most attention on the trade market if made available today.
Ranking the Bulls' best trade assets at the deadline
5. Torrey Craig
As one of only two new additions to the roster during last year's free agency period, big expectations were placed on Torrey Craig's shoulders to help elevate Chicago back into playoff contention. Perhaps this was a lot to ask of a player who signed a minimum contract, but the Bulls had to make the most of the cards they were dealt.
Unfortunately, Craig has missed nearly half the season to date after suffering a foot sprain injury in late December during a game against the Miami Heat. Now that he's back in the rotation, I could see another contender inquiring about his services to bolster their depth, especially considering he's on contract through next season as well.
All things considered, Craig has performed very well in the games he's played. Averaging 6.1 points and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 38.2% from beyond the arc prior to his injury, Craig is the exact archetype of 3-and-D wing this team has been looking for to support their core players. In an almost ironic twist of fate, that's also why I suspect another team may attempt to swoop in and trade for the veteran forward today.