2. Andre Drummond
Andre Drummond surprised me this summer when he made the decision to opt into his player option and return to the Chicago Bulls to back up incumbent starting center Nikola Vucevic. I believed his play off the bench was strong enough to secure him a more lucrative deal in free agency, but it seems Drummond wasn't finished surprising me just yet.
That's because he's stepped up and taken things to an even higher level this season. The big man is averaging 7.9 points and 8.5 rebounds in just 16.2 minutes per game off the bench. To no one's surprise, he is the league leader in rebounding percentage at 29.1% — the next closest player being Day'Ron Sharpe at 23.4%, not even close to being in the same stratosphere as Drummond.
Several teams in the league could use some added strength and size on the boards off the bench, and there's nobody better at that one job than Drummond. Recent rumors suggest that Drummond could fetch three second-round picks, or even a first-round pick if the Bulls decide to make him available today.
1. Alex Caruso
it should come as no surprise to see Alex Caruso at the top of this list. In the midst of his best season yet, Caruso is averaging career-highs in points, rebounds, blocks, field goal percentage, and three-point percentage. Always a defensive stalwart, the addition of a reliable three-point shot has made Caruso a lethal two-way threat.
If the Bulls were to make him available via trade, he would fetch a first-round pick and a promising young prospect from virtually every competitive team in the league, possibly even two first-round picks. Set to turn 30 years old later this month, this may be Chicago's best chance to trade Caruso at his highest value, considering his age and injury history.
Simply put, very few players in the NBA today are producing at as high of a level for as cheap of a cost as Caruso. The All-Defensive Team guard is contracted through the end of next season, meaning that championship-contending teams would be willing to give up even more in return if it means they'll get two shots at a title with Caruso on their roster.