This trade gets the Bulls closer to where they want to be
For the Bulls, the goal would be to get off of Lavine's contract and fully embrace the rebuild. While they would not be receiving immediate salary cap relief, three of the four players they would be receiving in the return are on expiring deals. Bones Hyland, P.J. Tucker, and Amir Coffey all become free agents following the 2024-25 season. Norman Powell remains under contract through the 2025-26 season.
Chicago could use the first half of the 2024-25 season to build the trade value of the players involved in the trade in hopes of flipping them to contenders for draft picks. Not having much of a choice in what they can get back for Lavine, trading him to the Clippers would be the best bet for Chicago to enter a rebuild. With reports saying Lavine is expected to be fully healthy by the time training camp arrives, there is a possibility the Bulls could move on from him before the start of the season.