Fireworks are on the horizon over Lake Michigan due to the Chicago Bulls impending implosion. Following several up-and-down seasons for the Bulls, the rebuild will reportedly come to fruition sooner rather than later. The Bulls are 11th in the Eastern Conference at 8-13 and possess the 24th-worst record in the NBA. Retaining a bottom-10 record is of the essence. If Chicago wins too many games, inching into the 11-30 draft range, they'll convey their first-round draft pick to the San Antonio Spurs.
Rumor has it the Bulls are keen on drafting in the top 10 for the first time in over four years. Not a poor strategy, considering Chicago's complete and utter lack of direction in recent seasons. Fighting for a play-in spot year after year isn't a recipe for success, thus, initiating a full-fledged rebuild is in the Bulls' best interest.
It's common knowledge that Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic are on the trade block, dating back to last season, but several other Bulls will likely see the door over the next year. Recently, it was revealed Chicago is open to a fire sale going as far as to include Lonzo Ball and even recent draftees Dalen Terry and Julian Phillips in trade talks.
The Bulls' inactivity has bewildered those around the league
However, the timing of the Bulls' Front Office's decision-making is unusual. After an impressive 2021-22 campaign that was eventually derailed by Ball's notorious knee injuries, the Bulls missed the playoffs in each of the last two seasons.
Despite the lack of success, Chicago retained its core in hopes of…internal improvement? That we may not know the answer to. Nevertheless, the shortage of moves is staggering when considering the Bulls' all-in approach just a year prior to their first playoff appearance in four seasons. Chicago acquired Vucevic, Ball, DeMar DeRozan, and Alex Caruso over a five-month span in 2021 to push the needle.
The current iteration of the Bulls is eerily similar to that of their 2022 playoff squad, sans arguably their best offensive player, DeRozan, and undoubtedly their best defender, Caruso. After winning only 40 games in the 2022-23 season, a six-win decrease from the Bulls' only playoff campaign this decade, the writing should have been on the wall. But the Bulls ran it back, only to win 39 games a season ago. To make matters worse Chicago failed to capitalize on numerous intriguing trade offers amid an underperforming season.
Chicago botched last season's trade deadline
According to NBA Insider Jake Fischer, the Bulls had a deal in place to send Caruso to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for multiple first-round picks. Quite the haul considering Chicago eventually dealt their All-NBA defender to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for a player who was benched during the postseason—Josh Giddey.
Giddey hasn't been a total disaster, but his play has been less than stellar. The 6-foot-8 guard has averaged 11.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game while converting on 36.1 percent of his triples. Giddey's point totals are lower than ever. However, his assists and three-point percentages are career-best.
Despite the decent statistical output, Giddey's acquisition still comes with an asterisk. After three seasons in Oklahoma City, a new contract loomed for the 23-year-old playmaker. The Bulls and Giddey failed to come to terms in the offseason, allowing the former sixth-overall pick to enter restricted free agency in 2025.
It's still too early to tell if the Giddey acquisition was a misfire, but two first-round picks surely sound more tantalizing than an adequate player who may walk in the offseason. Aside from the Caruso miscalculation, Chicago reportedly fielded an offer for Andre Drummond prior to last season's trade deadline.
The Philadelphia 76ers were willing to send multiple second-rounders in exchange for the rebounding specialist. In a turn of events, the Bulls decided against trading Drummond, only to let the 6-foot-11 big man leave in free agency. Ironically enough, Drummond signed with Philadelphia five months later.
Instead of stockpiling draft picks for aging veterans, the Bulls only have Giddey to show for it. There's even an argument to be made Chicago could have dealt DeRozan at the 2024 trade deadline in exchange for more than Chris Duarte and a couple of second-rounders.
The coming months will be crucial for the Bulls, as evidenced by the failure to make moves at last season's deadline. If teams come calling, it'll be in Chicago's best interest to facilitate trades and acquire draft capital rather than holding onto players who will eventually depart for nothing.