Right now, any news surrounding the Chicago Bulls begins and ends with the trade market.
How well or how poorly veterans like Nikola Vucevic and Lonzo Ball play affects their trade value more than the Bulls' record. (Although if they play well and Chicago still loses, all the better.)
If the front office truly wants to kick off a full reset and do its best to hold onto its first-round pick in the 2025 draft, trading Vucevic is the most likely scenario. The 34-year-old center is having a fantastic offensive season, especially in terms of shooting efficiency.
Contenders in need of a stretch five and double-double machine should be willing to trade for Chicago's big man.
Ball has been healthy for most of this season and while he hasn't been the kind of player he was before his three knee surgeries, he's still been one of the Bulls' most important pieces. Having a player with Ball's skill set and basketball IQ on a $21.4 million expiring contract should also pique the interest of contending teams.
Trading LaVine would be the ideal scenario for Chicago, though—as unlikely as it may seem. If the 29-year-old, who's having an All-Star-caliber season, starts to miss games or regress as a scorer, that severely decreases the Bulls' leverage, which is already light to begin with.
Chicago's star guard is on the injury report for tonight's game against the Portland Trail Blazers, and it's imperative he suits up and continues to produce at a high level. Will that be the case?
Zach LaVine's injury status for Bulls at Trail Blazers
LaVine is listed as probable for tonight's game in Portland, which is a good sign and solid designation for Chicago. It appears his right patella tendinitis isn't severe enough to keep him on the bench.
Unfortunately, that's not the case for a few of the Bulls' other tradeable vets.
The Trail Blazers aren't entering tonight's game without a handful of maladies of their own, however.
Full injury report for Chicago Bulls at Portland Trail Blazers
Tonight's complete injury report is as follows:
Chicago Bulls
Out: Lonzo Ball (knee); Jevon Carter (illness); Adama Sanogo (knee); Torrey Craig (lower leg)
Questionable: Talen Horton-Tucker (knee)
Probable: Zach LaVine (right patella tendinitis)
Portland Trail Blazers
Out: Donovan Clingan (left ankle); Matisse Thybulle (right ankle); Robert Williams III (left ankle)
Questionable: Anfernee Simons (right elbow)
Probable: Deandre Ayton (lower back); Deni Avdija (right ankle)