After an impressive start to the 2021-22 NBA season, the Chicago Bulls were unable to have it translate to postseason success. They now enter the offseason with the need to reconfigure the roster but face no shortage of questions.
For starters, Zach LaVine played through knee issues and recently underwent arthroscopic surgery. The Bulls must handle his upcoming free agency before getting too deep into reconfiguring the rest of the roster around DeMar DeRozan and the rest of the core.
Gaining Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso back from their respective injuries will help the Bulls with depth to begin next season. They will also undoubtedly make a significant impact on their defense. However, are there are potential questions about the anchor of the unit.
Nikola Vucevic has never been a defensive stalwart by any stretch. The Orlando Magic teams that defended well with him did so despite having him, not because of him. Is that too limiting for the Bulls to contend for a championship?
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If the Bulls decide the answer to that question is ‘yes’ this offseason, a trade could be a logical avenue to explore. The Dallas Mavericks moved on from Kristaps Porzingis midseason in a deal with the Washington Wizards. Could they be of interest to Vucevic if he were to reach the trade block?
Let’s look at a hypothetical NBA trade scenario featuring Nikola Vucevic that would land him to the Dallas Mavericks.