When an NBA team trades a first-round pick or two, they make one thing clear: they believe in themselves. 

It’s a statement. The team is saying that they don’t need their picks. They’re assuming they’ll land later in the draft anyway – you can have them. 

The Chicago Bulls must have had that confidence when they traded for Nikola Vucevic. They sent Wendell Carter Jr. and two first-round picks to the Orlando Magic in exchange for the sweet-shooting big man. 

They probably regret that decision. Now, their best hope is the top-4 protection on the pick – otherwise, it looks likely that they’ll send the Magic a lottery selection. They could get it back – but it will cost them. 

Could it cost them Zach LaVine?