The 2023-24 NBA season is finally getting underway. Some teams around the league know exactly what they want to do – win an NBA title.
Other teams are aware that player development is their main priority this season. Meanwhile, some teams don’t have as clear of an outlook.
Take the Chicago Bulls. This team was built to win now. Yet, that was the case last year as well – and the Bulls didn’t do much winning. They had a tremendously disappointing 2022-23 season. What will the Bulls do next?
In all likelihood, they’re going to wait and see. For now, the Bulls hope to turn their fortunes around and get in the playoff hunt. If they can’t, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if this team decided to rebuild.
Here are three deals that have them doing just that.
Trade No. 1: Chicago Bulls Send Alex Caruso to Houston Rockets
Chicago Bulls Receive: G/F Victor Oladipo, 2024 First-Round Pick (BKN via HOU)
Houston Rockets Receive: G/F Alex Caruso
Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets have a unique outlook on 2023-24. Their goals over the last few years have been clear-tank and focused on development. This year, the calculus is a bit different. The Rockets are trying to take a step forward. That’s why they brought Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, and others in this summer.
The Rockets have a clear focus, too – the defensive end of the floor. So, why not trade for Alex Caruso? Houston just sent Kevin Porter Jr. and some draft capital to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Victor Oladipo and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.
It seems likely that they’ll move Oladipo by the deadline. Here, they’re flipping him for one of the best defensive guards in the NBA. In all likelihood, the Bulls won’t be interested in Oladipo either.
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They will be interested in his expiring contract, as well as the unprotected first-round pick that they’re landing here. With that said, the Bulls have bigger stars to move than Caruso. What could they get for DeMar DeRozan?
Trade No. 2: Chicago Bulls Send DeMar DeRozan to Los Angeles Lakers
Chicago Bulls Receive: F Rui Hachimura, G Gabe Vincent, 2029 First-Round Pick (Lottery Protected – LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G/F DeMar DeRozan
We know what you’re thinking. If Alex Caruso is worth an unprotected first, why isn’t DeMar DeRozan? Well, there are a couple of reasons. For starters, the Chicago Bulls landed Rui Hachimura here – he’s an intriguing young player with the trade value of roughly a first-round pick.
Secondly, DeRozan is older, a weak defender, and a non-shooter. He may not land the Bulls a tremendous haul. With that in mind, this is a solid return. Hachimura had a breakout in last year’s playoffs. He’s a good addition to a rebuilding roster.
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Meanwhile, this pick may be lottery-protected, but it’s still an asset for the Bulls to add to their collection. Provided, of course, that the Los Angeles Lakers are even interested in DeRozan. They may not. His inability to space the floor might make him a questionable fit alongside LeBron James.
Either way, the Bulls have one more star to move – and he’s the biggest name on their roster.
Trade No. 3: Chicago Bulls Send Zach LaVine To New York Knicks
Chicago Bulls Receive: G/F RJ Barrett, G/F Evan Fournier, 2026 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2028 First-Round Pick (NYK)
New York Knicks Receive: G/F Zach LaVine
Indeed, you expected to see the New York Knicks here. They’re always linked to the big names. LaVine is no exception. We’re far from the first to suggest this arrangement. Could the Knicks finally cash in some chips for a superstar?
We think this would be a good use of their assets. The Knicks have an impressive collection of draft capital – they could make this trade and still have some to spare for another move. They also had one of the best offenses in the NBA last year. Adding LaVine to their already potent attack could make them unguardable.
As for the Bulls, they’re taking a flyer on Barrett here. He hasn’t quite put it together for the Knicks yet, but he’s still young enough to improve.
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Throw in two unprotected firsts and an expiring contract, and this could be enough for the Bulls to move on from LaVine. In the end, we’ll see how their 2023-24 season is going soon.
