There’s no point in resisting the inevitable. This seems to be a lesson that some NBA teams won’t learn. The entire basketball-watching world may see an obvious decision for a team to make.
Somehow, that team may want to make an entirely different decision. Look at the Chicago Bulls. Everyone wants this team to rebuild. Apparently, the Bulls have other plans.
Recently, it’s been reported that Chicago would prefer to trade for a player who can help them win now. Who are we to argue?
Still, if the Bulls are going to make a move for a win-now player, he’d better be under 30. Otherwise, there’d be no way to justify their decision.
Could they reunite with Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz?
NBA Trade Proposal: Chicago Bulls Land Utah Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen
Utah Jazz Receive: G/F Zach LaVine, 2024 First-Round Pick (CHI), 2027 First-Round Pick (CHI)
Chicago Bulls Receive: F/C John Collins, F Lauri Markkanen
Have the Jazz been resisting the inevitable? You could make that case. When this team traded Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, they were expected to rebuild. The Jazz were supposed to be among the worst teams in the NBA.
Last year, that didn’t happen. The Jazz got off to a torrid start in 2022-23. Eventually, they would cool off. Arguably, this was a disaster. The Jazz cost themselves a spot in the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz, Chicago Bulls Updates
At the same time, they’ve got to be happy with the performance of rookie Keyonte George so far. In the end, there are multiple ways to rebuild an NBA team. Still, the Jazz are among the league’s worst teams in 2023-24.
Is it time for them to trade Markkanen?
Why The Utah Jazz Do The Deal
By all accounts, the Jazz don’t want to do this. Rumors suggest that they’re not interested in trading Markkanen. Fair enough. Markkanen is only 26. No matter what direction Utah is taking, they can justify hanging onto him.
On the other hand, Wembanyama isn’t the only potential MVP who will be coming into the NBA. Cooper Flagg looks fantastic. Cameron Boozer has limitless upside. Arguably, it’s time for Utah to start focusing on the future.
That would mean trading Markkanen. Sure, they’re landing LaVine in the process. That’s fine. He doesn’t impact winning on the same level as Markkanen.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz, Chicago Bulls Updates
Moreover, he may be easier to move this summer if he plays well in Utah – he’ll have one less year on his contract as well. In the meantime, the Jazz are mostly doing this deal for a pair of first-round picks.
Should the Bulls give up assets for Markkanen?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
Probably not. This isn’t necessarily what we’d do. Instead, it’s something we think the Bulls would like to do. Yet, we’ll try to justify it anyway – after all, that’s what we’re doing here.
Markkanen would be joining Nikola Vucevic to form perhaps the sweetest shooting frontcourt in the NBA. That should offset the poor floor spacing of DeMar DeRozan. Meanwhile, the remaining presence of Alex Caruso should offset any defensive shortcomings that this group has.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz, Chicago Bulls Updates
This would be a better-balanced Bulls team. Meanwhile, the team isn’t so low in the standings that they couldn’t make a playoff run. Whether this is advisable or not, we can justify it. It’s possible that the Bulls can resist the inevitable – or at least delay it.
