Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Trades: The 8 players most likely to be traded in 2023

By Cal Durrett

Dec 31, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan (11) in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan (11) in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 7
Next
DeMar DeRozan, Vucevic, NBA
DeMar DeRozan, Vucevic, NBA, Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

NBA Trades: DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucivic

The Chicago Bulls’ season is quickly going off the rails. They are only 11–17, have lost five in a row, and are coming off a recent loss in which they gave up 150 points to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Things aren’t going well in Chicago, and their front office could be inching ever closer to the nuclear option. That would mean trading DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic. It would be a bold move but based on how things are going at the moment, it is increasingly looking like the right decision.

Currently, only one team has been linked to the Bulls. That said, if Chicago makes it known that they are both available, then more teams could be open to dealing for two All-Stars. By moving on from DeRozan and Vucinic, the Bulls would presumably restock their bare draft cupboard and worsen their pick in the 2023 NBA draft. That could possibly allow them to keep it.

However, their pick is only top four protected; otherwise, it would convey to the Orlando Magic, giving the Bulls plenty of incentive to try and tank. Finishing with the fourth-worst record would mean a 25% drop at Wembanyama or Henderson, allowing the team to reset after a couple of disastrous trades with the Magic and Spurs.

If they were to land either player, they could either look to move Zach Lavine or keep him and try to retool the team without a full rebuild. Neither would happen without DeRozan and Vucinic first being moved, and it seems more likely by the day.