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NBA Rumors: Rival teams anticipating a big Chicago Bulls fire sale

By Cal Durrett

NBA Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls looks on against the Utah Jazz during the first half at the United Center on November 06, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
NBA Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls looks on against the Utah Jazz during the first half at the United Center on November 06, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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The Chicago Bulls are among the league’s most confusing teams. Despite having plenty of talent, including three NBA all-stars, they have struggled to win games. That has led to plenty of speculation that the Bulls will make drastic changes between now and the trade deadline. In fact, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, other teams have been sending representatives to Bulls games to scout their players.

It’s not surprising that teams are eager to see whether the Bulls will decide to blow it up. After all, despite having a mediocre team, they have several good players that are sure to interest rival teams, including Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, and Alex Caruso. If the Bulls finally decide to hit the reset button, they would likely receive several first-round picks in exchange for those players.

NBA Rumors: Rival teams anticipating a Chicago Bulls fire sale

That would help their rebuild while also allowing them to bottom out and maximize their pick in next year’s NBA draft. After losing their lottery pick to the Orlando Magic as a result of the Vucevic trade, they could use a young building block and their best chance of getting one is likely through the draft.

Opting to move on from their best players sooner rather than later would be the best thing for their franchise and keep them from getting stuck. At the moment, they are in NBA purgatory— good enough to almost make the playoffs but not bad enough to get a high draft pick. They also owe a future first-round pick to the San Antonio Spurs that is lightly protected between 2025 and 2027, increasing the need to bottom out to avoid giving up another high lottery pick.

It remains to be seen whether the Bulls will trade their best players. But if they do, then they will have plenty of teams ready to trade them assets, allowing Chicago to finally rebuild.

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