NBA Rumors:  Long-awaited Bulls firesale complicated by unusual trade demand

The aimless Chicago Bulls finally appear to be picking a direction after getting off to a better-than-expected start. The Bulls are unlikely to make the playoffs and need to keep their first-round pick, which is top 10 protected in 2025 and top 8 protected in 2026 and 2027, out of the hands of the San Antonio Spurs with Chicago appearing ready to rebuild. 

So much so that according to NBA insider Jake Fischer they are open to trading virtually every Bull including Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, and Lonzo Ball. Vucevic even has a reasonable asking price of two second-round picks, which could entice a playoff team that is short of assets but in need of front-court help. 

If they can move LaVine, Vucevic, and Ball then they can bottom out and tank, giving them a better chance at landing the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Even having a 14% chance at selecting Cooper Flagg would be a better strategy than holding onto their veterans and ending up with a middling lottery pick or even losing it to the Spurs.

NBA Rumors:  Long-awaited Bulls firesale complicated by unusual trade demand.

While the possibility of the Bulls moving LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, and Lonzo Ball is high, they also are unwilling to take back long-term contracts. That makes trading those players, especially LaVine far more difficult. 

Teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers could be interested in acquiring LaVine or Vucevic and have a big expiring contract in D'Angelo Russell even though they may not be willing to trade him. Other teams such as the Denver Nuggets could also have interest in Lavine but would have to give up Michael Porter Jr who has three years remaining on his contract.

If the Bulls are dead set are not taking back long-term contracts then they may not be successful in moving on from their three veterans. What is more likely to happen is that they will have to decide between tanking and taking back salary that extends out beyond this season. 

The better option would seemingly be taking back long-term salary if it means getting rid of those three players and getting back assets that they can use to rebuild. 

They don't figure to be a free-agent destination despite playing in a big market since they have no incentive to try and win over the next three seasons. Especially with them owing their first-round pick to the Spurs. Instead, they could look to build through the draft and hope to land a future superstar such as Flagg but that starts with them moving on from their veterans.