NBA Trades: 1 potential last-minute deal to shake up all 30 NBA teams

NBA Trades: Chicago Bulls

It is no secret that the New Orleans Pelicans need a starting center, and the Chicago Bulls have one that might be a nice fit in NOLA. They could trade Nikola Vucevic and Javon Carter to the Pelicans for CJ McCollum and a 2025 first-round pick. Vucevic's value by itself may not be worth a first but the Pelicans gave McCollum a big extension that will pay him more than $65 million over the next two seasons.

Although he is still playing well, having him for that price doesn't make much since, especially with their need for a center. With the Chicagos' help, they can turn him into a starting five and a backup guard while saving $15 million in the process over the next two seasons. It would cost them a first-rounder but that might be worth it and it likely would for Chicago too.

They can even flip McCollum to another team later on while taking on another bad contract and taking back another pick or two. That would help them tank for the top pick in the 2025 NBA draft and add to their draft pick treasure chest. Thus, they should be open to a deal with the Pelicans.