Two things can be true for the Chicago Bulls:
(1) They lost the trade. How they didn’t get more for Alex Caruso is a question that kept me up last night. I wish I were exaggerating with that comment, but these are the ridiculous plights of a full-time Bulls blogger. Whether it be under the context of what they missed out on during the trade deadline or what they failed to negotiate this week, the front office screwed this up. Alex Caruso was the better asset, and you’re trading with an organization that has more first-round picks than a meadow has blades of grass. You had the leverage, and you failed to take advantage of it.
(2) The trade suggests that significant change is coming. The front office appears prepared to go in a direction that prioritizes long-term success and player development. And that’s an undisputable positive. Well, as long as the looks aren’t deceiving!
You typically don’t trade a two-time All-Defensive guard and expect to get better. Now, if any team were to misinterpret that, it would 100 percent be the Chicago Bulls. We’re still waiting on the reports that tell us DeMar DeRozan is no longer in the future plans – who simply doesn’t make sense next to a player like Giddey. I also couldn’t help but feel a shiver down my spine after reading one of .
The NBA insider mentioned the Chicago Bulls could be a possible landing spot for 31-year-old wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The fact this report comes one day after the Bulls acquired a 21-year-old𓂃 project piece is all kinds♋ of concerning. KCP is a win-now role player who has consistently suited up for contenders. In what world does adding him now make sense?
But even the Bulls can’t be that stupid, right? RIGHT!? One can only hope 🃏they understand that continuing to take a step backward is the only path worth exploring after trading ღCaruso. Indeed, the time is now to finally throw a fire sale.
Are the Bulls About to Blow It Up?
For what it’s worth, we’ve at least gotten SOME signs that Chicago’s significant roster overhaul isn’t done yet. NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson has reported numerous points of contact for the Bulls in a Zach LaVine trade. More specifically, in a recent column.
also implied that Lonzo Ball’s future is up in the air. Giddey could very easily be viewed as his replacement, meaning the Bulls could very well look to get off Ball’s contract this summer. Doing that would open up even more financial flexibility to re-sign someone like Patrick Williams and possibly pursue other young talent.
While we’ve heard less about the futures of Nikola Vucevic and DeMar DeRozan, we can’t say either is a gimmie to return to the United Center. Let’s not forget, that the Bulls have the option to reach a new deal with DeMar DeRozan RIGHT NOW. Teams were allowed to negotiate new deals with their own players the day after the NBA Finals. We’ve heard about zero traction on a new contract thus far. All we have heard in recent months is that DeRozan turned down a two-year extension with the organization.
As for Vucevic, a rumor tied the Bulls to the Atlanta Hawks’ Clint Capela. Putting aside the fact that this deal would make very little sense for the organization’s seemingly new direction, it alludes to the Bulls being interested in other options at center. We’ve also heard them attached to big men Donovan Clingan and Zach Edey in the weeks leading up to the 2024 NBA Draft.
All signs appear to point toward Alex Caruso’s trade being the first domino in an honesty teardown. If it’s not, well, it darn well should be. Get to work, AK!
