It’s the third straight season that the Chicago Bulls failed to eclipse 30 regular-season wins, and the fourth time in the last five years that they missed the playoffs. The Bulls, with a talented young core of Coby White, Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen, Otto Porter Jr, and Wendell Carter, failed to meet even their lowest expectations last season. The disappointment led to the firing of Jim Boylen, and a massive turnover in the front office that caused the departure of long-tenured executives John Paxson and Gar Forman.
The Bulls will be entering the draft armed with the fourth overall pick, but there’s the possibility that they would try moving up. Jonathan Givony of ESPN mentioned that Chicago is interested in trading up to take either one of the top two spots in the draft.
Having said that, let’s whip up some trade ideas that the Bulls can make to move up in the upcoming 2020 NBA Draft.
Taking number one
Wolves receive: Coby White, Thaddeus Young, 2020 4th overall pick
Bulls receive: James Johnson, 2020 1st overall pick
The Bulls are rumored to be high on LaMelo Ball’s potential, and this trade is one avenue they should take to nab the 6-foot-8 playmaker. There’s no doubt that losing White will spell a huge void for the Bulls on offense. But the team also direly needs more playmaking, a facet that Ball is far better than White.
For the Timberwolves, they receive a 6’6 combo guard in White who can either start or fulfil a valuable sixth man role. The acquisition of a seasoned veteran Young will also help fast-track their young team’s development, not to mention that Young’s versatility can complement Karl-Anthony Towns in the frontcourt.
The Bulls would be taking a huge risk with this move, but it depends on how high of a value are they placing on Ball.
Tempt the Warriors
Warriors receive: Otto Porter Jr., Wendell Carter Jr., 2020 4th overall pick
Bulls receive: Andrew Wiggins, 2020 2nd overall pick
By trading away Carter in this deal, the Bulls could go after James Wiseman. During his workouts, Wiseman has caught the attention of scouts all over the league, an excellent indicator that the athletic 7-foot-1 big man is not as raw as we thought he still is. Wiggins will give them another shot creator, along with his defensive skill set that vastly improved with the Golden State Warriors last season.
As for Golden State, getting Porter will be a safer risk to take than experimenting with Wiggins as he is already an established 3-and-D player. The acquisition of Carter will provide them that much-needed length on the frontcourt, and they still have a shot at nabbing an elite prospect with the 4th overall selection.
Swap Carter for Rozier
Hornets receive: Wendell Carter Jr., Thaddeus Young, 2020 4th overall pick
Bulls receive: Terry Rozier, 2020 3rd overall pick, Two 2021 second-round draft picks (via Nets and Clippers)
The sudden rise to prominence by young point guard Devonte’ Graham has made Rozier expendable in Charlotte, and it won’t be a surprise if they place him on the trading block this offseason. Trading Rozier in exchange for a capable big man will be a priority for the Hornets, and they will get that in the form of a mobile rim protector like Carter.
For the Bulls, they should only make this trade if both the Wolves and the Warriors pass up on Wiseman. Rozier has a lucrative salary that will be on their books until the 2021-22 season, and it’s not sure if he can mesh well with LaVine on the backcourt. But Wiseman’s potential as an excellent frontcourt partner for Markkanen is indeed intriguing for the Bulls.
