If the Chicago Bulls want to remain competitive moving forward, they need to make some serious changes this summer. Running back the same core as is would only lead to more middling results. And while Arturas Karnisovas has no interest a rebuild, doing nothing would be an irresponsible choice.
Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan are both All-Star-caliber players and with two guys like that on the roster, there’s no reason the Bulls should be missing the playoffs as they did this past season. In turn, Karnisovas needs to focus on adding winning players to the roster around his stars this summer.
One player Karnisovas needs to have his eyes on is Brook Lopez. The big man is an unrestricted free agent this summer, and bringing him into the fold would completely change the outlook of the Bulls.
At base level, Lopez is worth more than Chicago can give him. Despite being 35 years old, the big man could end up getting offers around the $20 million range this summer, but the Bulls need to at least try to bring him aboard.
The best way for them to do this would be to engage in a sign-and-trade with the Milwaukee Bucks, who could be looking to make changes after getting bounced in the first round this past season.
The real question is, who on the Bulls roster would the Bucks be interested in?
If Chicago wanted to really shake things up, they could ship out one of LaVine or DeRozan in exchange for a combination of Lopez and maybe Grayson Allen. That would improve their center play and add shooting to the roster.
They could also attempt to flip Nikola Vucevic in a deal for Lopez, sign and trading him to Milwaukee. If they did end up landing Lopez, they would likely part ways with Vucevic anyway.
Adding Lopez to the mix would give the Bulls a massive boost on the defensive end and on the three-point line. While it’s probably unlikely they manage to get a deal done considering their financial situation, Lopez would be a dream addition for the Bulls.
