This summer will be a crucial one for the Chicago Bulls. It’s only been two years since the team made major moves in an attempt to push for the postseason, but they only reached that goal in one of the two seasons. Injuries have certainly gotten in the way, but Chicago may have to face the harsh reality that their current core simply isn’t good enough.
Arturas Karnisovas seems intent on competing with the team in place now, but that could lead to more years of mediocrity. At the same time, a complete roster teardown would significantly set the team back. Instead of either of those ideas, the Bulls could consider trading one of Zach LaVine or DeMar DeRozan. That’s exactly what Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report suggested.
Rather than entering a complete rebuild, Buckley mocked a trade that would see Chicago get a little bit younger but stay competitive. It’s a deal with the New York Knicks that would see the Bulls land RJ Barrett.
Chicago Bulls trades: Proposed trade flips DeMar DeRozan for RJ Barrett
Here’s the full outline of Buckley’s trade proposal:
Bulls receive: RJ Barrett, Isaiah Hartenstein
Knicks receive: DeMar DeRozan
Chicago Bulls trades: Why the Bulls make this trade
Buckley believes that this trade would help the Bulls stay relevant while also planning for the future a bit.
“A deal like this would buy the Bulls some breathing room without completely abandoning the idea of competing sooner than later,” Buckley wrote. “Swapping out DeMar DeRozan for RJ Barrett would make Chicago younger and more defensively resistant on the wings. While DeRozan is the better scorer and creator now, things could shift Barrett’s direction sooner than later.”
Chicago Bulls trades: Why the Knicks make this trade
Meanwhile, he believes the Knicks could make a deal like this in an attempt to improve their roster for another postseason run next year.
“Meanwhile, the Knicks might see their playoff exit as a reason to add offensive firepower,” Buckley wrote. “DeRozan is the player right now whom they hope Barrett will one day become. Do this deal, and New York would have one of the league’s top scoring trios with DeRozan, Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle.”
Chicago Bulls trades: Will the Bulls make this trade?
From how Karnisovas has spoken about the current core, a DeRozan trade may not be in the cards. However, it has been brought up as a possibility in the past. And if they were to trade DeRozan, a deal like that would help them compete now and get younger would be ideal.
