The Chicago Bulls need to consider some major changes this summer, as their roster is currently stuck in the middle. They missed out on the playoffs this past year, getting eliminated by the Play-In Tournament, where they lost to the eventual Eastern Conference champions, the Miami Heat.
If the Bulls want to see any sort of improvement moving forward, big-time moves will be necessary. Trading the teams’ stars would be a tough pill to swallow, but it could be necessary. Will Gottlieb of CHGO recently went over some Bulls trade ideas thrown around on Twitter, and one proposal would send DeMar DeRozan to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Chicago would get back a few rotational pieces and get into the 2023 NBA Draft, and according to Gottlieb, both teams should say yes to this deal.
Suggested trade sees Bulls send DeMar DeRozan to Grizzlies: The full trade
Bulls receive: Luke Kennard, Brandon Clarke, Kenneth Lofton, Pick #25 in 2023 NBA Draft, Pick #45 in 2023 NBA Draft
Grizzlies receive: DeMar DeRozan
Suggested trade sees Bulls send DeMar DeRozan to Grizzlies: Gottlieb's take
Here’s what Gottlieb had to say about the deal:
“Like this. A lot,” Gottlieb wrote. “Would love to get Tyus Jones in there, but with Ja Morant receiving a 25 game suspension from the league, I imagine the Grizzlies would want to hang onto the best backup point guard in the league.
For that reason, they may be even more in on DeRozan, someone who they have been connected to if they swing and miss on a Khris Middleton, for example.”
Suggested trade sees Bulls send DeMar DeRozan to Grizzlies: Should Bulls make this trade?
This trade would give the Bulls a healthy mix of young talent and rotational pieces. Would they be worse? Yes. But DeRozan is entering the final year of his contract, and Chicago needs to get assets back for him. Add in the fact that they would get back into the 2023 NBA Draft, and this trade is solid.