The Chicago Bulls‘ 109-90 loss to the Miami Heat at the United Center on Wednesday should dispel any notion that the current core is worth extending and keeping around. The Bulls would be wise not to let Josh Giddey and Coby White keep the team hostage at $70 million per year because of a strong March.
When it mattered, the Bulls were blown out in their third-straight loss to the Heat in the Play-In Tournament. Chicago should have no confidence that their 145-117 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 31 was a fluke.
Would the Chicago Bulls make a big trade for Zion Williamson?
Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times identified a player the Bulls should try and trade several pieces of the Bulls roster for this offseason. He thinks White, Nikola Vucevic, and Jevon Carter should be sent to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Zion Williamson.
At 24, Williamson was the No. 1 pick by the Pelicans in 2019. He’s earned two All-Star appearances and made the All-Rookie First Team.
Williamson averages 24.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game in his five-year NBA career.
One issue with Williamson, he can’t stay healthy on a team that has had no shot to make a playoff run with him on the roster. The six-foot-six, 284-pound power forward appeared and started in just 214 games in his NBA career. He’s only had two seasons where he’s played more than 60 games.
When healthy, he’s one of the most efficient players in the association.
The Bulls will likely start the season with a mini-big-three
While Cowley thinks that “fantasy trade” would be in Chicago’s best interest, he believes the Bulls will try to trade Vucevic this summer but will probably be dealt next February.
“The Bulls once again will look to move Vucevic, making room for Zach Collins as the temporary starter or drafting a young rim protector,” Cowley wrote. “Vucevic does have an expiring deal, but, in all likelihood, he could be moved more easily at the February trade deadline.”
Cowley also thinks the team will extend White at $40 million per year, even though now is the time to trade him at a high price.
“White is the Bulls’ best player and maybe their best trade asset,” Cowley wrote. “Would they dare deal him? Unlikely. Expect them to kick the can down the road and make White a $40 million-a-year player after next season.”
The Bulls will likely start the season with a mini-three of White, Giddey, and Vucevic. Matas Buzelis will develop alongside that core.
While Chicago should keep pace for another Play-In Tournament appearance, they should have no confidence in being a threat to the top-tier teams in the Eastern Conference unless they can add true All-Star talent.
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