The Chicago Bulls have an obvious change to make if they truly hope to compete for the playoffs this season: They must completely transform the center position. (Maybe with someone like Anthony Davis?)
Through the team's first 19 games, the seemingly ageless Nikola Vucevic has held down the fort at the five. The 35-year-old has played every game but one and is averaging 16.4 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists with shooting splits of 49/40/81. His playmaking and floor spacing have been an irreplaceable part of the Bulls' style.
But he is 35, in his 15th NBA season and will play his 1,000th career regular-season game around Christmas.
Zach Collins will soon provide reinforcements. Jalen Smith has performed admirably as a small-ball big. Head coach Billy Donovan has mixed and matched lineups that feature Matas Buzelis at center.
But those band-aids won't plug an ever-growing leak in the ship; it'll take something much stronger.
The Chicago Bulls must make a significant trade before the deadline
This is not a novel idea. Vucevic has been on the wrong side of 30 for what feels like forever. He's not a rim protector, can't guard on the perimeter and isn't the kind of athlete Donovan would surely prefer in his team's up-tempo offense.
For all the positives Vooch provides the Bulls, his shortcomings are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. It's not entirely his fault, but Chicago needs a makeover, and the two-time All-Star is the most logical domino to fall first.
Going back to last season, it was no secret that the Bulls siphoned off the Indiana Pacers' blueprint. Chicago's roster is full of role players, ball movers, shooters and effort guys. Donovan wants to play hectic. Even squint at Josh Giddey, and you might maybe see Tyrese Haliburton.
And while there isn't a Pascal Siakam anywhere to be found in the Windy City -- or scrappy defensive stalwarts like Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard -- there's no Myles Turner, either.
Since Nov. 5 (following six wins in their first seven games), the Bulls have allowed 56.5 points per game in the paint, the third-worst mark in the NBA. They finished last in points allowed in the paint a season ago, too.
They're 25th in defensive rating (119.2), 23rd in rebounding percentage (47.9), 28th in opponent points per game (127.4) and 27th in opponent offensive rebounds per game (13.4).
The Bulls can't stop other teams from doing whatever they want near the rim.
Before a 103-101 loss to the Pacers on Nov. 29, Chicago had given up 120 or more points in a whopping 11 consecutive games, the most in the NBA in 35 years.
Collins is nothing more than a stopgap solution, a placeholder for the next franchise center. Smith is too small to play the five. Despite standing 6-foot-10, Buzelis is more of a wing than a big man. Vucevic hasn't been the answer in years.
If the Bulls don't find the solution, another Play-In Tournament loss is just around the corner.