Coby White
Getty
Coby White could be a trade asset for the Bulls
For the last half-decade, the Chicago Bulls have remained stuck in play-in tournament purgatory, finishing each season as a non-threatening playoff contender.
Without a legitimate star to propel them to a championship level, the Bulls are virtually in no man’s land.
Former Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams offered the struggling franchise blunt advice on Monday, urging the Bulls to hit the reset button at the trade deadline.
“They are a mediocre basketball team. Something has to give,” Williams said on Run It Back. “At this point, if you’re the Chicago Bulls, you have to look to trade everybody. You have to clean house, from top to bottom, and clean house.”
Williams added that the Bulls’ inability to compete in the weaker Eastern Conference is evidence that a drastic change is needed.
“In a conference where anybody can win and feel like they can win a conference title, the Bulls have not been in a position to do that. So, I would say trade everybody and blow this thing up.”
Should the Bulls be Sellers at the Trade Deadline?
Chicago Bulls
GettyThe Chicago Bulls could have a fire sale at the trade deadline
Boasting a 23-23 record and ninth seed position, the Bulls are on pace for another forgettable season in Chicago.
Despite ranking in the top ten in points scored this season, the team has struggled to win games consistently.
Now, with the trade deadline approaching, the Bulls stare down the possibility of a fire sale.
Coby White, who is averaging 19 points and 4.7 assists per game, has been heavily involved in trade rumors all season.
Meanwhile, guard Ayo Dosunmu and former lottery pick Patrick Williams have also been tossed in trade discussions.
White most likely has the most trade value of the aforementioned players and could even fetch Chicago a first-round pick.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks put all 30 teams into tiers before the trade deadline and listed the Bulls alongside a handful of struggling teams in Tier 2, which was coined “the dealmakers.”
Chicago has been viewed all season long as one of the most likely teams to make a move. Not only has this been due to their mediocre record, but it’s also been because of their long list of expiring contracts.
White and Dosunmu are both expected to become free agents this summer, with both guards anticipating sizeable pay raises.
Still, the Bulls should be willing to part ways with essentially every player on the roster.
Bulls Need a Major Roster Upheaval
Coby White
GettyCoby White has been linked to the Minnesota Timberwolves this season
Simply put, the Bulls lack the necessary resources to compete in the Eastern Conference. Heck, they hardly have enough to keep pace with their Central Division rivals.
The glory days of the Michael Jordan-led Bulls are long gone, and if the team desires to regain its championship form, major changes are needed.
Those changes could (and should) begin with flipping players for draft assets at the trade deadline.
With a loaded NBA Draft class on the horizon, the Bulls would be wise to give themselves as many shots to land an impact player as possible.
Whether that’s shipping White to Minnesota or finding suitors for Nikola Vučević , the Bulls have to find a way to clear house and build toward the future.