Nikola Vucevic
Getty
Chicago Bulls are shopping Nikola Vucevic
With the NBA trade deadline quickly approaching, franchises are wheeling and dealing, aiming to finalize their rosters before the playoffs.
While half the league is occupied with trying to acquire Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Chicago Bulls have their sights set on upgrading at guard.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Bulls offered All-Star center Nikola Vucevic to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Anfernee Simons.
“Earlier this season, well before Boston surged into second place in the East, the Chicago Bulls inquired on the possibility of trading center Nikola Vucevic for Simons and a Celtics first-round pick, which would have lowered Boston’s tax bill, but the Celtics weren’t interested, league sources told HoopsHype,” Michael Scotto reported.
Despite the Celtics’ reported interest in acquiring a center, Boston turned down the Bulls’ offer.
Vucevic, 35, has been a popular name in the trade rumor mill this season. He is entering the final year of his contract and is anticipated to covet a more competitive environment once he hits unrestricted free agency.
For Chicago, finding a trade partner for the All-Star center before he’s able to leave for nothing in free agency would be wise. However, the trade market has not been fruitful thus far.
Bulls Destined for Fire Sale at the Trade Deadline?
Nikola Vucevic
GettyChicago Bulls offered Nikola Vucevic to the Boston Celtics
Chicago is in the midst of yet another mediocre season and is in danger of missing the playoffs entirely.
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.”
Bulls Could Flip Starters for Future Assets
Coby White
GettyCoby White has been linked to the Minnesota Timberwolves this season
With the trade deadline approaching, the Bulls face the decision of a potential fire sale in Chicago.
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 Vucevic have also been involved in trade discussions.
Although the team is unlikely to get premier value for the aforementioned players, they should still explore options to deal them for future assets.
The last half-decade has been extremely non-competitive for the Bulls, 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.