Could trading for Damian Lillard finally solve the Chicago Bulls' point guard woes?

Should the Bulls try and pursue Damian Lillard?

The Chicago Bulls' issues at the point guard position this season are well-known. With Lonzo Ball unable to play a single second, the Bulls were forced to hand over the reins of the point guard position to numerous players, such as young guns Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White and veterans Alex Caruso and Patrick Beverley.

Obviously, the results were far away from what the Bulls expected, especially after making the NBA Playoffs as the sixth seed last year. The Bulls need an injection of excitement and energy—things that Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard could provide if the Bulls were to pursue him in a blockbuster trade.

Star power guaranteed

Lillard is a 7-time All-Star, a 6-time All-NBA player, and a member of the league's 75th-anniversary team. He's also one of the league's premier clutch shooters and has already proved that he could single-handedly carry a team in the playoffs, as seen when Portland made it to the Western Conference Finals in 2021.

A player of Lillard's caliber—32.2 points and 7.3 assists per game this season—would bring far more than just talent and star power to the Windy City. He would bring an aura of excitement and optimism that the Bulls have been lacking for years. With a player like Lillard on their side, the Bulls could potentially become contenders in the East and genuine championship threats.

Unlikely availability

The big catch with Lillard, though, is his insistence on staying with Portland. Lillard has played for the Trail Blazers for 11 seasons to various degrees of success. This season, the Trail Blazers finished in 13th place in the Western Conference with a 33-49 record. The Weber State product recently revealed that he has spoken to the team's management and implored them to produce a better roster—one that is well-equipped to win now and not later.

Should the Blazers fail to deliver on that, then Lillard might be inclined to have another conversation with the team's management. Should he declare himself available, a number of teams would be willing to part with assets in order to acquire him. The question is: what would it take for Portland to part with their star?

The Bulls still have DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine under contract as well as enticing young players such as Patrick Williams and Ayo Dosunmu. In order to get Lillard, the Bulls would have to part with at least one of their star players and some draft picks. It's unclear if they would be willing to do that in order to land the All-Star.