Chicago Bulls Could Opt for Looming Multi-Year Rebuild

Each year, a select few NBA teams opt to rebuild from the ground up.

It’s a hard thing, admitting that a team in its current construction is incapable of competing with the league’s best. But it’s almost always necessary in getting back to contention down the road and staying out of NBA purgatory.

The Chicago Bulls — one of the league’s most beloved franchises over the past several decades due to Michael Jordan’s wild success — have frequented the middle-ground for years now.

After a 50-win season and second round loss in 2014-15, the Bulls have simply failed to get back to their ultra-competitive ways. And as their squad of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vukcevic and more continue to age, their already-closed window has now been filled over with concrete.

But on Tuesday, Shams Charania's report that both the Bulls and LaVine are potentially open to a trade has blown the rebuild doors wide open.

The first step would be having a fire sale on their current roster, which does have plenty of talent despite their record. LaVine is a highly adept offensive player that could add firepower to any squad. DeRozan still moonlights as a superstar on nights here and there. Vukcevic would add value as a big most anywhere, and other pieces like Alex Caruso, Coby White and more could bring plenty in return.

But getting the right players and assets back is a pivotal first move. And drafting correctly in impending drafts — the next step — is even bigger. From there, they'll hope to cultivate young talent year after year in hopes of rising quickly through the league ranks with it.

And with their future draft picks back in their own hands (barring a nice finish in 2025 and yielding a first to San Antonio), Chicago, for the first time in awhile, has options.

Now, we’ll sit back and wait to see what they do with them.

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