‘Significant’ Changes for Bulls Could Lead to LaVine-Markkanen Reunion
Some major changes may be under way for the Chicago Bulls, as the team’s existing core may have played its last time on the court together. After an overall disappointment of a season considering their play-in loss this past April, some adjustments are seemingly being made to the roster in the coming months.
According to a report from Bulls.com writer, Sam Smith, there could be some big changes atop this team’s roster, consisting of former All-Stars DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic:
The Bulls aren’t getting any younger, and with the 40-42 record the team sustained this year, it’s safe to say this team is in basketball purgatory. Ever since the Derrick Rose days, it seems as if the Bulls have struggled to find their footing in the Eastern Conference. However, it seems as if the Bulls’ front office is now taking some positive steps to make the necessary changes, finding eventual long-term success.
An interesting factor of Chicago’s situation comes down to the entirety of their asset pool. Outside of Zach LaVine, the team doesn’t have much to offer in terms of enticing players on contract. Compared to some of the massive collections of picks we’ve seen other teams get when blowing their core up in year’s past, the Bulls likely won’t get that amount of value in return.
As far as rostered players in Chicago besides LaVine and DeRozan, the team has a currently unplayable Lonzo Ball (who’s likely inked to a $40 million deal over the next two seasons), Patrick Williams, Alex Caruso, and Dalen Terry.
Yikes.
The Bulls are in a position needing to make a major move this offseason. Continuing into next season with the same core is accepting an end of season fate within the late-lottery. Therefore, trading a coveted player like Zach LaVine may be in Chicago’s best interest.
If this is the route they decide to go, the Utah Jazz have to be a team that finds at least some intrigue in the former UCLA guard. We’ve seen LaVine average over 23 points per game each of the past 5 seasons, consistently shooting above 45/37/80 splits. An efficient scoring two-guard like Zach could be a steal for the Jazz at the right price.
Current Jazz All-Star, Lauri Markkanen played with the Bulls’ guard back in his Chicago days from 2017 to 2021. If Danny Ainge plans on keeping Lauri in Salt Lake City long-term, surrounding him with some familiarity could be a wise decision. A duo of an improved LaVine and Markkanen could prove to be dangerous in a new Will Hardy-led system.
The Jazz should continue to keep watch on rumors surrounding the league’s best talent in an effort to improve the roster.
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