The Chicago Bulls are currently in a difficult predicament. Two of its key players, Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan, have already left the team. But unless they also part ways with former All-Stars Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic, they cannot completely embrace their rebuild. It is not as simple as it seems. Finding LaVine a new home will be extremely tough because of his big deal, which is worth $138 million over the next three seasons, and his recent injury issues.
However, it also doesn’t appear that there is significant trade interest in Vucevic. The 33-year-old is starting the second season of a three-year, $60 million contract with the Bulls. His play has been deteriorating for some time. The Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers, and Charlotte Hornets are also parties to a proposed blockbuster five-team trade that would send LaVine and Vucevic to the Bulls in exchange for a selection and other intriguing players.
Fran Leiva of FadeAway World reports that the Bulls would acquire Josh Green, Deandre Ayton, Grant Williams, and a 2026 first-round pick (via the Pelicans) in the proposed trade. Brandon Ingram is acquired by the Hawks, while LaVine, Vucevic, and a 2025 first-round pick (via the Hawks) are given to the Pelicans. De’Andre Hunter, Larry Nance Jr., and the 2027 first-round pick go to the Trail Blazers (via Bulls). Received by the Hornets is CJ McCollum. Ayton would undoubtedly be the star addition for the Bulls, but Williams and Green are all excellent players. They would also receive more resources for their long-term development with the 2026 first-round selection. “For the Bulls, this trade represents a significant shift,” Leiva noted. Following a dismal 2023–24 campaign in which they were stranded in the Eastern
Of course, it would be very challenging to pull off a transaction this size, and many things would have to line up perfectly.
