The most significant difference between this season’s Chicago Bulls and the last several campaigns is the front office spearheading this year entirely open for business. After owning the NBA’s longest streak without a trade, over three calendar years, Arturas Karnisovas and the front office group shipped away two veteran pieces, Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan, in favor of youth and future assets. While many thought it was just the beginning of a complete rebuild in Chicago, the phones have remained silent since the summer. Whenever they are asked about this at press conferences, the upper management remains firm in their willingness to negotiate trades and are “actively selling” former All-Stars Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. After their worst loss of the season last night, a 41-point thrashing at the hands of the Miami Heat, the Los Angeles Lakers are looking for answers. Does their solution reside in Chicago?
After an incredible 10-4 start to their season under new head coach JJ Redick, the Lakers have fallen off the tracks. They’ve posted a 2-6 record over their last eight outings, including the second-worst margin of defeat in the entire league last night, losing to Miami by 41 points. Redick took most of the blame after the “embarrassment” that marked their second consecutive loss by 29 or more points but also said that some accountability needed to be taken between the lines. LeBron James fully backed his head coach, saying he agrees “100%, 1000%” with whatever Redick assessed. Will they be searching for help?
First reported by ESPN Senior Insider Shams Charania, the Lakers have been looking for a center to complement Anthony Davis. This addition would ideally be a competent three-point shooter with ample court vision to space the floor. Vucevic’s skillset and scorching hot start from deep this season make him the perfect candidate for the Western Conference contender. How soon do they hit the panic button, and how expensive is Vucevic on the market?
BREAKING: The Lakers are now actively searching for a center to acquire via trade, per @ShamsCharania
Nick Richards, Robert Williams, Brook Lopez, Jonas Valanciunas, Myles Turner, Nikola Vucevic, and Andre Drummond are some names to watch. pic.twitter.com/pM8TDrMlYU
— SMJ (@SixthManJake) November 19, 2024
The Bulls are expected to once again shop Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic on the trade market, per @JamalCollier (https://t.co/MDG9P1F3gH).
Both players generated little interest in the summer, but Chicago hopes for a better market heading towards the trade deadline. pic.twitter.com/3des0sx733
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) November 7, 2024
James’s timer is likely at most three years remaining in the NBA. This creates a sense of urgency in Los Angeles and a rapidly closing contention window that hopefully pushes desperation from the franchise. Vucevic is shooting over 58% from the field this season and better than 47% from three-point land.
Common names being thrown Chicago’s way in a potential trade include Rui Hachimura, D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, and future draft capital. Does one or more of those assets push Karnisovas’s group to pull the trigger, or can they obtain more elsewhere for the 34-year-old stretch center in the second to last year of his contract?
