The Bulls are exploring potential trade packages with the Pistons for shooting guard Zach LaVine, confirms K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.
Sources inform Johnson that, as has been previously reported, Detroit is hoping to hold on to what the team sees as its four core players in a theoretical deal: point guard Cade Cunningham, shooting guard Jaden Ivey, rookie forward Ausar Thompson, and center Jalen Duren.
Assuming the Pistons remain firm on this point, veteran power forward Bojan Bogdanovic and future draft equity are expected to be priorities from the Chicago side. while some configuration of veteran players like Isaiah Stewart, Joe Harris, Monte Morris, and Mike Muscala could also be involved. Johnson notes that, even if a deal doesn’t get done by the NBA’s February 8 trade deadline, it appears likely LaVine will eventually be moved while on his current contract.
Johnson adds that reserve center Andre Drummond has drawn interest from several clubs as the NBA’s deadline nears.
There’s more out of the Windy City:
- Bulls head coach Billy Donovan‘s job is currently safe in Chicago, but he’s aware his status could become tenuous, Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times writes. “You always have to be grateful each and every day to [coach],” Donovan said. “I drive home and get off the interstate, and there’s people standing out there on the street asking for money or people sleeping in front of police precincts. It’s so easy not to be grateful for the things you have and the opportunity you have, and I always try and keep that in perspective. I get a chance every day to do something I love. I try and view it that way.”
- All-Defensive Bulls wing Alex Caruso is making an effort to not sacrifice his body quite as much as he has in the past, Cowley writes in a separate piece. ‘‘I’ve intentionally missed a couple of charges this year and moved out of the way because I’m realizing that I’ve got to take care of my body, and you’ve got to be a little bit selfish at times to do that,’’ Caruso said. “At the end of the day, it comes down to the NBA is all about efficiency… That’s what I’ve learned, and I’m kind of finding that middle gear to where I don’t need to play as hard as I can every single minute.”
- Six-time championship-winning former Bulls head coach Phil Jackson recently visited the team for a player meeting and an extensive 90-minute chat with Donovan and his staff, Cowley adds. ‘‘It should inspire you,’’ guard Coby White said of meeting Jackson. ‘‘If you love the game of basketball, it should inspire you. He’s a legend, a Hall of Fame coach, if not the best coach of all time. So for us, it should motivate us as a unit and a team to grow. And he gave us some insight on our team.”
Best coach of all time is Popovich, if only for his influence and legacy, Coby. But Phil is up there, and if it turns your team into a contender, then go for it.
Lavine is a pure salary dump at this, negative to neutral trade value, if the Pistons give up a young talent to acquire him it will only further set beack what has already been a terribly executed rebuild.
Bulls should be happy if anyone takes him. Adding 2 or 3 role players would probably improve the team.
DeM DeR >>>>> to Knickerbockers ….
You’re getting LaVine!!!
The Bulls should take the draft assets and role players to dump LaVine.
LaVine is a Sixth Man on a Good Team and not the starting SG.
Move him and make White the Star of the team.
lol
Appreciate what White has done to improve his game. White is smart to recognize what he needs to do to contribute to the Bull’s success. Having said this, the Bulls can’t build around White. White is nowhere near the talent of Mitchell, SGA, Booker and Brunson.
So do it and be done.
Bogdanovic, ivey and a frp
They already said that Ivey is not available.