Bulls linked to unthinkable trade that just might make perfect sense

The Chicago Bulls should be one of the more active teams in the NBA this offseason, as they own a wealth of cap space and possess two first-round draft picks, including the No. 4 overall selection.

The Bulls have posted just one winning campaign over the last decade, so it’s high time that Chicago emerges from the depths and re-establishes itself as a legitimate Eastern Conference contender. Of course, that will be easier said than done, and it might require things to get a bit ugly first.

New top executive Bryson Graham surely wants to put his fingerprints on the roster, which means he will want to accumulate as much draft capital as possible moving forward. That’s why Josh Giddey has been labeled a trade candidate, and it’s why the Bulls might also consider moves you wouldn’t initially expect.

Morris Bankston of Pippen Ain’t Easy, for example, has pitched the idea of Chicago re-acquiring Zach LaVine in a trade with the Sacramento Kings, and while that may sound insane on the surface, it actually makes sense when you hear Bankston’s rationale.

Could the Chicago Bulls bring Zach LaVine back?

Bankston envisions a scenario in which the Bulls could land LaVine from the Kings while also netting draft capital in return.

“Presuming LaVine exercises the $48.9 million player option in the final year of his contract, originally signed with the Chicago Bulls, there is an opportunity for the Bulls to engage the Kings in a trade negotiation to return LaVine to the Bulls, provided, of course, the deal also attaches draft capital to LaVine,” Bankston wrote.

The only issue I have here is that Sacramento may not be so willing to attach a draft pick to LaVine with just one year remaining on his contract (and again, that’s assuming LaVine exercises his option, which he almost certainly will). The Kings could instead just allow that money to come off the books at the end of the season and keep their draft capital intact.

However, Bankston thinks the Bulls could sweeten the pot by throwing Giddey into the deal, which would give Sacramento a young, relatively affordable player to build with moving forward. He then thinks Chicago could flip LaVine for more assets at next year’s trade deadline.

“Fast forwarding to the 2027 NBA trade deadline, perhaps a Bulls return is a modest asset, whether it is a young player or a second-round pick for an expiring LaVine that can juice a playoff roster’s offensive punch,” Bankston added.

Is it an interesting proposition? Sure. Is it incredibly realistic? Probably not. But I like what Bankston is thinking.

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