Bulls Trade Targets with 2023 NBA Trade Deadline a Month Away

If the Chicago Bulls aren't the team to watch between now and the NBA trade deadline, they certainly make the short list of the most fascinating clubs to monitor.

They've shown just enough upside—most recently snapping the Brooklyn Nets' 12-game winning streak—that, when coupled with the franchise's investment in this core, could lead the front office to aggressively add win-now talent.

However, this team has a losing record, just as it did after floor general Lonzo Ball went down with a torn meniscus last January, an injury he has yet to return from. Tack on that this team owes a top-four protected pick to the Orlando Magic, and you could make the case that it's time to pull the plug and swap out veterans for long-term assets.

Both options seem, at the very least, feasible, which makes it interesting to put together a list of potential targets. The following three players could all have fans for various reasons in the Windy City.

Eric Gordon, Houston Rockets

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DALLAS, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Eric Gordon #10 of the Houston Rockets drives to the basket against Spencer Dinwiddie #26 of the Dallas Mavericks in the first half at American Airlines Center on December 29, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)

At some point over the next month or so, some playoff-focused suitor will finally free Eric Gordon from the Rockets' top-to-bottom rebuilding project.

If the Bulls want to give their group a chance to compete but don't want to diminish their remaining collection of trade chips, they could be that team.

They may not have a glaring need in the backcourt, but Gordon's game and track record could bump him up the rotation pretty quickly. He offers more defensive resistance than Goran Dragić, more consistency than Coby White and loads more polish than Dalen Terry.

He is primarily a spark-plug scorer with an ignitable three-ball at this stage, but the 34-year-old's playmaking and experience might help tie this team together, too.

Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards

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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 01: Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards dribbles up court during the first half of the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on January 01, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

If the Bulls don't mind dipping into their remaining resources, then splurging on a big forward who plays both ends would help cover one of this roster's biggest weak spots.

Kyle Kuzma could check that box.

The 6'9" swingman can slide between 3 and 4 spots, or even serve as a small-ball center for stretches with certain lineups. He can create his own shots or find them off the ball as a spot-up shooter or cutter. Defensively, he keeps making strides as a lanky, versatile stopper.

While DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević supply a healthy amount of offense, they are the only double-digit scorers on this roster.

Adding Kuzma, who's netting a career-high 21.3 points per night (on a career-high 46 percent shooting, no less), could be huge in helping this 18th-ranked attack, per NBA.com, climb the ladder.

Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers

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CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 2: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on January 2, 2023 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)

Look, the blow-it-up option may not be the likeliest outcome for Chicago this trade season, but it can't be ruled out, either.

And if the Bulls do take that plunge, they can't half-step into a rebuild. Rather, they should take the plunge head-first.

That means not merely moving a veteran or two for a decent asset, but instead shipping out major contributors for prime assets.

Now, if you're thinking a 34-year-old Russell Westbrook hardly qualifies as such, you're right—but he isn't the true target. He's merely the means to an end: that being the juicy 2027 and 2029 first-round picks the Lakers are allowed to trade.

Pick up both of those picks—which won't convey until long after LeBron James leaves Hollywood—and the Bulls could suddenly have two prime assets to help reshape their roster.

Even if they don't plan on staying down long enough to use those picks themselves, they could get them now and use them in a major trade down the line, once the rebuilding project proves it's ready to accelerate.