Bulls' Biggest Needs at 2023 NBA Trade Deadline
The closer the calendar creeps toward the 2022-23 NBA trade deadline, the less likely it seems that the Chicago Bulls will take a blow torch to their roster.
The idea of an organizational reset isn't totally outlandish. The fit between DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević has long been an awkward one. If the Bulls pulled the plug at the deadline, raced to the bottom and caught some luck at the lottery, they might even be able to salvage the top-four pick they owe the Orlando Magic.
There are reasons to wonder whether Chicago should be blowing it up, but there is little (if any) evidence the club would actually consider it. Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus recently polled multiple NBA sources, and while many indicated the club should shop its veterans, "they also seem to collectively think the Bulls will ride it out."
If Chicago doesn't sell at the deadline, it could still get involved on the other side of the wheeling and dealing. If the plan is to compete with this core, then the roster needs upgrades, particularly in the following three areas.
Perimeter Shooting
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Accuracy isn't an issue for Chicago. Entering Wednesday night, the Bulls held down the No. 5 spot in field-goal, three-point and free-throw percentage.
However, it's the location of those attempts that can mess up the math of this offense.
Chicago is first in mid-range shots per game (by a mile) and last in three-point attempts. The Bulls don't have to flip those numbers around—DeRozan is money from mid-range—but bringing them closer together could up the efficiency. Not to mention, more threes would mean better spacing on dribble drives, post-ups and, yes, some of the same mid-range shots, too.
The Bulls need a high-volume shooter who plays with a neon-green light and doesn't hesitate to fire.
Pass-First Point Guard
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There are multiple arguments to make against rebuilding, but the one that's hardest to ignore is remembering how good this group was when it was full-strength.
Unfortunately, you have to travel back a calendar year to find that footage, as Lonzo Ball still hasn't played since suffering a meniscus tear last January. At the time, the Bulls were an Eastern Conference-best 27-13. They've been playing sub-.500 basketball ever since.
Chicago needs a healthy Ball more than anything, but who knows when he's ever coming back. The Bulls should scour the market in search of a similar floor general who sets the table on offense and sets the tone on defense.
Bringing the best out of this Big Three isn't easy, since DeRozan, LaVine and Vučević all count scoring as their greatest strengths. Ball found ways to bring out their best together. If a trade target could simply mimic the impact of his passing, that could go a long way toward helping Chicago ascend the conference standings.
Stoppers with Size
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The Bulls have to get better defensively.
Getting bigger and more athletic on that end would be a good start.
This isn't necessarily an argument for trading Vučević and bringing in a better paint protector, though that option is probably worth exploring. LaVine found his footing the past month-plus, meaning this offense runs through him and DeRozan first. That leaves Vučević attempting to make an impact with something that isn't the sharpest tool in his box.
Again, though, this isn't all about the center spot. Snagging a big-wing defender could be equally massive for this club. Patrick Williams gives the Bulls one wing stopper, but adding a second with size could help this team better match up with elite opponents in crunch-time situations.
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