Bulls' Hypothetical Blockbuster Trades to Shake Up NBA Offseason

The 2023 NBA offseason is fork-in-the-road time for the Chicago Bulls.

After posting a losing record and failing to escape the play-in tournament, the Bulls have to think long and hard about a rebuild. With free agency awaiting Nikola Vučević this summer and DeMar DeRozan the next, they might be ready to abandon ship.

If they are going to keep pushing forward, though, they need to expand the talent base to give this group a real chance to break through.

We'll examine both options while brokering hypothetical blockbusters for the Bulls to mull over this summer.

Shifting Focus to the Future

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 14: RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks plays defense on DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls during the game on December 14, 2022 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. 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 2022 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Trade: DeMar DeRozan to the New York Knicks for RJ Barrett and Isaiah Hartenstein

The Bulls claim to have no interest in blowing up their roster. If they aren't at least weighing the option, they're making a mistake.

This core has always faced questions about its ceiling, and that was before Lonzo Ball lost (at least) a season-plus to a knee injury he can't seem to shake. If Chicago can't contend right now, it needs to ask some uncomfortable questions about how it will ever reach that level.

A deal like this would buy the Bulls some breathing room without completely abandoning the idea of competing sooner than later. Swapping out DeMar DeRozan for RJ Barrett would make Chicago younger and more defensively resistant on the wings. While DeRozan is the better scorer and creator now, things could shift Barrett's direction sooner than later.

Meanwhile, the Knicks might see their playoff exit as a reason to add offensive firepower. DeRozan is the player right now whom they hope Barrett will one day become. Do this deal, and New York would have one of the league's top scoring trios with DeRozan, Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle.

Making Tyler Herro a Centerpiece

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MIAMI, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 11: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls is defended by Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat during the first half at FTX Arena on December 11, 2021 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Trade: Zach LaVine to the Miami Heat for Tyler Herro, Nikola Jović, Duncan Robinson and two first-round picks

If the Bulls subtract pieces this summer, they could selectively let go of a few vets and still hope to remain competitive. But what would that actually accomplish? Maybe they could scrap for a back-end playoff ticket, but that's teetering too close to getting stuck in the dreaded middle.

If Chicago alters its course, it should lean all the way into a rebuild. The Bulls need top-shelf assets, and a LaVine trade is their best bet to find them.

This is as good as any package Chicago could hope to land. Tyler Herro has serious centerpiece potential. He has averaged at least 20 points, five rebounds and four assists in each of the past two seasons, and he just turned 23 in January. Tack on Nikola Jović (last summer's No. 27 pick) and two first-round picks (one this summer, one in 2027 or beyond), and that's a big enough return to justify taking on the remainder of Duncan Robinson's deal.

This is plenty for the Heat to part with, but it might make sense to pay a massive price given this club's offensive issues (the ones that existed before the playoffs tipped) and Jimmy Butler's ticking clock. Zach LaVine could step in and serve as the go-to scoring option this team needs to carry the load until it's time for Playoff Jimmy to take over.

Swapping Centers With the Suns

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CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 7: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns shoots the ball during the game against the Chicago Bulls on February 7, 2022 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. 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 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Trade: Nikola Vučević (sign-and-trade) and Patrick Williams to the Phoenix Suns for Deandre Ayton

If the Bulls want to maximize their competitiveness next season, upgrading at center might be a top priority. Vučević is a good player, but he isn't a good fit with LaVine and DeRozan since all three are score-first players with defensive deficiencies.

Chicago could get more mileage out of bringing Deandre Ayton to town.

The top pick in 2018 is a two-way contributor. He can operate as both a pick-and-roll screener and a post-up scorer. He offers more defensive resistance at the rim than Vučević and is just as active on the glass. Ayton could step into a prominent role right now, and since he'll only turn 25 this summer, he might grow into something even greater down the line.

Meanwhile, the Suns might covet the chance to turn Ayton into a pair of plug-and-play contributors. Vučević's perimeter shooting and playmaking would both play up alongside Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, and Patrick Williams could handle three-and-D duties now and maybe a lot more offensive responsibilities later.