Bulls' Complete Free-Agency Preview and Predictions Before 2023 NBA Draft
It's NBA draft week, which is typically a transformational time in this league.
It could be exactly that for a number of teams, but the Chicago Bulls probably won't be in that group. They don't own any selections in this talent grab, meaning they'll have to broker a trade to add a prospect.
If they're still committed to winning with this core, they might feel OK about not adding a young, unproven player to their roster. But they will, almost certainly, have to find external upgrades somewhere, whether it's through free agency or in the trade market.
With the offseason about to officially start, let's examine what's on deck in the Windy City.
Draft Preview
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The Bulls needed a solid from the basketball gods to strike gold at the draft lottery. Alas, the ping-pong balls never bounced their way, meaning their top-four protected pick landed at No. 11 and was promptly sent to the Orlando Magic to complete the 2021 trade for Nikola Vučević.
Chicago could have used an injection of young talent. It has a few mildly interesting prospects (swingman Patrick Williams chief among them), but none of its up-and-comers are guaranteed to rise any higher.
Could that sway the front office toward trading into this draft? It's possible. Then again, doing so would almost certainly require subtracting a critical contributor and pulling the plug on the idea of this group making any kind of playoff noise.
The Bulls, who have looked lost or simply mediocre at times since losing Lonzo Ball to an ongoing knee injury, have reportedly been "quietly gauging the trade interest in Zach LaVine," per Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer, so a major move could be in the works.
Then again, Fischer also noted Chicago has set a "steep valuation for LaVine," so perhaps this is nothing other than seeing whether the market would overpay for the high-scoring guard.
Free Agency
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Much of Chicago's roster is up in the air at the moment, because a bulk of its players are heading into free agency. While a number of them could return, its interest in continuity could hinge on what Nikola Vučević decides.
The 32-year-old could be greeted by a relatively robust market in unrestricted free agency. He isn't the most nimble or athletic center you'll find, but there also aren't many players who can match his combination of size (6'10", 260 lbs) and skill.
Across his two full seasons in Chicago, Vučević has averaged 17.6 points, 11 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.5 three-pointers.
Beyond the 32-year-old, the Bulls have two other players going into unrestricted free agency: Patrick Beverley and Javonte Green.
Both are high-energy players who do their best work on the defensive end, but price may determine Chicago's level of interest. They could be helpful to have in terms of setting a tone defensively, but each is limited enough offensively to wonder whether the Bulls could do better.
Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu are both restricted free agents, meaning Chicago will have the power to match any offers they receive.
Meanwhile, Andre Drummond and Derrick Jones Jr. both have player options for next season. The former sounds interested in picking up his, and the latter previously indicated a wish to do the same.
Predictions
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Plotting Chicago's offseason path is tricky, because what it should do and what it will likely do are on opposite ends of the spectrum.
Outside looking in, the Bulls have maximized their roster and should be thinking hard about a top-to-bottom rebuild. But they haven't shown any desire to self-destruct.
Chicago has actually expressed interest in the opposite and reportedly worked to extend Vučević's contract before it expires, per Stadium's Shams Charania.
Put us behind the wheel, and we'd let Vučević walk and then explore trade options involving LaVine and DeMar DeRozan. Again, though, this isn't our call to make. Based on what the Bulls have said publicly, they'll keep the Montenegrin and try giving this group a chance to compete.
If that's the direction Chicago takes, look for some kind of upgrade at point guard. Even if the Bulls bring back both White and Dosunmu—our hunch is both will return—they should be on the lookout for a starter.
Fred VanVleet is a pipe dream, and Chris Paul probably is, too. But maybe Chicago could lure Tyus Jones away from the Memphis Grizzlies. If not, someone like TJ McConnell or Delon Wright could be on the radar as defense-first lead guards who can move the basketball.
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