Bulls Trade Predictions Ahead of Thursday's NBA Deadline

The dawn of a new era for the Chicago Bulls could be upon them.

Well, that or they'll sit out Thursday's NBA trade deadline just like they did the past two seasons.

As per usual, Chicago is sardine-squeezed into the Association's dreaded midsection: too good to bottom out, not nearly good enough to contend. External calls to blow-up this roster haven't gone away, but there are zero indications anyone within the organization plans to take that plunge.

Will another deadline really come and go without a deal breezing through the Windy City? Or will this front office finally act to either beef up the present or brighten the future?

Our crystal ball has a good idea what's coming, so we'll consult while making a trio of deadline predictions for the Bulls.

Andre Drummond Is Moved for a Draft Pick

Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 20: Andre Drummond #3 of the Chicago Bulls dunks the ball during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 20, 2024 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

Any NBA contender with less than stellar size across its frontcourt must be concerned with the super-sized obstacles potentially blocking their path to the championship podium: Nikola Jokić, Kristaps Porziņģis, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Karl-Anthony Towns-Rudy Gobert tandem, the list goes on and on.

Win-now teams are clearly in the big-man market, and at least a handful of them have interest in Andre Drummond specifically.

That totally checks out. He may not have much utility away from the basket, but he's hyper-active on the interior. He's also cheap enough ($3.4 million salary, per Spotrac) that even teams with tricky cap situations could afford him.

Even if the Bulls aren't planning to wave the white flag this season, turning Drummond—a 30-year-old reserve on an expiring deal—into some type of draft considerations feels like a no-brainer.

Bulls Rebuff All Inquiries on Alex Caruso

Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 3: Alex Caruso #6 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles the ball during the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 3, 2024 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

If the Bulls wanted to quickly stockpile some long-term assets, they could spark a bidding war for Alex Caruso.

Virtually every win-now team (or even win-now hopeful) might have an interest in the 2022-23 All-Defensive first-teamer. He's an easy fit and versatile, energetic contributor on both ends, and his $9.5 million salary is one of the best non-rookie-scale pay rates around.

He'd be worth a fortune in this trade market, and Chicago knows that. The Bulls would need "the equivalent of two first-round picks to consider" a Caruso trade, per HoopsHype's Michael Scotto.

Someone might actually be willing to meet that price—it probably hinges on the draft years (the upcoming class doesn't get real rave reviews) and protections on the picks—but even then, it's hard to see the Bulls letting him go. They clearly value what he brings, and while they could do some selective selling at the deadline, nothing suggests they've given up on the idea of competing sooner rather than later.

DeMar DeRozan Gets Dealt

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 03: DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles up the court against the Sacramento Kings during the second half at the United Center on February 03, 2024 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

While there was once talk of a possible contract extension for DeMar DeRozan, nothing has come to fruition yet. It's only natural to wonder, then, whether one or both parties is hesitant about extending this relationship.

DeRozan's current deal is down to its final months, and if he isn't traded by Thursday, the Bulls run the risk of seeing him walk for nothing this summer. The 34-year-old's production has slowed a pinch this season, but he's still a nightly supplier of 22 points and 5.4 assists.

Those averages can—and we think will—catch the attention of offense-starved shoppers. DeRozan could not only come in and provide an instant jolt of offensive execution, he wouldn't bog down the financial books moving forward. That could be huge for teams who want his scoring and playmaking now but also may have bigger plans for the future.

We see his trade value reaching a point where the Bulls can't pass up a deal. They aren't winning big even if he stays, so they may as well pounce on a package of assets that perhaps can help them break through down the line in a way this current core never could.