Hypothetical Bulls Trades to Boost Pursuit of 2025 NBA Title

The Chicago Bulls aren't winning an NBA championship this season.

Realistically, it could be a long while before the Windy City experiences that level of basketball bliss.

Still, we'll allow ourselves to indulge in a good bit of optimism here, as we attempt to broker some hypothetical summer blockbusters that would give Chicago a chance at the crown as soon as next summer. Since rosters and payrolls will look different by the time the offseason arrives, we'll lay out general trade concepts as opposed to fully fleshed out, salary-matching swaps.

Snagging a Defensive Stopper

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ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 10: Jonathan Isaac #1 of the Orlando Magic boxes out during the game against the Chicago Bulls on February 10, 2024 at the Kia Center in Orlando, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)

Chicago's front office has received plenty of criticism of late, and a lot of it is warranted. Credit the Bulls' brass for at least one thing, though: Not overreacting to their surprise finish at No. 5 in defensive efficiency last season, per NBA.com.

That number always felt a little fluky given their offense-leaning personnel, and Chicago's decision-makers agreed it didn't pass the smell test. That's why the Bulls' based their 2023 external offseason activity around the defensive end, adding Jevon Carter and Torrey Craig in free agency and trading into the draft for Julian Phillips.

Those additions haven't prevented what always felt the inevitable regression of this defense, though, which now ranks just 19th in efficiency. That's why the Bulls should still be in the market for more stoppers, especially a hyperactive, all-purpose defender like Orlando Magic swingman Jonathan Isaac.

He has played a big part in the ascension of Orlando's defense, but given his lengthy injury history, you wonder whether the Magic want to keep relying on him going forward. They desperately need more offense, too, so it feels like they might be one of the few teams actually interested in Zach LaVine, and if there is a blockbuster deal to be made between the teams, the Bulls would be wise to want Isaac included in it.

Getting More Athletic in the Middle

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 23: Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks in action against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at Madison Square Garden on December 23, 2022 in New York City. 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 Adam Hunger/Getty Images)

Chicago has good size up front with Nikola Vučević and Andre Drummond, but there's hardly any bounce between the two bigs.

An aggressive deal for Mitchell Robinson, who's perhaps been made expendable by the rise of Isaiah Hartenstein, would change that in an instant.

Robinson possess the kind of hops you almost never see in a 7-footer, and he routinely puts it to good use as a shot-blocker, glass-cleaner and above-the-rim finisher. He's had his share of injury issues, though, and the New York Knicks could conceivably be willing to let him go if they plan on paying what it takes to bring Hartenstein back as an unrestricted free agent.

A straight-up swap with Vučević for Robinson wouldn't do much for the 'Bockers, but a three-team deal that sends Vučević elsewhere and delivers assets to New York (probably including at least one first-round pick from Chicago) could work.

Adding an Impact Wing

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PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 28: Jerami Grant #9 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Moda Center on January 28, 2024 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Amanda Loman/Getty Images)

The Bulls don't have a ton of assets to throw around, and with three of their top six rotation players—Vučević, DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso—in their 30s, they should be cautious about giving up first-round picks that wouldn't convey until way into the future.

That limits Chicago's buying power, which is kind of a big deal considering the degree of upgrade this group needs to contend. The Bulls need to find a really good player who wouldn't command a really-good-player price in a trade.

Why not Jerami Grant? The second Damian Lillard decided he was done with the Portland Trail Blazers, Grant immediately looked overpaid and out of place. The 30-year-old isn't quite finished with the first season of the five-year, $160 million deal he signed last summer. That's a massive amount of money for someone who never quite made it to stardom.

Portland wouldn't just give him away, but it would have to factor that contract into its expected return. So, a protected future first could potentially headline the package to get Grant if the Bulls had the right sweeteners in that exchange. It would be a risk, but if Chicago really wants this core to breakthrough, a high-end, two-way forward like Grant might be its best hope for doing so.