4. Chicago Bulls trade up to the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft
The Chicago Bulls have often been mentioned as a potential trade partner with the Minnesota Timberwolves for a couple of reasons.
First, they possess the No. 4 pick in the draft, which would be a nice landing spot for the Wolves if they were to trade backwards. Secondly, the Bulls have a roster with plenty of players who would fit well as the third or fourth-best player on a playoff team, but there isn’t any real star power on the Chicago roster.
Zach LaVine is overpaid at $19.5 million in each of the next two years. Otto Porter Jr. has one year and $28.5 million remaining. Lauri Markkanen has one year remaining before he’ll require a large contract extension.
If the Bulls want to get to No. 1, they’ll need to give up No. 4 and another asset. According to Zach Lowe on The Lowe Post podcast, the Bulls aren’t interested in giving up Markannen in a trade up, instead preferring to trade Wendell Carter Jr., who would not be a great fit in Minnesota.
Recently, the Bulls were mentioned by ESPN’s Givony as one of the three teams most interested in trading for the No. 1 pick (subscription required) with the intention of selecting Ball. Additionally, new Bulls boss Arturas Karnisovas worked with Rosas in Houston, so that could certainly help make a deal with the Wolves more likely.
The only reason the Bulls aren’t higher is because it might be difficult to find the right mix of talent and salary. Chicago may not want to give up Markannen, but the Wolves may not want to pay LaVine or Porter.
But if one side changes their stance, don’t be shocked if the Wolves and Bulls get together for a deal on draft night.