Chicago Bulls: 3 players who could be traded this summer
By Ryan Heckman
Center Robin Lopez
More from Da Windy City
- 3 takeaways from Chicago Blackhawks shootout loss to Nashville
- Chicago Cubs in the middle of chaos that is Shohei Ohtani’s free agency
- The Chicago Cubs are on a roller coaster of emotions chasing Shohei Ohtani
- Chicago Bears quietly compiling list of head coaching candidates
- Chicago White Sox News: Erick Fedde signs two-year deal
Robin Lopez will count about $14 million against the Bulls’ cap this next season. The 2018-2019 campaign is the last remaining year on Lopez’s contract, so regardless, he will be gone by next year. The Bulls are obviously attempting to get younger, faster, more explosive, etc. Lopez doesn’t exactly fit the bill, but he could certainly offer another team some significant depth in the front court.
Throughout last season, Lopez’s name came up in trade rumors constantly. Beginning in December of 2017, the Bulls appeared ready to part with Lopez. My guess is that this was to erase the potential of having to put him on the court while avoiding reprimanding from the NBA for tanking.
Lopez could end up being a nice trade chip involved in a potential deal to move up for a guy like Michael Porter Jr. In other recent reports, the Bulls are said to have been told they will need to move up if they want to select Porter. Will they jump at the opportunity to do so if there is a willing party involved?
Expect Bulls center Robin Lopez to be traded before Thursday’s trade deadline.
— Prime Time Sports Talk (@TalkPrimeTime) February 5, 2018
Fans saw countless reports from NBA media which stated the Bulls were going to deal Lopez last year, yet it never happened. Maybe this was the Bulls trying to do right by Lopez after being warned by Adam Silver? Who knows. What we do know, now, is that Lopez is one of the more likely candidates to be moved if Chicago is to complete any trades this summer.