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Chicago Bulls: Three trade deadline blockbusters

By Jason Kinander

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 25: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls drives against Avery Bradley #11 of the LA Clippers at the United Center on January 25, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Clippers defeated the Bulls 106-101. 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 Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 25: Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls drives against Avery Bradley #11 of the LA Clippers at the United Center on January 25, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Clippers defeated the Bulls 106-101. 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 Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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Chicago Bulls, Zach LaVine
Chicago Bulls (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Trade Zach Lavine to the Los Angeles Lakers

Zach Lavine, the Bulls’ leading scorer, is reportedly on the market.

Lavine, who is averaging 22.8 points per game on the season. The trade market for Lavine should be a hot one, and the Bulls should get a decent haul in return for Lavine’s services.

In addition to Lavine, there is apparently a market for Jabari Parker. Parker hasn’t gotten nearly as much playing time as anticipated when he signed a two-year/$40-million deal last offseason. Parker is a major liability on defense, but is a good shooter, and could provide value for the Lakers, who are interested in him, off the bench.

Attached to Parker would need to be a solid load of cash. The amount would depend on if the Lakers pick up his option for next season, but if they do, expect the Bulls to pay a large sum of that.

Now for the Bulls return. Headlining the return would be Lonzo Ball. Ball, the second-overall pick of the 2017 NBA draft, is reportedly on the market, and is interested in playing in Chicago.

If Ball were to be on the move, it would likely mean that a Kris Dunn trade would have already happened, or would have to happen shortly thereafter.

Ball would become the Bulls’ point guard of the future, and would be a great building block for future Bulls teams.

In addition to Ball, the Bulls would get a pair of young role players to add to the mix.

The first of the two is Josh Hart. Hart, a former Villanova Wildcat, is averaging 8.6 points per game in his second NBA season. Hart would be a great rotation piece for the Bulls, and would see a great deal of playing time down the stretch.

The second young player is Moritz Wagner. Wagner, a 2018 first round pick, was a vital part of Michigan’s 2018 NCAA Final run. Wagner has received limited minutes in his first NBA season, but would be a great fit in Chicago, as his versatility on defense at the forward position would make him a desirable piece for Jim Boylen.

Finishing off the deal is the Lakers’ 2019 First Round Pick. The Lakers, if they make the playoffs, likely won’t have a need for the pick anyways, but as the Bulls continue to stock up on picks, having a draft pick in any deal is absolutely necessary.

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