Chicago Bulls Rumors: Why is CHI looking to trade up in ‘20 Draft?

A recent report has the Chicago Bulls looking to make a serious move in the 2020 NBA Draft.

When the 2020 NBA Lottery took place, it was safe to say that hopes and dreams were all over for Chicago Bulls fans. Some had no hope. Others had a lot of hope. Regardless, no one would have been surprised if the Bulls fell a few spots like in recent years.

Alas, the Bulls received some luck. To the surprise of their fans, Chicago moved up to the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft. New head coach Billy Donovan, along with new Vice President Arturas Karnisovas and his new general manager Marc Eversley, get to make a potentially franchise-altering decision come draft night.

The question remains, though: Just how good can this draft class be? By most accounts, it is a much weaker class than recent years. In fact, this is probably the one year you’d want to trade one of the top picks if you’re in a position like the Bulls are.

Trading the no. 4 pick for an asset to help this team win sooner rather than later might be a good option. There is no guarantee the Bulls will get a superstar at that spot, let alone even a potential long-standing starter.

While some want the Bulls to trade back and acquire more assets, a recent report actually suggests the Bulls will look to do the opposite.

What a bombshell report this is. With all-new folks calling shots in the front office, accompanied with a new and accomplished head coach, the Bulls could actually look to move up.

Who saw that coming?

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Now, first of all, this could be exciting. Heck, the front office might be looking to do something shocking and eye-opening the first chance they get. Instead of throwing away assets and putting the future in jeopardy like the past front office often did, these guys want to make positive moves and improve the team immediately. It’s applaudable.

But, at the same time, with most agreeing this isn’t necessarily the draft class to bank on, why would the Bulls look to trade up?

In order to move up to the second or third pick (no way they’re going to no. 1, right?) the Bulls would likely have to give up a youthful asset like Zach LaVine or Lauri Markkanen. While I’m not crazy about the idea of losing LaVine for one of the top three players in this draft, I think the more likely candidate is Markkanen — and, maybe you could talk fans into that one.

The question then becomes, who are the Bulls targeting? If It’s LaMelo Ball, what do they do with a kid like Coby White? What about LaVine?

This team already has a ton of guards, so if they’re after Ball, there are more moves likely to come. The same goes for Anthony Edwards — who, by the way, should not be the target. One could make a strong argument for the ceiling of Ball, but Edwards doesn’t look like a kid with star potential. In fact, he appears to lack the drive and motivation of a real star — Andrew Wiggins 2.0 anyone?

If it’s James Wiseman they’re after, then trading Wendell Carter Jr. becomes the more believable scenario. Dealing the no. 4 pick along with Carter would be an understandable trade for Wiseman. But, even Wiseman isn’t a guarantee. He has a lot to like in a 7-footer who can create off the dribble, but will his frame be able to hold up at the pro level?

There are a lot of questions when it comes to this report. If the Bulls do make the move, I won’t hate on it. After all, these guys are trying to make serious moves and launch the Bulls into contention. You have to love that. But, waiting to see the entire plan unfold is going to be key when assessing whether or not this potential deal is a wise one.