This Chicago Bulls trade idea involving DeMar DeRozan makes no sense

Why the Chicago Bulls shouldn’t even entertain this trade

First of all, we’re talking about the Bulls trading their best player — right? We’re all in agreement that the Bulls’ highest-paid player is no where near their best player, correct?

No, Zach LaVine isn’t the best player in Chicago. It’s DeRozan and it’s DeRozan by a mile. He has been the most consistent player for the Bulls this season, and adding him to the Lakers, next to LeBron James, is an obvious win for the Lakers.

Of course, the Lakers keep both DeRozan and Vucevic happy by keeping the former college teammates together. Los Angeles gets a legit starting center, too, which they currently lack.

As for the Bulls, they take on a 34-year-old Westbrook for just the remainder of this season before his contract expires in 2023. Sure, that may sound like a positive. But, the reality is, they’re still stuck with paying LaVine — and that’s the big problem.

The worst part of the deal is the fact that the Bulls may not even see a first rounder until 2029, with the first of the picks being protected four drafts from now.

The Bulls are essentially handing the Lakers a top talent for next to nothing, and they won’t have the means to compete for several years. Sure, they’ll have some cash to spend with DeRozan and Vucevic off the books. But, is LaVine, in himself, enough to attract free agents going forward?