4 Bulls on the Chopping Block After DeMar DeRozan Trade

The Chicago Bulls took another massive step in their rebuild this weekend as they completed a sign-and-trade with All-Star DeMar DeRozan, sending him to the Sacramento Kings. DeRozan is getting a three-year, $76 million deal from Sacramento.

To complete the sign-and-trade, the Bulls received Chris Duarte, two second-round picks, and cash from Sacramento, while the Kings sent Harrison Barnes and an unprotected 2031 pick swap to the San Antonio Spurs.

If you are keeping count at home, the Bulls have traded Alex Caruso and DeRozan this offseason and signed Patrick Williams to a five-year, $90 million contract extension. Chicago will likely try to find trade suitors for Zach LaVine and maybe Nikola Vucevic, but that’s easier said than done.

However, if the Bulls cannot move LaVine and Vucevic this offseason, do not be surprised to see their names mentioned in trade rumors around the deadline next season as they will likely be one of the Association's worst teams. The oddsmakers don’t have much hope for Chicago as they have second-worst odds to win the Central division (+10000 on DraftKings Sportsbook) in 2024-25.

Below, we’ll highlight a few players who could be on their way out of the Windy City, along with LaVine and Vucevic, as the Bulls are sending signals that they are rebuilding for the future.

1. Zach LaVine

With how this offseason has gone thus far for the Bulls, it’s only right we start with LaVine, who could be next out the door.

The 29-year-old shooting guard has seen his name mentioned in trade rumors, but nothing has materialized yet for LaVine and his camp. As a matter of fact, the Kings were reportedly one of the teams mentioned as a possible destination for LaVine. But Sacramento decided to go with the sure thing in DeRozan.

LaVine only played 25 games this past season for the Bulls before undergoing season-ending right foot surgery, which reportedly rubbed people in the organization the wrong way.

The two-time All-Star averaged 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 34.9 minutes per game. He also shot 45.2 percent from the field and 34.9 percent from beyond the arc. If the Bulls can’t move LaVine this offseason, the locker room would reportedly welcome him back with open arms. 

However, the same cannot be said for the front office as LaVine’s relationship with them is “shattered” and “filled with mistrust,” per Joe Crowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. 

LaVine is scheduled to make $43 million next season and has two more years left on his deal at $45.9 and $48.9 million. Knowing that, along with his injury from this past season, the Bulls might have to make some concessions, if they are set on trading LaVine.