5 Players Still on the Trade Block the Bulls Should Target

Jalen Green

Another 2021 first-rounder who is entering the final year of his rookie contract is Jalen Green. A teammate of Jonathan Kuminga with the G League Ignite, the 6-foot-4 shooting guard is eligible for a contract extension but the Houston Rockets don't seem to be interested in it. That is due to his inconsistent production so far in his NBA career.

Jalen Green has shown intriguing flashes in his three years in Houston. His lightning speed, impressive athleticism, and dynamism with the ball give him a high upside. His shooting and decision-making are still works in progress. Despite his lack of efficiency, he still averaged 19.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game in 31.7 minutes of action last year.

The Rockets, who already had one of the most stacked young cores in the league, just drafted Reed Sheppard with the third-overall pick. This makes Jalen Green superfluous in the rotation, opening him up for trade discussions. The Bulls should be one of the teams to make calls about Green. They can see if they can develop him and make him a part of Chicago's future in the long run.

Ben Simmons

Before you roll your eyes and stop reading, hear me out.

Yes, Ben Simmons only played in 57 games in the last three years. Yes, he is scared to shoot or attack the basket because he fears getting fouled and going to the free-throw line. Yes, he makes over $40 million for next season.

At the same time, his contract expires after the 2024-25 season, opening up cap space for next summer. He will likely not play due to injury and even if he plays, he is not good enough to get you too many wins. He would help the Bulls tank and get a high pick in the 2025 NBA Draft better than any other trade target.

If the Bulls can move on from Vucevic or LaVine and take Ben Simmons back, that should be considered a win for the reasons above.

On the off chance that Simmons is healthy and back to his 2020 level, that would also be welcome for the Bulls. They could re-sign him, rehabilitate his value, and trade him later.

It's admittedly not the most appealing option out there but Bulls fans shouldn't be entirely closed off to the idea.

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