Bulls About to Make Unforgivable Mistake in NBA Draft

The Chicago Bulls are entering a pivotal offseason after missing the playoffs for the second straight season. Despite the fact that they have consistently been making win-now moves to chase the eight-seed, the only thing they have accomplished is mediocrity. Yet, it seems like the front office and the ownership aren't aware of that fact.

The latest report about the Bulls is further evidence that the Bulls' top brass have no idea what they are doing. According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Bulls are considering trading up in the 2024 NBA Draft to select UConn center Donovan Clingan.

"The only way the Bulls enter the Clingan sweepstakes is if they move up, which has been discussed at the Advocate Center, according to a source."

- Joe Cowley, Chicago Sun-Times

On the surface, this may not seem that big of a deal. Clingan is a valuable prospect and has the chance to be a great defensive anchor in the NBA for a long time.

This is more about the overall strategy than the prospect himself.

The Bulls can not be in the business of trading away future draft picks or trade assets. They are a play-in caliber team that is nowhere near contention. They can't afford to be buyers this offseason even if it is for a young prospect like Clingan.

What Chicago needs to do instead is sell, sell, sell. They have to add more assets and draft capital, not give them up. Using the No. 11 pick on the best player available in the draft and trading away your players with trade value is the only acceptable route the Bulls can take.

It would be front-office malpractice to enter another season with this Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic core. It's time to let DeRozan walk, get what you can for LaVine and Vucevic, and turn your valuable trade assets like Alex Caruso into draft picks. Any other strategy is a losing one in the long run.

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