Polarizing Trade Proposal Could Jump-Start Bulls Offseason

Three meticulously constructed teams remain in the NBA playoff field as the Finals approach June 6th. More importantly for the remaining 27 teams, they can start planning to win the offseason (some say that’s even better than a title!) For franchises either slowly wayfaring home from a playoff defeat or lottery watching in late April, it’s trade season. The glimmering hope that one move can set your team on the right path.

Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley recently wrote a piece in that vein, succinctly proposing trade ideas for every NBA team. At mention of the Bulls, a compelling offer was put forth:

As an instant reaction, the Warriors would get a maelstrom-inducing defender in Caruso and eat the rest of Vucevic's contract (which expires after the 2025-26 season) while acquiring a useful offensive creator. Chicago acquires a high-upside reclamation project that fits instantly into a starting lineup.

Despite his much-maligned early-season struggles, Wiggins averaged 13.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists after the new year while shooting over 40% from three, per Cleaning the Glass. For an aging Warriors team, that top-four protected 2026 first-round pick could instantly become valuable should the Curry-Thompson-Green triumvirate finally fracture. In the event of a much-contemplated fire sale, the Bulls could flip a rehabilitated Wiggins for more future assets.

Understanding the mortality of the players whose statues will eventually ornament their arena concourse, the Warriors make one last-ditch attempt at a title. Vooch can’t shoot anymore, but he can roll out of bed and give you 15 and 10. Caruso is the iceberg to the Titanic – can’t get around him, torn up if you go through him. He is the perfect masking agent to Curry, Klay, and Dray’s waning athleticism. They would have to balance all that against Vucevic's remaining contract, Caruso’s impending free agency, and the potential of losing a valuable pick.

As is the case with any exercise or listicle, there can be few glorified winners in trades. However, this move at least hints at an organizational setting-of-course. Most of us wish we had such a capacity (and the job security) to meander like the Chicago Bulls’ front office. Despite the rope that head coach Billy Donovan and general manager Arturas Karnisovas have been given in their four years at the helm, patience has worn thin.

Take it from Karnisovas himself, after the Bulls’ season-ending loss to the Miami Heat: “Even with injuries that we suffered this year, I think we need to change things,” Karnišovas said. “This group, something doesn’t work. I’ve got to find ways to find a group that’s going to make improvements. Because we’ve done that for a couple of years now and it hasn’t worked. So, everything is on the table.”

If history is doomed to be repeated, then this makes less sense. The most likely outcome is Karnisovas adding depth on the roster fringes and – after another disappointing play-in loss in 2025 – he and Donovan are out of work. Sisyphus gets crushed by the boulder again.

Ultimately, Karnisovas’s work should have one fundamental goal – keep his job. Selling off the veterans that brought you 46 wins three years ago will not engender vitriol, and you’ll get a player in return that can give the appearance of remaining competitive. A few subsequent moves involving potentially valuable players like Zach LaVine or a signed-and-trade DeMar DeRozan, and you’re left with a young roster that can germinate at a reasonable pace. Bottoming out in a year where Cooper Flagg is likely the top prize is optimum timing, too. Maybe owner Jerry Reinsdorf even lets you remain the GM to shepherd the rebuild.

Chicago needs to (finally) set a direction this offseason. Where to start? Commencing with a trade that nets future draft capital, sends off a burdensome contract, and procures a player with a fire to re-ignite is as good a place as any.

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