The Chicago Bulls star trio of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic are preparing for one or more of them to get moved this season if the Bulls cannot be a competitive team in the East, according to Joe Cowley.
“LaVine, DeRozan and Vucevic have each said that the feeling in the locker room was that at least one of them would go if this season wasn’t a promising one by February.”
“LaVine, DeRozan and Vucevic have each said that the feeling in the locker room was that at least one of them would go if this season wasn’t a promising one by February.” 😬
– @JCowleyHoops pic.twitter.com/uPA8a4dv26
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 2, 2023
There is good reason to believe in what Cowley has reported, especially given what Zach LaVine had to say after the Bulls lost a game to the Pistons in the last week.
‘‘We understand that; we’ve been around long enough. Shoot, Vooch has been traded, I’ve been traded, DeMar’s been traded. We understand the business. As much as we care for each other, you understand what’s on the other side of that. It’s just three games in, but we don’t want this to get past three games. We don’t want this to snowball.’’
The quote clearly shows a desire from LaVine to get the house to ensure a mid-season blowup doesn’t happen. LaVine has only played in the playoffs once in his career, a number that won’t increase if he’s stuck in purgatory on the Bulls. They’re already having team meetings, which isn’t a good sign either.
The Bulls are 2-3 after their first five games of the series, losing their last game at the hands of the Mavericks. Rebuilding may be their best course of action at this point.
Nikola Vucevic Said This Was The Current Core’s Last Chance To Compete
Even though Vucevic received a contract extension from the Bulls this season, he knows that this season will define his future on the franchise alongside LaVine and DeRozan. He flat said this was their last season to achieve something together before the season started.
“We know we can do better, and we have to do better,” he said. “And we know it’s kind of our last chance as this core of guys to do something.”
Vucevic will have a three-year, $60 million contract with the Bulls that he’ll hope the franchise honors. If they don’t end up doing that, hopefully, the Montenegro center can find a home in a competitive franchise after becoming a perennial playoff presence with the Orlando Magic.
DeMar DeRozan Could Be On His Way Out Regardless
If the Chicago Bulls have to blow up their current roster, DeMar DeRozan may be the first player to be traded. DeRozan has averaged 26.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 5.0 assists with the Bulls since joining in 2021-22, establishing himself as one of the premier forwards in the NBA. He’s made both available All-Star teams and is considered by many to be the best player on the franchise.
DeRozan is a free agent at the end of the season. If the Bulls were to blow their roster up, a DeRozan trade may be the first move they make. It’s the easiest contract to move and could net them a solid asset from a desperate team that needs DeRozan to solidify their winning hopes in the NBA.
If the Bulls don’t trade DeRozan away and have an average season, they will likely lose him for nothing in free agency as he can sign with any contender in the NBA. Even if he still wants a payday, contending teams like the 76ers have a lot of cap space next season. If the Clippers trio of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and James Harden re-sign with their franchise, DeRozan likely becomes the best available free agent next summer.
We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.
Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.
