The season is over for all but 4 teams and that means that every franchise no longer in the running for the NBA title has to think about what moves they can make in the offseason to make sure that they’re still involved in this stage next season. The Chicago Bulls made the playoffs this season after a successful offseason last year but now find themselves in an interesting spot.
Zach LaVine has been linked with moves in free agency to various organizations and is committed to hearing out offers from different franchises, and there is a serious concern that they will not be able to bring the All-Star back to the Windy City. And while that saga remains unresolved, the Bulls still have to work on improving their roster outside of LaVine’s decision.
The name most recently linked to the storied franchise is Sixers youngster Matisse Thybulle, who will be due an extension following his rookie deal soon. And as per NBA insider Sean Deveney, the Bulls are interested in acquiring his services in a possible trade:
“The Sixers could look to get off Thybulle’s contract to create some wiggle room under the luxury tax, which looms large over the team’s offseason, and one team with known interest, according to league sources, is Chicago,” Deveney wrote. “Bulls GM Marc Eversley has had a fondness for Thybulle going back to early in his collegiate career at Washington, and was instrumental in pushing the Sixers to acquire him in the 2019 draft.”
Thybulle has just turned 25, completing his 3rd season in the NBA in 2022, and has already established himself as an elite defender in the league. His offensive game is still very much a work in progress, but the Bulls will believe thanks to his age that it can be improved upon. While the Sixers are not under threat of losing him in free agency, there could be a potential trade worked out between the two franchises.
