1 trade Bulls must make after play-in disaster vs. Heat
03/05/2024 00:35
The Chicago Bulls finished up yet another mediocre season a couple weeks ago as they lost to the Miami Heat in the NBA play-in tournament. It was a disappointing season, so it was fitting for it to end in disappointing fashion. The Bulls got out to a good start in Miami as they hit a few threes early to go up 11-6, but it was all Heat after that. Miami won the game 112-91, and they are now headed to the playoffs to take on the Boston Celtics.
After going up 11-6, the Bulls surrendered a massive run and ended up going down by 20 in the second quarter. After they went down 20, the Bulls actually did a good job of weathering the storm. Chicago fought back and made it a seven point game in the third quarter, but the Heat turned things back on and ended up winning in blowout fashion.
The Bulls finished the regular season with a 39-43 record. They did get a win against the Atlanta Hawks in their first play-in tournament game, but they once again failed to make it into the playoffs. Chicago was just one win away and a victory in Miami on Friday night would’ve sent them to the playoffs, but they couldn’t get the job done.
So, another season is in the books for the Bulls. After starting 5-14, things went pretty well, but they are still far from satisfying this hungry fan base. No one really expected this team to make it to the postseason in the early stages of the year, so making it this far was exceeding expectations, but the fan base wants more. The Bulls are going to be making some moves in the trade department this offseason, and it would be shocking if Zach LaVine returned next season.
One player that must go: Zach LaVine
There were rumors all season long about the Bulls wanting to trade Zach LaVine before the trade deadline, but it never happened. LaVine dealt with a lot of injuries during the season, and he ended up opting for season-ending surgery shortly before the deadline. Who knows if Chicago was about to make a move or not, but nothing happened after LaVine made the surgery decision.
Now that the offseason is here, it is time for the Bulls to part ways with LaVine. He is a terrific player and they can get some great talent for him, and he just doesn’t seem to be a good fit with this Chicago team. So, who should the Bulls try to get in a trade?
A couple names that have been floating around as potential trade targets for the Bulls are Kevin Huerter and D’Angelo Russell. Chicago ended up being one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the league last season and they could use some help in that area of the game. Russell is certainly a less likely option, but the Bulls will be able to get something good in the LaVine trade.
If the Bulls do trade LaVine, there is the potential for a good package deal as well. For example, if they traded him for Kevin Huerter, they could get some other younger, less notable, but still talented players in the deal. The LaVine trade is a must this offseason.
Zach LaVine is an outstanding basketball player, but the trade makes too much sense for the Bulls to ignore it. Expect it to happen this offseason. The only question is, what will the Bulls get for him?
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