The Chicago Bulls were one of the biggest losers at the NBA trade deadline, failing to make a significant move in the middle of a lost season. As the franchise continues to slide down the NBA standings, there is more clarity on exactly why Chicago was so silent before a busy deadline.
Chicago’s front office went all-in with a core of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. Seeking to make a push in the Eastern Conference, the Bulls also fortified their depth with Andre Drummond, Alex Caruso, Patrick Williams and Ayo Dosunmu.
- Alex Caruso stats (2022-’23): 5.5 PPG, 3.2 APG, 3.1 APG, 1.7 SPG, 38.1% 3PT
However, the team sits outside the NBA playoff picture with no signs of improvement on the horizon. As the trade deadline drew close, fans hoped the front office would break the roster up with an aggressive approach as sellers. Instead, Chicago was quiet. Now, we may know why.
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According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Bulls had ‘high demands’ before the NBA trade deadline. For example, teams inquiring into Caruso were told the Bulls could get “upwards of two first-rounders” for the wing.
Caruso provides reliability off the bench, averaging nearly 25 minutes per game with a consistent shot from the perimeter and excellent defense. The 28-year-old would’ve pride a championship contender with much-needed depth to make a push for the NBA Finals, but not at that price.
Of the rotational pieces traded at the deadline, a majority of them were moved for a package of second-round picks. While some of those selections will be higher in Round 2 of the 2023 NBA Draft order, many of them are originally from teams with the highest NBA Finals odds.
- Alex Caruso contract: $9.03 million salary (2023), $9.46 million salary (2023-’24)
More importantly, any NBA team who learned it would cost two first-round picks just to acquire Caruso likely backed away from all negotiations with Chicago. Now, the franchise is facing increasing skepticism for the future from fans amid a growing division within the locker room.
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To make matters worse, point guard Lonzo Ball is still dealing with discomfort in his left knee and the 25-year-old now believes there’s a chance he won’t return this season. All of this for a franchise that won’t have its own first-round pick in the NBA Draft.