Despite being a couple of games under .500 and barely holding on to a playoff spot, the Chicago Bulls reportedly still intend to make a push to make some noise in the postseason, and won’t be the sellers that some have speculated at the NBA trade deadline.
There were some lofty expectations for the Chicago Bulls in 2022-2023. The franchise was ahead of schedule on a rebuild and stunned the league by finishing 10 games over .500 and earning the sixth seed in last season’s playoffs.
Related: 2023 NBA trade tracker – Jae Crowder traded a second time, now headed to Bucks
That’s why it’s understandable they hoped to take another step forward this season with two returning All-Stars and even better chemistry. However, Lonzo Ball’s absence has been a key factor in the disastrous results for the team over the last four months.
With a 26-28 record heading into the NBA trade deadline, and reported friction in the locker room, the expectation was the team could be sellers on Feb. 9. Well, a new report claims that is far from the plan for the Chicago Bulls on Thursday.
Chicago Bulls hoping to add, not subtract at NBA trade deadline
On Wednesday, Yahoo Sports NBA insider Jake Fischer gave an update on the Chicago Bulls thinking ahead of the 3 PM ET deadline, and it seems the team is looking to actually add pieces to the roster, and would only be willing to consider trades that bring a return that improves the team now, and not for the future.
“Teams are going to look at Zach LaVine [as a trade target], but the Bulls are consistently trying to get better. The fact that they’re being linked to Russell Westbrook on the buyout market says something there too. I’ve been told from teams who’ve called on [Alex] Caruso, the Bulls only really want things, pieces, players back that keeps them competitive right now. They want to make the Play-In Tournament, and make a run.”
– Jake Fischer on Chicago Bulls at deadline
Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, Nikola Vucevic, and Andre Drummond have all been linked to trade rumors and speculation in recent weeks. However, as the NBA trade deadline grows nearer, it seems like the Chicago Bulls have no plans of blowing up what has been a messy mix this season.