Arturas Karnisovas and the Chicago Bulls have expressed to their rival executives with other teams a willingness to discuss Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic and Lonzo Ball in trade scenarios, sources tell Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. LaVine, Vucevic and Ball combine to make nearly $85 million in salary this season.
“Arturas is trying to drive up attention for all of his guys – he’s smart,” said one league figure with knowledge of the Bulls’ thinking. “The fact they were willing to move DeMar and [Alex] Caruso [this past offseason], they’re willing to move anybody [now].”
The Bulls stood pat at least season’s trade deadline despite receiving offers of multiple first round picks from the Golden State Warriors for Alex Caruso, and multiple second round picks from the Philadelphia 76ers for Andre Drummond. The Bulls eventually traded Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Josh Giddey, while Drummond signed with the Sixers as a free agent.
The Bulls’ front office has long had a directive from ownership to try to make the playoffs every year, but that has changed since the end of last season.
“That’s been the mandate for 30 years,” said one player agent.
The Bulls plan on meeting with the representation for both LaVine and Vucevic in December about the Bulls’ approach to the deadline. In order for the Bulls to unload any player, rival teams will be seeking Dalen Terry and Julian Phillips to be included.
LaVine’s trade market is limited. The Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors and Detroit Pistons have had interest in the past, but none are realistic destinations now.