Head coach Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls. The Chicago Bulls will likely have to pivot off their previously held stance of trading Zach LaVine, with the two-time All-Star out for the season.
But a different two-time All-Star could be on the move with the trade deadline just days away.
“With Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine set to undergo season-ending surgery on his right foot, trade talks with the Pistons have stalled with Detroit no longer interested,” HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto wrote on February 5. “One Bulls player who could be dealt, however, is center Andre Drummond.”
Drummond, 29, has “drawn trade interest” from the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, and Phoenix Suns.
Scotto also notes the Houston Rockets’ previous interest before trading for Steven Adams.
Boston and Phoenix are the only new links for Drummond, who has noted he still believes he is a starter.
The Lakers’ interest in the four-time rebounding champion is also not new, with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reporting on January 23 that they considered trading for him in preparation for a playoff series against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.
He – along with Bulls guard Alex Caruso – spent the 2021 season with the Lakers.
Drummond was also expected to opt out of the second year of his two-year, $6.6 million contract to join the Mavericks this past offseason
“Andre Drummond defied expectations Thursday and exercised his $3.4 million player option to stay with Chicago,” The Stein Line’s Marc Stein wrote on June 30. “The problem for Drummond: His projected preferred landing spot in Dallas does not currently have an opening at center.”
Drummond is averaging 7.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.1 steals this season. He’s averaging 14.0 points and 17.4 rebounds in seven starts this season. The Bulls risk losing him for nothing this offseason if they do not find a trade.
The Bulls signed starter Nikola Vucevic to a three-year, $60 million contract ahead of free agency this past offseason.
“When the Bulls re-signed Nikola Vučević … the decision was not popular even if most understood the team’s logic,” The Athletic’s Darnell Mayberry wrote on February 4. “With the team’s record and the way Vučević, 33, has performed, that decision also looks suspect.
“His passing and defensive rebounding continue to be skills the Bulls rely on, but things get wonky when comparing value [to Drummond].”
In a surprising turn of events, it seems that Nikola Vucevic is not attracting much attention ahead of the trade deadline. According to NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson, there doesn’t appear to be a market for the talented player. Additionally, Johnson has not heard any rumors about the Bulls wanting to part ways with Vucevic, especially after re-signing him. This news comes as a surprise, considering Vucevic’s skillset and the potential impact he could have on a team.
However, it’s a different story for Andre Drummond. Johnson suggests that Drummond could be on the move, with teams potentially offering a young player from their rotation or some minor draft capital in exchange. This indicates that there may be more interest in Drummond compared to Vucevic.
While the Bulls have not been open to trading guard Caruso, their future remains uncertain. They are determined to bring back DeMar DeRozan next season, but their current standing in the Eastern Conference is precarious. Currently holding onto the ninth spot, the Bulls have decided to keep their roster intact for the third consecutive trade deadline.
Overall, the trade market seems quiet for Vucevic, but there could be some movement surrounding Drummond. As for the Bulls, they are in a holding pattern, hoping to secure a playoff spot while keeping their core intact. The coming days leading up to the trade deadline will surely bring more surprises and speculations in the NBA world.