The Bulls entered the 2017-18 season looking like they would be bottom-feeders competing for the top pick in the NBA Draft. The physical altercation between Bobby Portis and Nikola Mirotic that led to a facial fracture for Mirotic seemingly ensured that the Bulls would be the worst team in the NBA. And for the first month and a half of the season they were. The Bulls kicked off the year with a putrid 3-20 record, on pace to be an all-time bad team. Through that 23-game stretch they posted a preposterously bad -11.2 point differential and an unthinkable offensive rating of 96.2, which would be one of the bottom-ten marks in NBA history over a full year (per Basketball-Reference).
Things were essentially going according to plan though. After trading Jimmy Butler and buying out Dwyane Wade last summer, Chicago made a clear decision to bottom out and play the NBA lottery game. Since the return of Nikola Mirotic however, the Bulls have morphed into an entirely different team. The lowly Bulls have gone 15-9 since Niko’s return and their mini renaissance has been nothing short of remarkable. The offense has completely turned around. Although the Bulls still rank 28th in offensive efficiency on the season, they’ve been a top-fifteen offense since Mirotic’s Dec. 8 return. The defense has right around league average as well.
As awesome as Chicago’s resurrection has been, the team’s winning ways are not especially conducive to the franchise’s long-term development. With Mirotic lighting the world on fire, Markkanen showing signs of brilliance and Kris Dunn proving he’s a legit NBA player, the Bulls have steadily reduced their odds of landing a top pick in this year’s lottery.
The Bulls are in an interesting spot right now. They have a ton of cap flexibility moving forward, with little bad salary on the books past 2019; they could be major players in free agency in both of the next two summers if they so desire. At this point, Chicago’s best option is probably to sell at the deadline. Pushing toward the bottom of the league standings for the remainder of the season would give the team a shot at an awesome pick before the league’s new lottery rules kick in. At the same time, they could also take on dead salary from teams eager to duck the tax. Receiving some poisonous salary could net the Bulls some future draft assets. Of course, they should be very cautious about taking on long-term money whatever the case.
Nikola Mirotic has been a revelation this season for the Bulls. His statistics, although they are almost certainly unsustainable, speak for themselves. A traditionally streaky shooter, Mirotic is draininga blistering 44 percent from 3-point land on more than 6 attempts per game. He’s been a human torch, sporting a career high 62.4 true shooting percentage and converting spot ups at one of the league’s best rates this season.
Mirotic is almost certainly the guy on this Chicago squad that will attract the most interest on the trade market. He’s is on a solid contract and given his current level of play, his trade value has never been higher. Mirotic, who’s been pushing to leave Chicago since the Portis fight, would forego his no trade clause if a workable deal to a team in playoff contention emerges. The incident seems to have frayed Mirotic’s relations with the team beyond repair. Moving on thus makes sense for both parties, but what will the Bulls actually get for him? Right now they’re asking for a first-rounder from teams, which might be a bit too much.
The Jazz have emerged as a potential suitor for Mirotic, apparently dangling Derrick Favors in trade talks. Mirotic could really help the Jazz by spacing the floor at the four spot; he would definitely be an upgrade over Jonas Jerebko. Favors is on an expiring deal so the Bulls could let him walk after the end of the year and open up some hefty cap space next summer. He’s a solid, veteran player though and adding him probably won’t help a tank job. Moreover, the Bulls probably can’t extract a first-rounder out of the Jazz.
The shooting starved Portland Trail Blazers are another team that seem to be interested in the services of Mirotic. The Blazers are butting up against the luxury tax with a middling team, so they’ll be looking to get rid of bad contracts and get better at the deadline. Something like Moe Harkless, Noah Vonleh and a first-rounder for Mirotic might work for both sides. The Blazers would get a reliable shooter at the four and the Bulls would get a nice pick in return for some crappy salary.
Beyond Mirotic, the Bulls don’t have that many coveted pieces. This is a roster stocked with young guys still on their rookie deals, but the value of those youngsters varies wildly though. Guys like Markkanen and Dunn project to be part of Chicago’s long-term plans and won’t be moved. At the other end of the spectrum players like Jerian Grant and Cam Payne have no value around the league. Perhaps Justin Holiday could draw some interest as a guard that can hit 3-pointers off the bench. Moving Robin Lopez is also a possibility, but his market will be very limited if it exists at all.
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In terms of acquisitions, the Bulls will probably make little noise. If anything, they’ll be a dumping ground for teams looking to cut potential luxury payments. The Cleveland Cavs come to mind here as a likely trade partner. The Cavs are deep in the luxury tax again, so they’ll have to pay a gargantuan repeater tax bill if they stand pat. Parting ways with guys like Channing Frye and Iman Shumpert will definitely be a priority for them as the deadline approaches. The Bulls could step in and take take one of those guys into their space in return for a future second rounder. Golden State, OKC and Portland are a few other teams that will look to get rid of poisonous contracts as well.