Report highlights "direction" as something the Chicago Bulls need to address at the trade deadline

Chicago’s decision-makers need to figure out which way they’re heading.

© Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls’ improved play over the past month and a half has opened up a new set of problems that the team’s front office must solve. With the trade deadline on February 8 nearing, Bulls insider Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic wrote the team needs to figure out which direction it wants to take.

What’s the plan?

The Bulls have shown it can hang with the NBA’s big boys, thanks to the emergence of Coby White as a legitimate threat and the improved defense and ball movement.

 Mayberry notes that the team’s recent success may make it tempting to try and make a playoff push, but he argues that this would not be in the best long-term interest of the franchise. Instead, he suggests the Bulls should focus on building around their young players and making strategic moves to improve their roster.

“The Bulls must operate at this trade deadline with all eyes on the offseason. DeMar DeRozan is an impending free agent. Patrick Williams is set to be an unrestricted free agent. If the plan is to re-sign both in the name of continuity, efforts must be made now to retool the roster,” Mayberry wrote.

Keep Zach Lavine out he’s holding Coby White back!! pic.twitter.com/QPJ8oT3dCc

— . (@FieldsSzn69) January 11, 2024

Rebuild coming?

Experts and fans have long batted for the Bulls’ decision-makers to give the green light on a rebuild. However, the team has resisted committing to this path fully and instead tried to remain competitive while rebuilding.

However, it’s clear that the ceiling for this Bulls’ core is low, and the team needs to make some changes to compete for a championship truly. With DeRozan and Williams potentially leaving in free agency, there is a sense of urgency for the Bulls to make moves now. 

The franchise and its fans cannot afford a repeat of last year's trade deadline inactivity. Not taking action would have disastrous consequences.

“If the goal is to go in a different direction and perhaps rebuild, again, this is the time to act. Doing nothing, as the Bulls did in each of the past two trade deadlines, is unacceptable,” Mayberry continued.

Zach LaVine gets CRAFTY and makes the bucket 😮‍💨pic.twitter.com/11glDW4m54

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 6, 2024

Kevin Huerter and Harrison Barnes are rumored to be included in a potential trade for Zach LaVine