Proposed three-team trade nets Bulls draft capital for two-time All-Star

Joe Mayo

Proposed three-team trade nets Bulls draft capital for two-time All-Star image

The Chicago Bulls are deep into a rebuilding phase, having missed the postseason in seven of the past eight seasons. 

When the Bulls last made the playoffs in the 2021-22 season, they were led by the trio of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic. Now, only Vucevic, Patrick Williams, Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu remain from that roster. 

Rohan Raman of SI.com recently compiled a mock trade that would send two of those remaining players elsewhere, landing the Bulls draft capital and experienced role players in return. 

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Here’s Raman’s proposed trade:

Bulls receive: Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, 2028 first-round pick swap (via LAL), 2026 second-round pick, (via BOS, from ATL), 2029 second-round pick (via CLE, from ATL), 2032 second-round pick (via ATL)

Hawks receive: Ayo Dosunmu 

Lakers receive: Nikola Vucevic 

Vucevic has been the subject of trade speculation since before the 2024-25 season, and this deal would allow the Bulls to offload two expiring contracts. 

While the veteran big man has remained a nightly double-double threat for Chicago, his timeline no longer aligns with the team’s long-term vision. Dosunmu, a 25-year-old guard known for his defensive energy and versatility, has been a productive contributor but is set to enter unrestricted free agency next summer. Rather than risk losing him for nothing, the Bulls could flip him for future assets. 

Vincent and Kleber likely wouldn’t move the needle for the Bulls, but both are on expiring contracts that would offer the team added financial flexibility. Although the draft capital isn’t overwhelming, the trade could help position Chicago for the future.

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Joe Mayo

Joe Mayo is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. Born and raised in Wisconsin, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2024. He’s also a contributor at RotoWire. While Joe primarily writes about the NBA, he also covers the WNBA and MLB.