The Chicago Bulls took an aggressive gamble by trading for Nikola Vucevic ahead of the trade deadline, but they made sure to cover themselves in case of disaster by adding protections to the pair of first-round picks (2021, 2023) they dealt to the Orlando Magic along with Wendell Carter Jr. and Otto Porter Jr.
It was a good thing the Bulls made sure these protections were included, because the end of the season did indeed turn into a disaster. Zach LaVine was hobbled by an ankle injury in the immediate aftermath of the deadline and then missed 11 games because of a positive COVID-19 test. Chicago finished 31-41, missed the play-in tournament and wound up in the No. 8 slot for Tuesday night’s 2021 NBA Draft Lottery after a tiebreaker.
The Bulls’ 2021 first-round pick going to the Magic is protected 1-4, meaning Chicago has a 20.3% chance of keeping the pick. The Bulls have a 4.5% chance of winning the No. 1 pick. If Chicago moves up into the top four and keeps the pick, Orlando would then be in line to get the 2022 first-round pick, but protected 1-3 instead. That scenario would then shift back the other pick the Bulls owe.
Chicago wasn’t planning to falter like it did after the deadline, but still having that opportunity to keep the pick is crucial as the front office looks to retool the roster. Keeping that selection would open up a number of opportunities for the Bulls, whether that’s drafting one of the top players like Cade Cunningham, Jalen Suggs, Jalen Green or Evan Mobley, or perhaps using it as a trade chip (the trade would technically have to be done after the draft) for a ready-made star to match up with LaVine and Vucevic’s timeline.
With LaVine currently set to hit free agency next offseason and Vucevic turning 31 at the start of next season, there’s some pressure to improve the team in a big way this summer. Coby White could miss the start of 2021-22 because of shoulder surgery, so that’s also a factor that must be considered when building the team.
Packaging the first-round pick and Patrick Williams could net the Bulls something really valuable, or even sending just one of these prime assets could help bring in win-now talent. Ben Simmons trade speculation is already starting, though it’s fair to debate just what a fair offer would be after the Philadelphia 76ers star tanked his value with a poor playoff showing.
Of course, Chicago wouldn’t have to make a deal and could look to play the longer game with one of the young studs in the draft. They would have that flexibility if they keep the pick, so, again, it would really help their team-building strategy if they get lottery luck. If they don’t keep it, the front office will pivot to other scenarios to build around LaVine and Vucevic. One small silver lining would be not having the cap number on the books in case space is needed for a big signing, but keeping the pick obviously outweighs that.
Bulls general manager Marc Eversley will be the one trying to bring the luck as the on-camera representative. Chicago moved up from No. 7 to No. 4 last year with executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas as the representative, so the hope is for at least a repeat of that. The lottery is set to take place at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The Bulls also have the No. 38 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, which takes place on July 29.
