The Chicago Bulls experienced a noticeable decline in their defensive performance last season, plummeting from having the fifth-best defensive rating in 2022-23 to the ninth-worst this past season. This regression has been largely attributed to their lack of length and athleticism on the perimeter. As the offseason approaches, the Bulls are expected to make significant changes, and one potential move that could address their defensive issues is trading for Golden State Warriors star Andrew Wiggins.
A proposed trade scenario suggests that the Bulls could acquire Wiggins, along with a 2024 second-round pick and a 2026 first-round pick, in exchange for Alex Caruso and Nikola Vucevic. Wiggins, who is in the second year of a four-year, $109 million contract, averaged 13.2 points and 1.7 assists per game last season, his lowest career averages. Despite this, his defensive capabilities and experience could provide a much-needed boost to the Bulls’ perimeter defense.
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report posits that the Bulls might not completely dismantle their current roster. Instead, they could retain some core talent, like breakout star Coby White, while refreshing their veteran lineup. Trading Vucevic and Caruso for Wiggins might be painful in the short term, but it holds the promise of a brighter future. Wiggins’ addition could help balance the roster, aligning more closely with Zach LaVine’s timeline and possibly setting the stage for a stronger, more competitive team.
The Bulls face several roster-building challenges, especially with DeMar DeRozan entering unrestricted free agency and LaVine already on the trade block. The potential departure of DeRozan could be the catalyst for a significant shift in the Bulls’ strategy. LaVine, despite his talent, has seen his trade value diminish due to his injury history and playing style, which complicates the Bulls’ efforts to find a suitable trade partner.
Furthermore, the Bulls’ management has a high regard for Vucevic, who signed a three-year, $60 million contract last offseason. Despite his struggles, particularly with his three-point shooting, Vucevic remains a valuable asset. Caruso, coming off back-to-back All-Defensive selections, would be a high-value trade piece, given his impressive performance last season.
Integrating Wiggins into a lineup that includes Patrick Williams (assuming he returns in restricted free agency) could help mitigate some of LaVine’s defensive shortcomings. Wiggins’ defensive prowess would be instrumental in addressing the Bulls’ perimeter defense issues, which contributed significantly to their decline last season. The Bulls could also look to Andre Drummond, who performed well in limited minutes last season, to fill the void left by Vucevic in the starting lineup.
In conclusion, while trading for Andrew Wiggins would involve significant changes and some short-term sacrifices, it could ultimately position the Bulls for a more promising future. By addressing their defensive deficiencies and retooling around key players, the Bulls could emerge as a stronger, more balanced team ready to compete at a higher level.
