Even though the 2024-25 NBA season is still young, the Chicago Bulls are trending towards missing their third consecutive postseason. Billy Donovan’s team is sitting at an 8-12 record through 20 games, meaning that – barring an unexpected turnaround – the Bulls will likely miss the playoffs once again.

If the wins don’t start to fall, Chicago could be one of the more prominent sellers leading up to the NBA trade deadline. The Bulls have been due for a proper rebuild for some time and moving on from certain veteran players would kickstart the process. Although there are a few trade routes the franchise could go down in the coming months, NBA insider Jake Fischer is listing three key names as the most likely trade candidates: Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic and Lonzo Ball. “Bulls executives, according to league sources, have been messaging to rival front offices that they are willing to discuss the majority of their roster,” Fischer reported on Friday.

“Most notably, sources say, Chicago has expressed a desire to move LaVine, Vucevic and Ball.” Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) and Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) react after a foul call during the second half at FedExForum. © Petre Thomas-Imagn Images © Petre Thomas-Imagn Images The aforementioned trio are three of the Bulls’ best players, so it makes sense that the franchise would be open to trading them. They provide general manager Marc Eversley with the best opportunity to bring in promising returns that can help with the rebuild. LaVine’s name has been tied to trade rumors for quite some time.

The Bulls reportedly tried to move him ahead of the 2024 trade deadline, however, a season-ending foot injury prevented him from being moved. After recovering from that injury, the former UCLA product could draw interest again. LaVine has been the Bulls’ best player this season, averaging 21.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists while shooting 51.0 percent from the floor and 43.4 percent from deep in 17 games. Having said that, moving LaVine could be easier said than done because of his contract. The 29-year-old sharpshooter is on the books for $43 million this year and $45.9 million next season before he has to decide on his $48.9 million player option in 2026-27.

As for Vucevic, he’s been tagged as a trade candidate after the Bulls missed the last postseason. The two-time NBA All-Star center hasn’t been the game-changer the franchise thought he’d be when he was acquired from the Orlando Magic back in March 2021. Even though he has transformed the Bulls into title contenders, Vucevic is still good enough to land a decent trade return.

He’s experienced one of his better performances since moving to the Windy City, averaging 20.4 points and 9.9 rebounds while stretching the floor with 3.3 assists and 2.0 threes made (on 44.9 percent shooting) per game. Much like LaVine, any team inquiring about Vucevic knows that he isn’t a one-year rental. After making $20 million this season, the 34-year-old’s cap hit will increase to $21.4 million next year. Vooch’s fake sent the defense flying

While Bulls fans are used to LaVine and Vucevic’s names being attached to trade conversations, Ball is a new addition to the mix. After knee-related injuries two away more than two seasons of his career, NBA enthusiasts were hoping to see a healthy 2024-25 campaign for the ex-UCLA point guard. Instead, Ball has been plagued by injuries again, holding him to an average of 5.0 points, 3.5 assists and 2.3 rebounds while averaging 15.5 minutes across four appearances.

With his best days looking to be in the rearview, it might not be that shocking that the Bulls are open to moving on from Ball. He’s playing on an expiring contract at $21.3 million this season and if there aren’t any plans to re-sign him in the offseason, it makes sense for the Bulls to trade him for any return rather than losing him for nothing in free agency. It’ll be interesting to see whether one or all of the Bulls’ three trade candidates are moved this season. Getting rid of the entire trio would save about $85 million in salary space, which might be too enticing for GM Eversley to pass up on. Bulls fans will know more about the trio’s future as the season gets closer to the Feb. 6 trade deadline.