Trades are brewing around the association as the February 6 deadline nears. Following two trades to kick off the unofficial trade season in mid-December, the Phoenix Suns and Charlotte Hornets recently agreed to a swap sending center Nick Richards to Phoenix and forward Josh Okogie to Charlotte. The Hornets acquired three second-rounders from the Suns as part of the trade.
Although this is not an exciting trade involving an All-Star, it is likely a precursor to what’s to come. Cash-strapped squads, such as the Suns, are unable to acquire high-priced stars under the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Phoenix even cut costs by trading Okogie ($8.25 million) for Richards ($5 million).
By the nature of the NBA, buying teams are likely contenders near or above the luxury tax, making trading more difficult for the upper echelon of teams. Thus, smaller, more decisive trades will be common throughout the next few weeks as contenders aim for a postseason push.
One of these players who isn’t likely to be involved in a trade prior to February 6 is Chicago Bulls’ guard Zach LaVine. Although LaVine has been frequently mentioned as a trade candidate for well over a year, the three years and $138 million make LaVine an improbable candidate. However, aside from LaVine, several other Bulls are prime candidates on this year’s trade block. Below, we’ve ranked every Bull from very likely to untouchable ahead of the deadline.
Ranking every Chicago Bulls player’s likelihood of being traded
Very Likely
This grouping includes players that are coveted or possess moveable contracts.
Torrey Craig
The likeliest player to be traded on the Bulls is Torrey Craig. At 34 years old without a spot in Billy Donovan’s rotation, contending squads in need of a 3-and-D wing are surely monitoring Craig. The 6-foot-7 forward is slated to earn $2.8 million before entering unrestricted free agency this offseason. Craig’s contract makes him an undeniable trade candidate.
Likelihood of being traded: 80%
Nikola Vucevic
Nikola Vucevic falls between a high-priced veteran and an affordable option. At $20 million annually, Vooch is the 12th-highest-paid center in the NBA. Averaging 20.1 points and 10.4 rebounds while swishing 42.2 percent of his three-pointers—Vucevic is worth the price. He’s recently been linked to the Golden State Warriors, who are in need of frontcourt help. Vooch isn’t the most likely Bull to be traded because of his age when his contract expires in 2026.
Likelihood of being traded: 65%
Lonzo Ball
Lonzo Ball is earning just above Vucevic, raking in $21.4 million this season. Due to Lonzo’s expiring contract, he’s a de facto prime trade candidate. While the 6-foot-6 guard is still ramping up after missing two-plus seasons because of knee injuries, his value remains high. He’s a disruptive defender, high IQ passer, and solid three-point marksman. Ball is averaging 12.7 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.0 three-pointers over his last three contests.
Likelihood of being traded: 50%
Somewhat Likely
These players teeter between “very likely” and “not likely.” Each player below is sandwiched between the two categories because of at least one drawback.
Patrick Williams
The answer is probably yes. The Bulls should and would like to trade Patrick Williams. After drafting Williams fourth overall in 2020, the 6-foot-8 wing has yet to realize his full potential. Williams averages just 9.4 points while converting 38.1 percent of his field goals in his fifth season. He’s still only 23 years old, but the five-year, $90 million pact he signed in the offseason will make teams think twice when inquiring.
Likelihood of being traded: 45%
Chris Duarte
If Chris Duarte were signed to a minimum contract, he’d be below Craig as the second most likely Bull to be traded. However, Duarte is playing on the rookie contract he signed in 2021. Thus, his salary is $5.8 million. An Okogie-like scenario could occur, but Duarte has displayed minimal value this season, only appearing in 16 games and scoring 36 points.
Likelihood of being traded: 40%
Jevon Carter
Another player like Duarte, Jevon Carter, has yet to crack Donovan’s guard-heavy rotation despite earning $6.5 million. Unlike Duarte, Carter still has another season left on his contract before he’ll enter free agency. The 6-foot-1 guard is a player the Bulls would presumably like to trade, but the likelihood of a trade coming to fruition is low.
Likelihood of being traded: 35%
Zach LaVine
LaVine’s name is constantly thrown out as a trade candidate. From ESPN to Bleacher Report, hypothetical trades involving LaVine run rampant. Even though the trade chatter is loud, LaVine is likely to stay put. His contract makes him one of the more difficult players to trade for. Only 17 players are making more than the two-time All-Star this season.
Likelihood of being traded: 30%
Dalen Terry
It wasn’t too long ago that 22-year-old Dalen Terry was mentioned as a trade chip. Teams around the league reportedly valued Terry as a potential sweetener in any deal involving a high-priced player. At 6-foot-7 with guard skills, the Arizona product is a coveted archetype. Nevertheless, Chicago is still waiting on the former 18th overall pick to elevate his game. Terry averages only 3.6 points in 12.9 minutes per contest.
Likelihood of being traded: 25%
Julian Phillips
Julian Phillips and Terry are synonymous. Both are young and talented yet on the cusp of becoming a rotation-level player. At 21-years-old, Phillips has arguably shown more potential than Terry. The 6-foot-8 wing averages 4.5 points in 13.7 minutes this season. He could just as easily be added to any trade as a sweetener, but the Bulls will likely hold onto Phillips throughout his rookie contract.
Likelihood of being traded: 25%
Talen Horton-Tucker
Sure, why not? Talen Horton-Tucker could be traded. Earning just over $2 million, the 24-year-old is one of the easier players to acquire. Conversely, there hasn’t been any trade chatter involving Horton-Tucker. He’s having one of his more efficient seasons, but teams have never shown much interest in the 6-foot-4 wing.
Likelihood of being traded: 20%
Not Likely
These players have rarely been mentioned as trade candidates, and because of their future importance, they are closer to the “untouchable” grouping.
Jalen Smith
Jalen Smith doesn’t necessarily fall into the “future importance” category. He’s 24 years old but a career backup. Teams are well aware of what the 6-foot-10 big man offers. He’s a competent floor-spacer and above-average rebounder above all else. At nearly $9 million with two seasons left on his contract, don’t expect Smith to be traded.
Likelihood of being traded: 15%
Coby White
He should be considered part of Chicago’s long-term plans. White is the most impactful recent draftee on the roster. He’s only 24 years old (what’s up with all the 24-year-olds?) and ranks third on the team in scoring and second in minutes and assists per game. The Bulls should demand an intriguing mix of young prospects and draft capital to offload the former North Carolina Tar Heel.
Likelihood of being traded: 10%
Ayo Dosunmu
Dosunmu is like Coby, although a year older and not as valuable on the trade market. He’s lower on the trade likelihood scale because White is the more sought-after player. Dosunmu is what he is at this stage in his career. He is a solid yet unspectacular scorer, a great rebounder for his size, and a dependable secondary playmaker.
Likelihood of being traded: 10%
Josh Giddey
What to make of Josh Giddey? At 6-foot-8 with an exceptional basketball IQ, Giddey falls into the uber-desirable jumbo-playmaker archetype. However, his shooting and defense are so behind that his fit is questionable in any lineup. Who does he guard? What does he do off-ball? There are more questions to be asked than answers. After being traded less than a year ago, the Bulls are still figuring out if the Aussie falls into their long-term plans.
Likelihood of being traded: 5%
Untouchable
This grouping is reserved for a player who has yet to prove his worth despite being a lottery pick.
Matas Buzelis
No, Matas Buzelis is not setting the world ablaze. He’s averaging only 4.9 points and shooting 38.1 percent from the floor in 12.9 minutes per game. Only 39 games into NBA career, Buzelis gets a pass. He’s Chicago’s most recent lottery pick. And he oozes potential at 6-foot-10 with a guard-like playstyle. Therefore, it’d be unthinkable for the Bulls to trade Buzelis midway through his rookie season.
Likelihood of being traded: 1%