The Chicago Bulls’ defense significantly regressed last season, dropping from the fifth-best rating in 2022-23 to the ninth-worst this past season, according to NBA.com Advanced Stats. A major factor in this decline was their lack of length and athleticism on the perimeter.
With an offseason full of expected changes, trading for Golden State Warriors star Andrew Wiggins could revitalize the Bulls. This move could also address future roster-building concerns.
Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley noted on May 29, “The Bulls probably won’t completely rebuild—they’ll want to keep talent around breakout star Coby White—but they might revamp their veteran core. Swapping Nikola Vučević and Alex Caruso for Wiggins, a second-round pick, and a future first-rounder may sting now but promises a brighter future.”
Here’s how Buckley’s hypothetical trade would break down for the Bulls and Warriors.
**Bulls receive:**
– Andrew Wiggins
– 2024 second-round pick (No. 52 overall)
– 2026 first-round pick (top-four protected)
**Warriors receive:**
– Alex Caruso
– Nikola Vučević
Wiggins is in the second year of a four-year, $109 million contract. Last season, he averaged career lows with 13.2 points and 1.7 assists per game and came off the bench for the first time in his career, starting in 59 of his 71 appearances. Wiggins, a former Minnesota Timberwolves star and ex-teammate of Zach LaVine, is set to count $26.3 million against the cap next season and has a $30.2 million player option for 2026-27. At 29, Wiggins would align well with LaVine, who is also 29.
“Chicago doesn’t seem interested in rebuilding this offseason, but why not? DeMar DeRozan is entering free agency, and Zach LaVine is already on the trade block. Conditions are perfect for a fresh start,” Buckley wrote.
In Buckley’s scenario, DeRozan would need to leave first, forcing a shift in the Bulls’ current plan. LaVine’s role in this scenario might be moot, given his three years and $138 million remaining on his contract. LaVine’s injury history and playing style have decreased his trade value, and this trend could continue after another injury-shortened season.
NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson suggested Caruso might need to be included to offload LaVine’s contract, though the Bulls would likely be reluctant. The Bulls also value Vučević, who signed a three-year, $60 million contract last offseason. However, this deal was criticized and may be viewed even more negatively after a season where Vučević shot a career-low 29.4% from beyond the arc.
Trading Caruso, coming off consecutive All-Defensive selections, would be selling high. Caruso averaged a career-high 10.1 points and shot 40.8% on 4.7 deep attempts last season. He is entering the final season of a four-year, $36.9 million contract, and the Bulls want to extend him.
It remains unclear if losing DeRozan would lead to a drastic shift in the Bulls’ strategy. However, acquiring Andrew Wiggins could address their defensive issues, especially if paired with Patrick Williams, assuming he returns in restricted free agency. Wiggins could help mitigate LaVine’s defensive shortcomings, potentially solving one of the key factors in their defensive decline from last season.
