The Chicago Bulls might add one of the NBA’s finest offensive talents during the offseason.
The Bulls’ season hasn’t ended yet, but it’s not too early to consider roster adjustments. An opportunity to make a significant addition to the roster may arise. According to NBA Insider Marc Stein, Donovan Mitchell might be traded this offseason. Mitchell and Cleveland’s contract discussions have apparently stopped.
Mitchell is now in the third year of a five-year, $163 million contract that includes a player option in the 2025-26 season. He will become an unrestricted free agent in 2026. Per Marc Stein: “Donovan Mitchell will be entering the final guaranteed year of his current contract next season if there’s no extension, leading to a growing belief among rival teams that the Cavaliers will be forced to trade Mitchell in coming months if they cannot come to terms with him an extension.”
For the Bulls, the 2023-2024 season has been nothing short of terrible. A slew of injuries during the season kept the club from creating any stability. Adding an outstanding guard like Mitchell would be a significant boost for the Bulls. Mitchell might offer long-term offense for the Bulls’ youthful core.
The Bulls’ acquisition of Donovan Mitchell will not be cheap. Mitchell has been outstanding throughout his brief tenure with the Cavaliers. Mitchell, in his second season with the Cavaliers, averages 26.5 points, 6.1 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game. He leads the offense and has been a major contributor to the Cavs’ post-LeBron comeback. Cleveland will do everything they can to keep Mitchell, but if they can’t, they will trade him; he is too valuable to let go. Here’s where the Bulls come in. What will the Bulls have to offer if Donovan Mitchell is on the trading block, as reported?
The Bulls don’t have much draft money to deal with, so players are most likely the major compensation in a trade with Cleveland. Nikola Vucevic and Zach LaVine might be good fits in a Donovan Mitchell deal.
Ideally, young players such as Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu would be kept. They both showed significant gains in the 2023-2024 season. The future of Bulls basketball is likely to revolve on those two. If Mitchell is moved, the compensation should not be too high. This is due of Mitchell’s contractual condition. Mitchell is in the final year of his contract, therefore trading for him is a rental. Unless the team that gets him intends to sign Mitchell to a long-term agreement.
Donovan Mitchell might be eligible for a four-year deal for up to $200 million under the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement. A max contract is not something to laugh about. Signing a player to a max contract should only occur when a team is completely confident in the player’s abilities and fit with the squad. Mitchell is one of those players, but a max deal is a max contract, which means a lot of money.
Final thoughts. Donovan Mitchell would make a valuable addition to the Chicago Bulls. If the team could obtain him without having to sell the farm, that would be fantastic. Immediately signing Mitchell to an extension after the deal would also make the most sense. That way, the team could assure he’d be around for at least four years. Finally, do the Bulls really need Donovan Mitchell? If Coby and Ayo continue to grow, the answer is no. The two have the potential to make a dangerous backcourt, and there are already glimpses of this. The Bulls should search for methods to strengthen their forward and center positions. Guard play is one of the Bulls’ strengths, especially if Lonzo Ball can get back to 100 percent.
