Chicago Bulls suffer blow in Damian Lillard sweepstakes

The Chicago Bulls saw their name enter the Damian Lillard sweepstakes on Wednesday. Kyle Neubeck of PHLY_Sports had reported that the Bulls were exploring three-team trades to land the star guard. Zach LaVine was noted as the primary trade piece the Bulls were willing to offer. However, Chicago's hopes of landing Lillard have taken a big hit.

According to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, the Portland Trail Blazers have "little interest" in LaVine. Portland will be looking to enter a rebuild once Lillard is traded. LaVine, 28, wouldn't fit the Trail Blazers timeline. 

"Multiple league sources indicated throughout the offseason that the Trail Blazers showed little interest in acquiring LaVine directly, mostly because he doesn't match their rebuilding path and commitment to a young backcourt of Scoot Henderson and Anfernee Simons," Johnson wrote. 

Chicago is in a precarious position. The front office constructed a roster they believed could contend for a championship. However, Lonzo Ball's persistent knee injury has scuppered their chances in recent years. Ball is not expected to play in the upcoming season, either. Trading LaVine may be the Bulls' best chance of landing a new star and changing the outlook of the upcoming season. 

Lillard would likely have no interest in joining the Bulls. The Trail Blazers star wants to compete immediately. Chicago can't offer those kind of assurances. Trading Lillard to Chicago wouldn't be good optics for the franchise. There are many fans who believe the veteran guard should be sent to a situation where he can achieve his goals. There's a fine line to walk between what's best for Lillard and what's best for Portland. 

LaVine may find himself floated in more trade talks in the coming months, most notably around February. However, Lillard-to-Chicago is a rumor that seems unlikely to gain any further traction, if it ever had any at all.