The Chicago Bulls are playing much better basketball these days, going from near the bottom of the Eastern Conference at the end of November to competing for a spot in the Play-in Tournament. While ninth place in the Eastern ladder may not sound glamorous, the Bulls were flat-out tragic late last year when they held a 5-14 record.
However, ESPN insider Brian Windhorst believes that this recent stretch of good fortune for the Bulls must not dissuade the front office from doing what it should have done long ago—break the core up and start anew.
It starts by trading Zach LaVine away
The Bulls have gone 4-2 since the return of All-Star guard Zach LaVine to the lineup. While he hasn’t been as dominant as before, LaVine is playing ball with his teammates, blending in with his new role as a facilitator. LaVine is averaging 16.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.7 assists in the six games he’s played since his return from a foot injury.
But according to Windhorst, recent developments haven’t changed a single thing between the Bulls and LaVine in that a trade still is best for both parties.
“If they could trade Zach LaVine in the next five minutes they would trade him and Zach would happily go to the airport," Windhorst said on NBA Today. "I don't think anything has changed there, I think they absolutely want to trade him,” Windhorst remarked on NBA on ESPN.
A fresh start
The emergence of Coby White as a fast-rising star has given the Bulls a newfound hope for the future. With his electrifying scoring ability and playmaking skills, White has quickly become a fan favorite and a key piece in the Bulls' present and future.
That said, Windhorst asserted that the Bulls must make moves to restructure their roster, regardless of how successful they have been these past few weeks, as the ceiling for this team remains woefully low.
“I think the Bulls need to restructure their (roster). I won't say rebuild; they need to restructure their team and this winning may convince them not to do it. You don't want to finish ninth or 10th,” Windhorst said.
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