Anything goes: No draft picks, but Bulls could benefit from chaotic NBA summer
The Bulls' chances of failure in last week's NBA Draft Lottery were 98.2%, so there's no point complaining about their lack of draft picks.
If there's any cause for optimism after that lottery loss, it's how this summer is shaping up to be chaotic across the NBA. A number of teams will be looking for help, trying to reload or in desperate need of changes.
As mentioned before, the correct approach for the Bulls' management team of Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley this summer is to be open to everything. Trade Zach LaVine, trade DeMar DeRozan, move on from Nikola Vucevic, bring back Patrick Beverley, none of the above - the best path will depend on what's being offered.
So here's a quick look at some of the teams headed in the wrong general direction:
Portland
Issue: Either build a winner around Damian Lillard or trade him.
Trade bait: The Blazers have the No. 3 draft pick and will likely be pushing Anfernee Simons, who already signed an extension worth $100 million over four years. A team like the Bulls should hang up the phone if Portland tries to include frequently-injured center Jusuf Nurkic.
There's bound to be speculation about DeRozan heading to Portland. That's not a slam dunk by any means, but Simons did post decent numbers last season with 21.1 points and shoots a career 38.7% from 3.
Phoenix
Issue: A better supporting cast for Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.
Trade bait: That's the problem. After sending Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson to Brooklyn to get Durant, the cupboard is pretty bare. And Chris Paul is 38.
If anyone's going to go, it's probably center DeAndre Ayton after a lackluster playoff performance. He's owed $102 million over the next three years, which isn't terrible by today's prices. Would they want Nikola Vucevic to take over at center? You never know, but he's probably not their first choice. If the Bulls think a LaVine-Ayton pairing can work like De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis in Sacramento, they'd be wrong.
Dallas
Issue: The Mavs backed themselves into a corner by trading for free agent Kyrie Irving and have no depth with Jalen Brunson and Dorian Finney-Smith gone.
Trade bait: Dallas has the No. 10 draft pick, Tim Hardaway Jr., Davis Bertans and some filler. The Bulls could use more shooters, but Hardaway (career 36.1%) is probably overrated as a 3-point threat, and Bertans averaged 4.6 points last season.
Toronto
Issue: Stagnant team needs to do something.
Trade bait: The Raptors will probably be open to anything. Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. are entering the final years of their contracts. OG Anunoby seems ready for a change of scenery.
It seems unlikely Toronto boss Masai Ujiri is dreaming of a DeRozan reunion, but the Bulls might return a call about VanVleet, considering their point guard situation.
Philadelphia
Issue: The Sixers need a missing piece to push them past the second round.
Trade bait: Philadelphia isn't likely to give up Joel Embiid or Tyrese Maxey, so there's not much that would help the Bulls. Tobias Harris is down to one year left on his ridiculous contract ($39 million next year), but he's not what the Bulls need.
Golden State
Issue: A championship team on a downslide facing an enormous tax bill.
Trade bait: Hard to picture a scenario where Bulls and Warriors could help each other. But if Golden State is looking to lower the tax obligation, Jonathan Kuminga has played really well against the Bulls.
L.A. Clippers
Issue: A non-championship team on the downslide facing an enormous tax bill.
Trade bait: DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard Round 2 anyone? Yeah, it's not happening.
Detroit
Issue: Too many big men.
Trade bait: James Wiseman, Marvin Bagley, Jalen Duren, Isaiah Stewart, take your pick. Actually, the undersized Stewart might be a nice fit for the Bulls if available.
New Orleans
Issue: Talent doesn't match performance.
Trade bait: Besides maybe C.J. McCollum, most Pelicans players could help the Bulls. There may never be a better time to send a lowball offer for Zion Williamson or Brandon Ingram.
Atlanta
Issue: High payroll doesn't match performance.
Trade bait: Trae Young, anyone? It's not clear how the Bulls would make that work.
Twitter: @McGrawDHSports