After Years Of Playing It Safe, The Chicago Bulls May Be Eyeing A Shocking All-In Move

One of the more frustrating parts of the Arturas Karnisovas experience was how the former Chicago Bulls VP never seemed willing to do anything bold. He was far more interested in maintaining the status quo. Assemble a lineup of good-not-great talents and hope they somehow coalesce into a contender. Instead, he was rewarded with six years of mediocrity and derision as one of the worst Bulls executives in franchise history. Bryson Graham came in as his replacement, hoping to finally get the franchise pointed in the right direction.

With two picks in the 1st round this year, including the 4th overall, he has a golden opportunity to lay the foundation for a really good team in the future. However, Graham isn’t ignorant of the NBA’s fundamental truth. You don’t win championships without stars. The Bulls haven’t had a star since Jimmy Butler left a decade ago. This draft offers a great opportunity to change that, provided they land the right player. According to Brett Siegel of Clutchpoints, the Bulls might be willing to pay a premium to ensure they get the guy they want.

As previously reported in our Mock Draft 1.0 before the draft combine, both the Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets have held discussions with the Wizards about the No. 1 pick. Sources say the Chicago Bulls have also reached out to the Wizards since the start of the combine, along with the Atlanta Hawks…

…The Bulls have no interest in trading the No. 4 pick unless they were to move up, sources said, and Graham is focused on building a young, dynamic team with a head coach who can bring energy and relate to his young players. Interviews for the head coaching role in Chicago are ongoing, as sources say the organization will move to the next stage of the process entering the first week of June.

The Chicago Bulls only have one reason to explore a move for #1.

It means they have eyes for BYU standout A.J. Dybantsa. Most experts view him as the top prospect in this class with the perfect mix of high floor and high ceiling. His elite athleticism and 6’9″ size give him all sorts of advantages as a wing. Not only is he capable of attacking the rim, but he’s also demonstrated an ability to create his own shot as a scorer. It is why he is drawing comparisons to guys like Tracy McGrady and Jaylen Brown. That sounds like the type of player you can build a team around.

The obvious question is, would Washington be interested in moving out of that spot? They likely won’t consider any deal that drops them outside the top four, which would still land them one of Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, or Caleb Wilson. The Chicago Bulls fall into that category, which at least gets them to the negotiating table. It comes down to how sold the Wizards are on Dybantsa being the guy. If they have eyes for somebody else and believe they can get him with the #4 pick, then perhaps a deal can be made.

Smart money says this is exploratory.

Executives must always make sure they have all the information possible regarding potential moves up or down the board. Calling Washington about the #1 pick doesn’t necessarily signal the Bulls are determined to make a move. It is more that they are gauging what the Wizards might be asking for. If the price isn’t crazy, it might be something for Graham to look into. He wouldn’t be exploring the idea at all if there wasn’t a player he felt was worth paying the price. Dybantsa certainly feels like one of those rare elite prospects.

In truth, it is difficult to imagine a trade happening. The #1 overall pick in the NBA draft hasn’t been traded since 2017. Considering how that went for Philadelphia, who selected Markelle Fultz, teams have been reluctant to make such a move again. The Bulls almost never make moves like it. Their 1987 trade for Scottie Pippen was the only time they’ve jumped into the top five for a player. Washington feels more likely to stay put and take the best player. Still, the fact that Chicago is asking at all is noteworthy.