The Chicago Bulls plan to enter the luxury tax if necessary as long as they feel the team can compete in the Eastern Conference as a top-six seed, according to Arturas Karnisovas. While historically speaking, it’s unlikely ownership will pay the luxury tax, it seems the Bulls have no choice but to do so to improve their team.
With no relevant first-round draft pick in sight and aging stars like DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic on the wrong side of 30, the Bulls are stuck in the mud unless they make a big free-agency splash.
The Athletic’s Path For Fred VanVleet To Join The Bulls (Via Eric Koreen)
The Bulls Trade: Lonzo Ball and Patrick Williams
The Raptors Trade: Fred VanVleet
Fred VanVleet is ready to move on from Toronto. He is seeking a deal worth $125 million over the next four years. For helping VanVleet find a new team through a sign-and-trade, the Raptors could be rewarded with an asset like Patrick Williams. As the Raptors begin their rebuild, Patrick Williams checks off all the boxes for the Raptors, which would entice them to make this deal. With Lonzo Ball’s contract on the books, the Raptors do not have to sweat it as they continue to develop their young talent. Under the new CBA rules, the cap floor is much higher than in the past. If the Raptors choose to bring on young talent on cheap contracts to develop, having an contract on the books like Lonzo could benefit them over the next few years.
The Bulls would finally get rid of the Lonzo Ball contract and replace him with Fred VanVleet. Losing Patrick Williams hurts, but overpaying him for the extension he’s seeking could hurt even more. VanVleet has championship experience. The Illinois native has a relationship with DeMar DeRozan and Marc Eversley from their days in Toronto. It won’t be a championship-contending squad, but plugging a player of VanVleet’s caliber almost guarantees the team will make the playoffs.
