The Chicago Bulls are currently in mediocrity with their roster and record. The Bulls need to make a change with or without a healthy Lonzo Ball, which at this point, seems unwise to rely on his health. Deandre Ayton initially was linked to the Bulls over the summer as a potential sign-and-trade destination. A few months later, the rumors resurfaced as both teams continued to struggle.

Ayton gives the Bulls the opportunity to go in either direction, as the fifth-year center is averaging 17.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and shooting 59.2 percent this season yet is still just 24 years old. If Chicago doesn’t believe in Nikola Vučević as the team’s franchise center, or doesn’t want to pay him this summer, Ayton could be the answer instead.” BLEACHER REPORT’S GREG SWARTZ

Trade Offer To Land Ayton

After Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid, the elite center list starts dwindling down fast. Ayton finds himself on the Top Five Centers list without a doubt, but it comes at a cost of $133 million. Although Nikola Vucevic has helped the front office land players like DeMar DeRozan and Goran Dragic, he failed to find a deal during the extension negotiations, leading him to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Bulls gave up a massive haul for Vucevic, it’s unlikely they’ll simply let him walk in free agency without testing their luck in the trade market.

Lucky for the Bulls, Ayton hasn’t found a welcoming home in Phoneix. After being drafted at the top of the 2018 draft class, the Suns were reluctant to sign him to an extension despite making it to the Finals, with Ayton being a big part of their team’s success. The Bulls are even luckier the Suns are struggling this season, which opens the door of swapping the big men in hopes of rejuvenating both squads. Perhaps, Vucevic’s three-point shooting fits better for the Suns than Ayton’s interior scoring.

Bulls Trade: Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, Portland 1st round pick

Suns Trade: Deandre Ayton

Although Patrick Williams’ value isn’t as high as it used to be, the Bulls should try to hold onto him despite the Suns’ attempt to throw him in the deal as well. Patrick Williams has been underwhelming to say the least, but the Bulls would run out of trade assets to further improve the team if he is included.