The Chicago Bulls have held “internal discussions” about a possible trade for Anthony Davis, according to ESPN’s Jamal Collier.
Collier reported the Bulls think Davis “could help the team’s porous rim protection and defensive interior.” He also cited a source who downplayed the likelihood of a blockbuster trade.
“I don’t think going out and chasing X megastar is the way to proceed — at least today,” the source said.
The Eastern Conference is wide open and the Bulls are firmly in the hunt, even after they’ve fallen back to earth following a 6-1 start. At 9-10, they’re 10th in the conference and only 2.5 games back of the Orlando Magic for the sixth seed.
Bleacher Report’s NBA staff entertained a deal sending Davis to the Windy City earlier this month. It was a three-team swap that included the Brooklyn Nets:
“Landing an elite two-way big like Davis would help push the Bulls into a higher tier in the Eastern Conference, provided he’s healthy. The goal would be to add Davis without subtracting key rotation players like Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, Nikola Vučević, Ayo Dosunmu and White. While [Tre] Jones has been superb for Chicago, he’d be the necessary sacrifice, along with [Zach] Collins and [Kevin] Huerter.”
For a franchise that isn’t a marquee destination for free agents and lacks a bona fide star, a trade is the clearest path to add that kind of piece.
The obvious question is whether Davis is the right trade target.
The 32-year-old has only made six appearances this year thanks to a calf strain, which only underlined the longstanding concerns over his durability.
Adding AD to the mix also strengthens the Bulls without making them a top favorite in the East. They’d need Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis to make big jumps on the court on top of adding Davis for that to happen.
The logic behind acquiring the 10-time All-Star is easy to see from Chicago’s standpoint, and it’s a move that aligns with how the front office has operated.
Whether this is something worth pursuing is another question.