After their offseason haul, the Chicago Bulls look promising as ever. Fans and analysts believe that they'll make waves this upcoming season—with qualifying to the playoffs almost certain. As is the case with offseason tweaks, we need to watch the actual games to see if such adjustments were right. If they are, then all is well. But if there aren't, then the front office has until the February trade deadline to make their final roster moves.
With that in mind, the Bulls need to keep an eye on two players that can help them reach the playoffs and possibly make a deep run. These two players, as the title suggests, might be itching for a change in scenery as things haven't been doing that well in their current team.
Buddy Hield
Buddy Hield is one of the best three-point shooters in the NBA today. He just doesn't get enough recognition simply because the Sacramento Kings have been on a rut for the longest time. Winning is all that matters in the league after all. You only get a pat on the back as consolation.
While most fans and analysts seem to ignore Hield as one of the best, the same isn't true for NBA teams who actually go up against him every night. Hield has been involved in several trade rumors. All sorts of teams, especially contending ones, are interested in acquiring his services. After all, who wouldn't want a three-point assassin on their squad?
Hield donning the Bulls jersey would only make the team better. For one, he's the perfect complement to Zach LaVine's aggressive playstyle. Bulls fans have seen defenses collapse on LaVine. It only makes sense that he has a teammate who can make catch-and-shoot threes efficiently. Also, we cannot forget about Lonzo Ball, who will always find the right player at the right time.
The 28-year-old isn't just a complementary piece. As we've seen in the past few seasons, Buddy can also create his own shots through pick-and-roll situations. With that, he will certainly offer the Bulls a ton of options on offense.
Pascal Siakam
Pascal Siakam was tagged as the next big thing after the Toronto Raptors' title win in 2019. Apart from Kawhi Leonard's legendary performance, Siakam caught the eye of many for his courageous play amid tight pressure. While he has done well for himself since the title win, Siakam has yet to live up to the expectations.
Reports last season revealed that he had some tension with head coach Nick Nurse. Say what you want, but this could be one of the reasons for the failures in his development. Siakam may want out of the Raptors.
The Bulls may be the right destination for the Cameroonian. Fans were pumped when the team acquired both Ball and Alex Caruso—two highly-respected defensive beasts. Ball is very active on the defensive end of the floor. Caruso, too, has shown off that high IQ. Apart from them, do the Bulls have another competent defender? Not really. Pascal Siakam would be able to fill that seeming weakness of the Windy City franchise.
Moreover, a new system might boost Siakam's offense once again.
The thing about Siakam is that the Raptors won't just let him go. President Masai Ujiri believes that Siakam and Nurse will iron things out. Apart from this, though Siakam averaged 21.4 points and 7.4 rebounds last season, his trade value isn't too high on the board. There are lingering questions on his consistency, execution down the stretch, and his poor three-point shooting. Even if you're the Bulls' front office, it would be understandable if you have qualms in trading for Siakam at this point.
It would be wise to wait it out up until the trade deadline if Siakam is still worth pursuing.
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