The Chicago Bulls have the fifth best defensive rating in the NBA. In that case, you'd expect the Bulls to be a contender in the Eastern Conference or at the very least a playoff team. Instead, Chicago has a 13-23 record and sit in the tenth spot in the conference.
The Bulls have a ton of promising young pieces. Players like Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter Jr. and Coby White are a very promising start to a franchise looking to get back into the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
Obviously the Bulls struggle at many other things besides defense. But at the same time, the team is only three games out of a playoff spot and at times this year, have looked like a team that could slide in as the seven or eight seed. As it stands now, the Bulls may not have enough to get there but with a few trades, that could be remedied
How do you make one of the best defenses in the NBA even stronger? You add one of the best perimeter defenses the league has to offer. Covington. The 6-foot-7 forward has been an underrated force in the league for the past six or so seasons and would make the Bulls' biggest strength even greater.
The loss of starting small forward Otto Porter in early-November has obviously hurt Chicago. Although Porter is expected to make his return around February, Covington would give the team options so they're not forced to start three guards most nights
“Ro-Co” has established himself as one of the best three and D players in the NBA. The 29-year-old is averaging 12.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game for the Minnesota Timberwolves this year. Best of all, Covington doesn't need the ball in his hands to be effective which would allow players like LaVine and Markkanen to continue to get most of the offensive touches.
Marcus Morris
The Bulls are in desperate need of some veteran leadership. Thaddeus Young is the only player on the roster above the age of 28. With that being said, bringing in nine-year NBA veteran Marcus Morris makes sense.
Chicago has one of the worst offenses in the NBA this season and Morris would definitely fix that. The 6-foot-8 former Kansas Jayhawk can play both forward positions and brings a sense of toughness that Chicago needs.
Morris is averaging a career-high 18.5 points per game to go along with 5.6 rebounds for the New York Knicks. While he wouldn't be the top scoring option on the Bulls, Morris would give Chicago a definite upgrade over Young and could provide a spark as a starter or off the bench.
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