The NBA trade deadline isn't until February, but rumors are running rampant around the league anyway. With the Chicago Bulls in the mix of the Eastern Conference, there is speculation that the team is seeking a deal to improve its center position. The latest buzz claims that Sacramento Kings star Domantas Sabonis could be a target alongside Dallas Mavericks center Anthony Davis.
Rumors are that Bulls general manager Arturas Karnisovas, who stems from Lithuania, could aim to acquire Sabonis via trade this season, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. Additionally, there is a belief that the franchise is interested in potentially adding Davis to bring him back to his Chicago roots. All of this is possible due to Nikola Vucevic's trade-friendly contract.
“Chicago's Nikola Vucevic continues to be an offensive force at age 35. He's making better than 40% of his 3-pointers for the second consecutive campaign and is seemingly certain to generate external interest on an expiring contract worth a comparatively modest $21.4 million.
“I've heard from more than a few rival executives who have noted Vucevic's trade-friendly contract, plus the other expiring deals on Chicago's books, which has led them to wonder aloud about the Bulls' Lithuanian GM Arturas Karnisovas pursuing Sabonis. Similar curiosity about the Bulls as a potential suitor to try to bring Davis back to his native Windy City is also circulating.”
Domantas Sabonis, who is 29 years old, is currently dealing with a partially torn meniscus in his left knee. The Kings will re-evaluate the three-time All-Star in three to four weeks. In the 11 games he has played this season, Sabonis is averaging 17.2 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 51.0% from the field and 20.0% from beyond the three-point line.
Anthony Davis is also dealing with an injury (calf), but is considered day-to-day. The 32-year-old center has barely played this season with the Mavericks, as he's only participated in five of the team's 19 games. However, in those contests, Davis is averaging 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game. He also owns a 52.0% field goal percentage while hitting 27.3% of his three-point attempts.
