The Chicago Bulls and Dallas Mavericks are trending in opposite directions. While the Mavericks have started the season with a 4-12 record, the Bulls have gone 8-6 to begin the campaign.
According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, the Bulls’ early success could make them suitors for Mavericks All-Star Anthony Davis.
“The Bulls are in a fascinating in-between place. Coach Billy Donovan has done a great job with this group, but the Bulls lack a star to build around. Second-year forward Matas Buzelis has shown intriguing flashes — and the club has the ability to open a bunch of cap space this summer — but Coby White and Nikola Vucevic are set to become free agents,” Bontempts wrote.
“That means the Bulls could go in a few directions over the next several months, including adding to the current roster. That has led some sources to speculate whether Chicago, with over $80 million in expiring money, could be a suitor for Dallas' Anthony Davis and bring the Windy City native home.”
Through five games this season, Davis has averaged 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while shooting around 52 percent from the field. The Kentucky product is currently sidelined with a calf strain that has kept him out since October 29.
While it is not known if the Mavericks would be willing to deal Davis, it is clear that he would fit well with some of the Bulls’ most talented players.
“I could see it,” a Western Conference executive said. “[Josh] Giddey has worked well with Vucevic, but he could use a roll man to throw it up to.”
Only time will tell how the Bulls and Mavericks proceed, but both teams could be active ahead of this season’s trade deadline.
