It is never too early to begin planning for the future. That will need the Chicago Bulls to make some difficult roster
choices.
Andre Drummond is a backup and stand-in starter center whose future is less certain.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, “The Thunder are already battling for the top seed in the West.” This wrote on
January 29. Even while it’s very likely that OKC will remain in this situation for years to come, the Thunder should
nonetheless want to bolster their roster.
“Defensive rebounding, one of the Thunder’s only vulnerabilities, is addressed by Drummond’s addition.”
This fictitious trade scenario was Marks’ suggestion to move Drummond to Oklahoma City.
Bulls receive:
The following are Aleksej Pokusevski’s 2025, 2027, and 2027 second-round picks (via PHI, MIN, and PHI,
respectively)
In the 2020 draft, Pokusevski, 22, was selected with the 17th overall pick.
As the youngest player in their class, Pokusevski has progressed gradually, much like Bulls forward and classmate
Patrick Williams. In just eight games this season, he is averaging 1.0 points and 1.1 rebounds.
During his first three seasons, the 7-footer averaged 7.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in over 21 minutes per
game. In 2023–24, he only played six minutes per game.
Pokusevski’s contract is also up for renewal.
His four-year, $14.3 million rookie scale contract is coming to an end, and this summer he will have the opportunity
to exercise his $7.1 million qualifying offer in restricted free agency. Considering that the team already has one
intriguing possibility in Williams, the draft capital could be a more compelling feature.
Zach LaVine is already being pursued by the Bulls for a trade. Furthermore, this upcoming offseason will see DeMar
DeRozan enter unrestricted free agency, even if the contracts of Alex Caruso and Nikola Vucevic are guaranteed for
at least one more season. The Bulls also want to see him return.
However, Drummond, a two-time All-Star, is nearing the end of his $6.6 million, two-year contract.
This past offseason, he seriously contemplated opting out of the second year of that contract in order to join Luka
Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks, and he has attracted trade interest.
West Rival Has “Considered” Trading for Big Man of the Bulls Prior to the NBA Deadline
Instead of losing him for nothing during the offseason, the Bulls might try to use Marks’ potential trade deadline to
their advantage.
To some surprise, they signed Vucevic, who they like, to a three-year, $60 million contract this past offseason. But
Drummond has performed well when used as a starter in place of Vucevic.
Having played in all 47 of the Bulls’ games this season, Drummond, 29, is averaging 7.8 points and 8.5 rebounds.
This season, he has made seven starts and is averaging 14.0 points and 17.4 rebounds.
Drummond has stated that he believes he is still a player capable of starting, and he can support his statements with
productivity.
“Always arrive each day ready in case my number is called. Every chance I have, I just try to take it,” Drummond
stated on December 26, as reported by Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic. “I don’t think of myself as a backup. In this
league, I still think I’m a starter. However, I accept my current situation and play as best I can.
It could be best for Drummond and the Bulls to make a trade.
