Cordaro Johnson (Haize) here, the host of the daily Locked On Bulls podcast, with your daily Locked On Bulls newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Bulls and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
NBA Trade Deadline Quiet: How It Impacts the Bulls’ Plans for LaVine and Vucevic
The NBA trade deadline is approaching, and the rumor mill is churning. However, there’s a growing sentiment among league executives that we might not see many big-name stars moved this year. This shift in the trade landscape could significantly impact the Chicago Bulls’ plans, particularly regarding Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic.
Several factors are contributing to this stiff trade market. Teams are grappling with financial constraints, including salary cap issues and a lack of draft capital among contenders. Moreover, the new collective bargaining agreement is now fully in effect, introducing additional complexities to potential deals.
One of the most significant hurdles is the second tax apron, which has teams extremely wary of making moves that could push them over this threshold. The Phoenix Suns, for instance, are reportedly trying to convince Bradley Beal to waive his no-trade clause, but the financial implications of such a move are giving them pause.
For the Bulls, this market shift presents both challenges and opportunities. LaVine and Vucevic are the type of players contenders would typically target. However, the current climate makes it difficult for teams to justify parting with valuable draft picks or young talent, especially given the depth of upcoming drafts.
As a Bulls fan, it’s important to understand that making a move just for the sake of change isn’t always the best strategy. LaVine is currently playing at an All-Star caliber level, and it would be unwise to trade him for less than his true value. The same goes for Vucevic, who has been a solid contributor to the team.
While some fans might be frustrated by the lack of major moves, it’s crucial to remember that sometimes the best action is inaction. The Bulls front office seems to be taking a patient approach, waiting for deals that truly benefit the team’s future rather than making hasty decisions.
Looking ahead, it’s possible that we could see a relatively quiet trade market for the next couple of years. The 2026 draft is also shaping up to be deep, which could further incentivize teams to hold onto their picks.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Bulls’ trade deadline strategy, tune into the Locked On Bulls podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Bulls Podcast:
• Billy Donovan’s coaching adjustments and improved relationship with Zach LaVine
• The Bulls’ decision on THT’s contract and its implications for the roster
Jan 7, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) reacts after a fouled was not called against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Smoothie King Center. | Matthew Hinton/Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
How can you know in the NBA if something’s real?
If a team really is on a sustainable upward trajectory, or if they’ve overachieved? If a player whose name has become synonymous with trade talks really wants out (or in somewhere else, depending on how you’re looking at it)? How can you tell the difference between talent and development, and when does it start to matter? And how do you know that regular season dominance will translate into postseason competence, let alone contention?
I’ve been thinking about NBA mirages, the things we will ourselves into believing over the course of a season, as a few of the league’s prominent storylines play out. What constitutes an NBA mirage is that it has justenough staying power at a distance, but like the real thing, when you start to interrogate it up close its corporeal outlines vanish.
Trades are a huge generator of NBA mirages. I hate to think how many ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine tool is pumping out per hour as the trade deadline approaches. Jimmy Butler’s request for a trade out of Miami is one of the reasons I started thinking about them, specifically, where they shift from fantasy to reality. The prospect of a trade, for Butler, is as solid as the car he gets in to drive himself to Heat games. For Pat Riley and the Heat’s front office, the trade’s an illusion (delusion, maybe, if you asked Riley). What’s real to them is Butler’s behaviour, which they emphasized by suspending him for seven games.
Does Butler, since then reported to have asked both the Bucks and the Grizzlies not to trade for him, make his potential trade more real by narrowing its scope? Or is he limiting himself and his chances of an exit — any exit — from Miami?
Shifting from trades to returns, Zion Williamson’s back on the floor in New Orleans. Williamson’s dunks, like his first in-game slam last night since early November, have a knack for calling to mind immediately the contours of the earth under your feet. I tend to curl my toes against the ground, checking it’s still there. Why then, does he make me think of mirages? The hope for Williamson, since he entered the league, has been consistency — in his health, his game, his career.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Analysis In a game 7, who would be the Bulls’ choice to take the last shot? (Bleacher Report)
Preview The Bulls head to Indiana to take on the Pacers tonight at 7:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Must Read Amid Pacific wildfires, Steve Kerr and JJ Redick’s families have evacuated the area. (CNN)
Biz What the EuroLeague and IMG’s new deals mean for the future of basketball in Europe. (The Athletic)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Tuesday’s Key Fantasy Basketball Notes
Jan 7, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) signals to his team during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe/Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
Tuesday’s NBA action brought a mix of surprises and disappointments across seven games. The Phoenix Suns, despite their recent lineup changes, continue to underperform, raising questions about their strategy and team dynamics.
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a significant setback, losing to a depleted Dallas Mavericks team. This loss highlights ongoing concerns about the Lakers’ consistency and ability to compete against even weakened opponents.
In a thrilling finish, Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks showcased his clutch abilities by sinking a half-court shot to secure a victory. Young’s performance was stellar throughout the game, finishing with an impressive 24 points and 20 assists.
Injury Updates and Roster Moves
Several key players were sidelined due to injuries or illness. Jeremy Sochan of the San Antonio Spurs is out with a back issue, potentially impacting his trade value. Jerami Grant’s facial contusion continues to sideline him, opening up opportunities for players like Deni Avdija.
The Philadelphia 76ers are facing challenges with both Joel Embiid and Paul George out, though not due to a back-to-back situation. This absence further complicates the 76ers’ season, which has already been marred by inconsistency.
Ausar Thompson’s absence due to illness raises concerns, especially given his history of health issues. While the exact nature of his current condition remains unclear, fans and fantasy managers alike are hoping it’s not as serious as his previous bout with blood clots.
Waiver Wire Trends
The waiver wire has seen some interesting movement, with Bryce Sensabaugh emerging as the most-added player despite missing a game due to illness. Ryan Dunn and Nikola Jovic have also seen increased interest, though their long-term value remains questionable.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Bulls podcasts.
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Zach LaVine’s Historic Night Propels Bulls to Victory Over Clippers Hosts Haize and Pat explore LaVine’s place in Bulls history, debating his status as one of the team’s top scorers alongside legends like Michael Jordan. They also discuss Matas Buzelis’ entry into the NBA dunk contest and touch on the evolving dynamics of race in sports.
From Derrick Rose Night to Rock Bottom: The Bulls’ Freefall Haize and Pat dissect the team’s defensive lapses and coaching challenges, questioning whether talent alone can carry them through the NBA season. The conversation also explores potential roster changes and the implications of keeping veterans during a rebuild.
