The Chicago Bulls, with a 16-18 record at the All-Star break, are within striking distance of a playoff spot in the East. They could be a trade deadline buyer. Or, they could look to trade veterans who will appeal to upper-tier contenders.
Forward Thaddeus Young is one such veteran who is drawing trade interest. A team-friendly contract ($13.55 million this year, $6 million guarantee on $14.2 million for 2021-22) and playoff experience are the headlines there. But Young is also having a nice season, averaging 12.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He’s shooting nearly 61 percent from the floor, while providing strong defensive versatility.
The Bulls can trade Young and get a nice return of picks and/or players. But according to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, they are telling teams he is not available.
In concert with his report, O’Connor pointed to rival execs wondering if Bulls EVP of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas is just posturing to gain leverage. But Young is also valuable veteran on a young Bulls’ team. So the idea of trading him is not something that’s being taken lightly, with or without a leverage play right now.
Coming out of the break, the Bulls will play the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors. If they were to lose all three games, that shouldn’t be enough to put them all the way into sell-mode by this time next week. But a streak like that might shift the stance on some players, like Young and Garrett Temple. A report last week said the Bulls have rebuffed interest in Temple from the Indiana Pacers. Telling teams Young is not available is along the same line, albeit under the assumption of more suitors.
The Bulls aren’t going to openly declare Young is available, as no team would in their circumstance. But the specific idea they’re telling teams he isn’t available is notable. Is it a pre-cursor to a notable move as a deadline buyer?
