- Arturas Karnisovas, the executive vice president of basketball operations for the Chicago Bulls, pledged to make roster adjustments this offseason. Reimagining the backcourt with Atlanta Hawks standout Dejounte Murray may be necessary to achieve that. On June 3, Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz said, “The Chicago Bulls have a lot of questions to answer this summer, especially concerning the futures of Zach LaVine (a prime trade candidate) and DeMar DeRozan (an unrestricted free agent).” “Adding a great guard like Murray would fix a lot of the team’s problems, whether or not one or both return.
“White would be free to attack more as a scorer if Murray and Coby White, both of whom are 6’5”, were the starting backcourt. Prior to the deadline in February, the Hawks held trade negotiations with a number of teams regarding Murray. This summer, they are anticipated to re-engage with teams in that regard, with Murray beginning a four-year, $114 million contract.
This fictitious proposed deal could satisfy Atlanta’s asking price and complies with league regulations. Bulls receive: — Dejounte Murray Hawks receive: – Jevon Carter – Lonzo Ball – 2024 first-round selection (No. 11) – 2027 first.
If they decide to rebuild, the hypothetical offer above may be more appealing. Hawks is only two seasons removed from his first All-Star appearance and leads the NBA in steals per game.
Adding his aggressive, downhill style to the backcourt alongside White would be a fully realized version of the Bulls’ current frequent pairing of White and Ayo Dosunmu. However, the Bulls could argue that Dosunmu gives them enough of what Murray does at a discount to stand pat.
The Hawks star would uplift the Bulls in the intermediate, though. Bulls, Hawks Could Be Unlikely Trade Partners Murray averaged a career-high 22.5 points last season, shooting 36.3% from beyond the arc on a career-high 7.1 attempts per game. Despite that, he emphasized that both he and teammate Trae Young are point guards in talking about their on-court fit. He will earn $25.2 million in 2024-25. The issue for the Bulls is getting there with players that Atlanta can use.
The Hawks already have a logjam at center. Both teams are light on two-way threats on the perimeter. But using one of the Bulls’ stars would require adding salary (LaVine) and/or the additional step of a sign-and-trade (DeRozan).
It also works if they want to compete, though, with Carter serving as a suitable backup point guard. The draft capital would give the Hawks increased flexibility, which General Manager Landry Fields valued in getting the No. 1 pick. They could select prospects to further build out the next iteration of their roster.
Or they could trade it for immediate help if they stay the course and look to get back into contention in the Eastern Conference next season. Bulls ‘Confident’ Lonzo Ball Can Return Next Season Ball is the wild card. He has not played in over two years and said that he is still not yet 100%. He does appear to be on track to deliver on his expectations to play at some point during next season. “Team officials are confident Ball, out since Jan. 14, 2022, due to a chronic knee ailment, will play next season. They’re just not as confident about when,” The Athletic’s Darnell Mayberry wrote on June.
“Opening night doesn’t sound likely. However, Ball sounds hellbent on returning each time he’s asked publicly. It will be something of a miracle for Ball to take an NBA court again after what could be a three-year absence. That also makes it impossible to have any expectations whenever Ball returns.”
