Bulls' avenue to acquiring a top-tier prospect has presented itself

In 40 days, the Chicago Bulls will draft their next building block. At least, that is the plan. A year ago, Chicago selected Matas Buzelis. Who, although he suffered from a slow start, finished his inaugural campaign strong to earn several Rookie of the Year votes. Buzelis finished his rookie season averaging 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.9 blocks, and 1.2 three-pointers per game.

In the wake of Buzelis' success, the Bulls' brass is ultimately intrigued by adding a forward to complement the future All-Rookie Second Teamer. Chicago has already met with several of the draft's best forwards, including South Carolina's Collin Murray-Boyles and Georgia's Asa Newell.

However, instead of sticking around and selecting a prospect 12th overall, an avenue has opened up, potentially allowing the Bulls to move up to the top three if Vice President of Basketball Operations Artūras Karnišovas and Co. feel so inclined.

The Philadelphia 76ers have expressed interest in trading the third overall pick

Sam Vecenie of The Athletic reported that, "It’s expected that the Sixers will listen to offers for No. 3…" After moving up two spots pre- to post-lottery, the Philadelphia 76ers are in possession of an extremely valuable asset. The first and second overall picks are already set in stone, with Duke's Cooper Flagg headed to Dallas and Rutgers' Dylan Harper expected to be drafted by the San Antonio Spurs.

The third pick is where chaos will ensue. Thus far, Harper's freshman teammate, Ace Bailey, has been viewed as the third-best prospect in the 2025 NBA Draft class. However, after a discouraging NBA Combine, his stock isn't as solidified as it once was. Whispers of Baylor's V.J. Edgecombe overtaking Bailey have begun to grow louder. NBA.com's Jonathan Wasserman even mocked Edgecombe to Philadelphia in his first post-lottery mock draft.

There seems to be no consensus when identifying the draft's third-best player. A lack of consensus, combined with Philadelphia's veteran-laden roster, has made envisioning a potential trade all too easy.

Already armed with a lottery pick. Chicago's pathway to improving its draft positioning is relatively straightforward. The Bulls can package the 12th overall pick along with players or future draft capital to move up. For instance, including Coby White, the 12th pick, and potentially a future first or several second-rounders would likely be enough to entice Philadelphia.

Moreover, after signing 35-year-old Paul George to a four-year, $211 million pact last offseason, it's fair to wonder just how much the 76ers would be willing to give up to rid themselves of the remaining $162 million on George's albatross of a contract. The nine-time All-Star is coming off an injury-plagued season, having suited up in only 41 games. To make matters worse, he averaged merely 16.2 points and shot 43.0 percent from the floor and 35.8 percent from three. A stark decline from his 2023-24 All-Star performance for the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Bulls could send Zach Collins, Kevin Huerter, and Patrick Williams alongside the 12th pick to Philadelphia in exchange for George and the third pick. The Sixers would add two useful role-players, on expiring contracts, and take on Williams, who, like George, is signed to an exorbitant pact. Yet, Williams is owed $72 million over the next four seasons. Thus, it's not quite as painful forking up $18 million for a 23-year-old as opposed to $52 million for a 35-year-old.

Numerous avenues exist for the Bulls to move up in the draft. Nevertheless, it's on the Bulls to make such a substantial move. While Chicago may be content in adding Murray-Boyles, Newell, or Thomas Sorber, a player such as Duke's Khaman Maluach, who will likely be available in the 5-to-10 range, could drastically alter the Bulls' trajectory for the better.