Assessing each team as Dec. 15th expands trade scenarios

Central Division:

Chicago Bulls

Players now eligible: Lonzo Ball, Tony Bradley, Alex Caruso, DeMar DeRozan, Javonte Green, Alize Johnson

With the early success of the Bulls and consistency, I’m not sure the front office will be anxious to make many moves. When a team finds cohesiveness and quality chemistry so quickly it wouldn’t behoove them to mess too much with a good thing.

Each of the players added this offseason has quickly integrated and meshed and fit a specific need or role. Lonzo Ball is shooting 42.1 percent from the perimeter on 7.2 attempts per game, leading the team in assists (4.9) and offering stellar defense.

DeMar DeRozan is already establishing himself as the captain of this team and aside from how Chris Paul fit in and improved both the OKC Thunder and the Phoenix Suns few players have made such an immediate positive impact. He’s become the Bulls’ clutch time performer either via shot taking or shot creation and has performed well enough to have his name be in the MVP conversation (no, he won’t win it — but he’s earned that recognition).

Alex Caruso who I honestly thought was more of a Lakers fan’s overreact is proving just how much of an underestimation that was as he provides energy off the bench and combined with Lonzo — the defensive combo that is spearheading a Bulls eighth-ranked defense.

As for roster tweaks or added depth it feels like Chicago could use a big man. With Patrick Williams lost for the season Billy Donovan is playing DeRozan at power forward. If the Bulls face the 76ers presumably they’ll need another center because Nikola Vucevic will get roasted and rookie Marko Simonovic or Tony Bradley aren’t cutting that matchup either.

It’s not like Chicago needs to go out and trade for a big in the Rudy Gobert caliber but they sure could’ve used Wendell Carter this season as that security.

Regardless, either a defensive power forward or big man seems to be the one area Chicago would target to add depth.

Ultimately, the goal is to keep Zach LaVine happy so he’s keen to re-sign this coming offseason.