NBA Rumors: Chicago Bulls Could Be Interested In Los Angeles Lakers’ D’Angelo Russell

How would current Los Angeles Lakers’ guard D’Angelo Russell look playing for the Chicago Bulls? The NBA rumor mill continues to churn out Russell’s name as several teams will be vying for the talented point guard. The Bulls could be among those teams involved in trade discussions for Russell, if he indeed winds up on the trading block as most NBA observers expect.

Something that should be expected is for the Chicago Bulls. No one knows how drastic those changes will be just yet, but after another disappointing ending to a season, the Bulls’ lineup could and should have a few different looks. With six players who are looking at the prospects free agency, there will be some shuffling going on. One of the potential free agents could be Rajon Rondo.

Rondo remaining the Chicago Bulls’ roster will be solely a decision made by the front office. He has a $14 million team option for one season. Whether he stays or not will depend on which direction the Bulls decide to take this offseason. That will be determined by what the Bulls do with Jimmy Butler.

There has long been chatter regarding the status of Butler, whom the Bulls may conclude that it would be in their best interest to trade him while they can. A Jimmy Butler trade all but would assure the return of Rajon Rondo.

The Bulls trading Jimmy Butler would be the second phase in a full rebuilding process that began last summer.

Butler and Rondo are somehow tied to each other. If the Bulls keep their star forward and look to build around him, they could cut bait with Rondo. That would give them $14 million in cap space to use in free agency. What could also do is use Rondo’s team-friendly deal and dangle it as trade bait for a team such as the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers have the No. 2 pick in the NBA draft and most people expect them to take UCLA guard Lonzo Ball. Ball, a dynamic point guard, comes with a little bit of baggage. That baggage comes in the form of his father LaVar Ball, who Lakers’ coach Luke Walton has inquired about, according to USA Today. LaVar Ball has been in the news a lot for his attempts at building the Ball family brand. It has several teams leery about drafting his son.

I would expect the #Bulls to call #Lakers & express preliminary interest in PG D'Angelo Russell, even though Rajon Rondo is likely returning

— Carlos Douglas Jr. (@TheRealC_Los) May 17, 2017

The elder Ball’s antics may not be enough for the Lakers to look elsewhere as they rebuild their team, but there are some rumblings that the Lakers are weighing their options. According to the Washington Post, De’Aaron Fox is also getting interest from the Lakers.

Fox, like Ball, is a point guard who’s presence on the roster would make D’Angelo Russell expendable.

What would the Chicago Bulls offer for the Los Angeles Lakers’ D’Angelo Russell?

They have the No. 16 pick to offer, along with additional future picks the Bulls can dangle. Ironically, another possibility would be Rajon Rondo’s name being thrown into the conversation.

Rondo had a renaissance end of the regular season and two playoff games. Rondo was the player who came to the rescue of the Bulls’ younger players inside their locker room. It completely enhanced Rondo’s marketability. His trade value might have also been raised significantly.

If the Chicago Bulls were to offer the Los Angeles Lakers a combination of Rajon Rondo, Bobby Portis, and future draft picks for D’Angelo Russell and Nick Young, could a deal be made? The likelihood of something similar could be discussed and it is an enticing offer for both teams involved.

The possibility of acquiring D’Angelo Russell would allow the Chicago Bulls to finish retooling their roster quickly, without trading Jimmy Butler. It could happen. We will find out where Russell will land in the coming weeks.

[Featured Image by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images]