The NBA trade window will close next week ahead of the annual NBA All-Star Event in North Carolina.
The trade window has historically closed on the Thursday after the All-Star Game, however, since 2018, the deadline has closed 10 days before the NBA's best players face off in the prestigious game.
The deadline was moved forward in order to allow traded players to sort out arrangements for themselves and their families, and the NBA is unlikely to move the deadline back anytime soon.
Nevertheless, the trade deadline is still one of the most exciting times for NBA fans, and the next seven days are likely to provide a number of twists and turns.
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Among the teams looking to make a number of trades are the Chicago Bulls. The franchise has once again suffered a miserable season, and the team is reportedly looking to dump salary in return for draft picks and young players.
Due to this, a number of senior exits are likely, and here are three players who are likely to leave the team in the next few days.
#3 Robin Lopez
It is no secret that the Bulls have been looking to offload Robin Lopez since last summer, and according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Bulls are still set on trading away Lopez before the deadline:
Lopez is still very much on the block. The problem remains a lack of takers
Lopez has been linked with a move to the Golden State Warriors, although the defending Champions are reportedly reluctant to take on the 30-year-old's expiring $14.3 million contract.
Nevertheless, the Bulls are likely to pair Lopez with a younger player to get a deal done, and it is highly unlikely that the center will still be on the roster next week.
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#2 Zach LaVine
Zach LaVine joined the Bulls in 2017 as part of the trade that resulted in Jimmy Butler leaving for Minnesota, and the two-time Slam Dunk Contest winner has since established himself as a regular starter.
So far this season, LaVine is averaging 22.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, although reports have linked the 23-year-old with a trade, and the Chicago Sun-Times has highlighted why LaVine could be moved:
He’s a streaky scorer, and still has problems staying focused defensively, especially off the ball. He’s definitely a key block for this rebuild now, but should an offer of an All-Star-caliber player be made, the Bulls must listen, especially if that player is a more consistent outside threat.
The Bulls are under no pressure to trade LaVine away as he is under contract until 2022, although Chicago's performances have actually been better when LaVine has been absent from the team.
Due to this, the Bulls are likely to accept a trade if a good offer comes along, although it remains to be seen which NBA teams will be interested in the former Timberwolves man.
#1 Jabari Parker
After four years with the Milwaukee Bucks, Jabari Parker signed a two-year, $40 million deal with the Chicago Bulls last summer.
The deal looked to be the perfect match as the Bulls had landed a player entering his prime, while Parker was thrilled to be linking up with his hometown team.
Nevertheless, Parker has fallen out with Bulls management, and Ken Berker from Bleacher Report is reporting that the team will look to trade the 23-year-old:
Indeed, Parker returned to the rotation on Jan. 12 and played well in five straight games off the bench before being held out of Wednesday night's game with the knee issue. Multiple league sources confirmed Bartelstein is working with the Bulls to find a trade solution, so Parker's increased role could be a thinly veiled effort to showcase him to potential suitors.
Despite Parker's problems with the Bulls, the forward is still averaging 14.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game and is likely to attract considerable interest.
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