Bulls Complete Three-Team Trade, Waive Two Players

CHICAGO, Ill. — The Chicago Bulls finalized a three-team trade with the Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs on Monday, reshaping their roster ahead of the NBA trade deadline. The deal sends veteran wing Torrey Craig and fourth-year swingman Chris Duarte to Sacramento, while Chicago acquires multiple assets, including draft capital and players.

To accommodate the trade, the Bulls waived Craig and Duarte, making them unrestricted free agents if not claimed on waivers by Wednesday. Craig, 34, had exercised a $2.85 million player option last June to remain with the Bulls for a second season. However, injuries limited him to just nine appearances this season, averaging 5.7 points and 4.1 rebounds in 19.8 minutes per game during the 2023/24 season.

Duarte, the 13th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, struggled to find his footing in Chicago. After a promising rookie season with the Indiana Pacers, where he averaged 13.1 points per game, his production and playing time declined. He played only 74 minutes across 17 appearances with the Bulls this season.

In a press release, the Bulls thanked Zach LaVine, who was part of the trade, for his contributions to the team. “Zach has been a cornerstone for this organization and the city,” said executive VP of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas. “He truly embraced what it means to be a Bull. His work ethic and passion for the game have been inspiring.”

The Bulls are reportedly exploring further trades, including potentially flipping newly acquired players Kevin Huerter and Derrick Jones Jr. for additional draft capital. According to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network, the team is optimistic about securing future assets through these moves.

The three-team trade marks a significant shift for the Bulls as they aim to rebuild and retool their roster for the future.