The Chicago Bulls acquire Dario Saric and two second-round picks in a three-team trade with the Sacramento Kings and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Moments after an epic victory in South Beach over the Miami Heat, ESPN insider Shams Charania reported that the Cleveland Cavaliers traded forward De’Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings for Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder, with the Chicago Bulls serving as a facilitator and receiving Dario Saric and two second-round picks. Following Charania’s report, The Athletic’s Sam Amick provided details, stating the Bulls receive a 2027 second-round pick from the Cavaliers and a 2029 second-round pick from the Kings.
To take on Saric’s contract, the Bulls waived veteran Jevon Carter, who had just scored 11 points with five rebounds in the victory over the Heat, according to Sun-Times Joe Cowley. In addition, Spotrac’s Keith Smith believes the Bulls will use their Traded Player Exception (TPE) from the LaVine deal to absorb Saric’s deal. Saric, a 31-year-old veteran, has played only 5 games this season, so the Bulls likely value his expiring deal more than his on-court production.
Aside from the mixed rumors about the Bulls’ intentions this trade deadline, The Athletic’s Joel Lorenzi states that it sounds like the Bulls are looking to facilitate deals for teams close to the aprons. This would be the sixth trade Bulls vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas has done with the Kings and Cavaliers since joining the Bulls organization.