The Los Angeles Lakers’ midseason trade for Luka Doncic in February 2025 stands as one of the most remarkable moves in recent NBA history, exchanging two reigning All-NBA players during the season. The Lakers acquired Doncic by sending Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick to the Dallas Mavericks, who in return received Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris. Despite the Lakers’ hopes to strengthen their title chances, they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Following the Lakers’ disappointing playoff run, reports revealed that the Chicago Bulls showed a strong desire to bring Doncic to their team. Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times shared that Bulls executive Arturas Karnisovas and the front office
“would have offered anyone and everyone on the roster had they been notified by the Mavericks that Luka Doncic was available in February.”
However, the Mavericks never sought offers outside their deal with the Lakers, so Chicago’s interest remained unpursued.
Doncic’s Performance and Criticism After Joining the Lakers
Since joining Los Angeles, Luka Doncic has delivered impressive stats, averaging 28.2 points, 8.1 assists, and 7.5 rebounds across 28 games. Nevertheless, his defensive weaknesses and conditioning issues attracted considerable scrutiny, particularly during the playoff series against the Timberwolves, factors which contributed to the Lakers’ early exit and fueled debate about his fit within the team.
Fans React with Skepticism to Bulls’ Trade Capability for Luka Doncic
The news of the Bulls’ willingness to trade their entire roster stirred mixed reactions among NBA fans on social media, many doubting Chicago’s ability to assemble a competitive offer for a player of Doncic’s caliber. One fan challenged,
“Did I miss the Bulls having anyone better than AD? That team is a pile of garbage. You couldn’t even trade the entire roster for a third-team All-NBA player,”
while another remarked,
“The Bulls are washed; no one wants to play in Chicago,”
highlighting widespread skepticism about the franchise’s appeal.
Additional fans expressed similar concerns, with comments like
“Bulls don’t got a single player worthy of trading Luka for,”
and
“Just for Luka to be playing with some scrubs lmao,”
emphasizing doubts about the Bulls’ current roster strength and future prospects.
What This Means for the Future of Luka Doncic and the Bulls
The Chicago Bulls’ reported eagerness to pursue Luka Doncic, even at the cost of their full roster, reveals their urgent desire to rebuild and compete at a higher level. However, the Mavericks’ exclusive trade discussions with the Lakers indicate Doncic’s fate remains tied to Los Angeles for now. The Bulls’ interest underscores shifting dynamics in the NBA trade market and signals that the coming months could bring more dramatic roster changes around the league.
As the Lakers regroup after their playoff disappointment, the ongoing Luka Doncic trade rumors and Bulls interest add another layer of intrigue ahead of the offseason, with fans and analysts alike watching closely to see how teams respond to recent setbacks and opportunities.