As we get closer to the June 20 draft, the rumor mill is really starting to heat up around the NBA, and the Bulls find themselves right in the middle of speculation involving superstar big man Anthony Davis.

Bulls Mailbag: Trade speculation heating up originally appeared on nbcsportschicago.com

As we get closer to the June 20 draft, the rumor mill is really starting to heat up around the NBA, and the Bulls find themselves right in the middle of speculation involving superstar big man Anthony Davis.

Unfortunately, the trade rumors aren't about bringing Davis home to Chicago, only about how they could facilitate a Davis-to-the-Lakers deal as a third team.

And, Bulls fans have plenty of questions about the latest rumors.

Paul Conner @paulconner33

What do you make of the reports of Zach Lavine being part of a larger package in a 3 way deal for Davis?

Trading Zach LaVine in a package for the 4th overall pick and Lonzo Ball would set the Bulls' rebuild back two years, basically starting over. Sure, LaVine has his issues at the defensive end, but athletic shooting guards who average 23.7 points per game don't grow on trees, and Zach has made great strides in terms of becoming a better passer and team leader. If the Bulls were getting Davis in the trade, sure you would be willing to trade LaVine, but not for another unproven rookie and a guy who can't shoot in Lonzo Ball.

Roderick L. @19RoLo67

You believing in Lonzo hype? What else can the Bulls get if they get in the 3 way trade with the Pelicans and Lakers? It looks like trading just to trade.

This isn't the first time the Bulls have been linked to trade rumors involving Ball, who was the 2nd overall pick in 2017, but has been hampered by injuries and poor shooting during his first two years in the league. I'm not a fan of Ball's game, so I'm hoping the Bulls don't give up the 7th pick on the gamble he'll reach his pre-NBA hype. Now, if New Orleans is making Jrue Holiday available to the Bulls, then I would consider getting involved, but not for Lonzo.

SportyGuy @MMAviewer

Not quite a Pax type move. I could see though, Pax turning that 7th pick into 2 lower first round picks if Boston or LeBron need a 3rd team involved. I can't see Pax committing another PR mess in picking Ball over Rose and Pat.

The whole Chicago homecoming thing hasn't worked out that well in recent years with Dwyane Wade and Jabari Parker, so that might actually work against the Bulls being interested in either Derrick Rose or Patrick Beverley. As for trading down to acquire additional picks, that's probably only an option as part of a larger deal. The Bulls already have the league's youngest roster and probably wouldn't be interested in bringing three rookies to training camp in September.

Ewin George @MasterGeorgeMan

Do you think it's a possibility the Bulls clear up more cap space and make a contract offer to D'Angelo Russell?

Russell is suddenly the flavor of the week after reports of Kyrie Irving's interest in signing with Brooklyn as a free agent. The belief is Irving's ball-dominant style would clash with Russell, who made his first All-Star appearance this past season. Problem for the Bulls is, a max contract offer for Russell would start at $27 million dollars and they don't have that much cap space. There's also the likelihood that pairing Russell with LaVine would not be ideal. Some team will jump in to try to steal Russell away from the Nets, but it probably won't be the Bulls.

Al Musavi @AIBcodin

Don't you think the Bulls need to package some of their current assets and future assets to pick up a useful All-Star veteran or sign and trade a la how Boston's original big three was made?

Like most NBA teams, the Bulls are exploring all options leading up to the draft, but they're not on the list of Anthony Davis' preferred trade destinations and not many other All-Star caliber players will be available this summer. If the Bulls want to make the playoffs next season, they could look into dealing for Memphis point guard Mike Conley, but he's due to make $67 million dollars over the next two years and it would probably cost them the No. 7 pick, plus one of their young players. That's likely a non-starter given the current composition of the roster.

Andre @andre2world

Any possibility of a big time free agent signing here in Chicago? Don't the Bulls have a lot of cap space?

Andre asks the question that's been troubling Bulls fans since the failed attempt to sign LeBron James and Dwyane Wade back in 2010. Why won't the top free agents come to Chicago?

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