With trade season approaching, here are the 4 steps the Bulls must take to get out of the middle

There are no shortcuts off of the treadmill of mediocrity.
The Chicago Bulls have been treading water for the last few years with very little flexibility to accomplish any major roster shakeups. Finally, the team took steps towards changing their direction, but they're still teetering on the edge of losing their pick to the San Antonio Spurs.
To get out of the middle and, eventually, onto a pathway to contention, they must commit to a multi-year plan in which they clear cap space, accumulate picks and young players with upside to eventually be able to make a splash in the summer of 2026.
With the official opening of trade season kicking off starting Sunday, December 15, here's the four-ste...