For far too long, the Chicago Bulls have been stuck in NBA purgatory.

The only thing worse than being bad is being average, at least in the NBA. Once you get stuck in that rut, it's hard to get out.

The Bulls have made the play-in tournament the past three seasons, but each time, they have fallen short of reaching the NBA playoffs. Even if they advanced, the chances of an upset were remote.

Chicago was a nice second-half story. Josh Giddey proved he's worth a significant investment. Coby White continued to come into his own, and first-round pick Matas Buzelis oozed potential down the stretch.

Giddey will be a 22-year-old restricted free agent after averaging 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game. The former No. 6 overall pick also shot 37% from three-point range.

Giddey and White are good players. But it's time for Chicago to trade up for a star.

Chicago swung and missed with Zach Lavine. He's an electrifying scorer, but not someone who changes the fortunes of a franchise.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is, though, and there are rumors that the Bucks might be willing to move him after another first-round exit.

NBC Chicago reporter Logan Reardon proposed a trade of White, Giddey, Patrick Williams, Buzelis and multiple first-rounders for Antetokounmpo recently, and it makes complete sense.

It's a high price to pay. Yet, for a franchise that hasn't won a playoff series since Derrick Rose was still in uniform, the time for waiting and hoping is over.

Chicago needs to be bold. It needs to turn its assets into a star.

Luka Doncic just moved to a new team via trade, so maybe the Bulls can pull off a similar blockbuster, finally giving them a chance at relevance and NBA title contention.

It would take more than just Antetokounmpo to seriously contend. Building around a 30-year-old superstar is a much better alternative than whatever the Bulls have been doing, though.

Superstars are rare commodities in the NBA. That's why if Chicago has any chance to pull off a trade like this, which is probably a long shot within the division, it has to try or risk being stuck in purgatory for even longer.