Chicago Bulls Receive: G Tim Hardaway Jr. ($18.9M 2020-21 Salary), G Jalen Brunson ($1.6M), DAL 2021 2nd Round Pick, DAL 2022 1st Round Pick
Dallas Mavericks Receive: G Zach LaVine ($19.5M)
Much like the first proposal, Tim Hardaway Jr. will likely be on the move if the Dallas Mavericks pull the trigger on a trade for Zach LaVine because of the weight of his contract. Adding Jalen Brunson to the mix though may allow for Dallas to trade a second-round pick to the Bulls instead of another first-round.
Jalen Brunson is a proven point guard and can contribute to any team he is on. In his first two seasons in the NBA, Brunson has averaged 8.8 points, 3.2 assists, 46.7% from the floor and 35.2% from three in 130 games at the NBA level. The Bulls drafted Coby White last year but if they decide to trade Zach LaVine, they may look to play around with a two-guard lineup with White and Brunson in the backcourt.
The Mavericks recently signed Trey Burke, who broke out in the NBA Bubble, averaging 17.1 points and shooting 47.1% from deep in the playoffs for the Mavs, to a three-year, $10M deal, so if they were to trade away Jalen Brunson, it would not hurt Dallas too much. Brunson has been a key piece for the Mavs off the bench, but with the recent emergence of Trey Burke, it is hard to imagine Dallas would need Brunson to give them the minutes he has in the past, especially with Luka’s ability to be the primary ball-handler.
The key to any trade for Zach LaVine will be the draft picks and if the price is right for what the Bulls want to receive. Giving up a first-round pick in 2022 and a second-round pick in 2021 does not seem flashy, but would be two immediate draft assets for the Bulls. The Bulls already have 2 second-round picks in the 2021 NBA Draft and by adding another, they could package the three picks to move up and gain another late-first round pick. With two first-round picks in 2021 and two first-round picks in 2022, the Bulls would be in a great position to either draft their core for the future, or go out and try to trade for a big name.
