Why This Trade Makes Sense For The Chicago Bulls
Given all of the young talent the Chicago Bulls have and the potential of this roster, the Bulls should look to trade Zach LaVine while his value is still high, that way they can continue to draft high-level prospects. Much like the Warriors and Celtics have done, the Bulls are trying to build a core group of players for years to come from the draft and by trading LaVine, they can escalate their rebuild process tremendously and potentially make the playoffs next year.
While they have gotten off to a fast start this season, there is just too much other talent in the Eastern Conference for them to be a legit playoff team and while they may be in the hunt in the final month of the season, it seems reasonable to say they will miss the playoffs again.
Given the lack of success from this team over the years, Zach LaVine has to be frustrated, whether he says he is or not, and if they fail to make the playoffs again with him on the roster, he may request a trade next offseason, thus leading to his value on the trade market declining. Chicago can’t afford to lose value on LaVine, especially if he is not in their long term plans, which is why this trade with Toronto makes the most sense.
Norman Powell came into his own last year and had a terrific season, averaging 16.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and shooting 49.5% from the floor and 39.9% from three-point range in 52 games. He is an athletic wing player who has the potential to be a Sixth-Man of the Year caliber talent in the second-unit. As an older, but still young talent, he could fit in perfectly in Chicago.
Last season, the Bulls ranked amongst the bottom of the league in three-point shooting, which is an area Matt Thomas can help in. After going undrafted in 2017, Thomas made his NBA debut with the Raptors last season and established himself as a knockdown three-point shooter, averaging 47.5% from three-point range on 99 attempts last season.
It is a small sample size, as he only played in 41 games last year for Toronto, but with guys like Duncan Robinson, Davis Bertans and Joe Harris establishing themselves as sharpshooters over the years, Matt Thomas could be the next great three-point threat in the league given the opportunity.
With all of the draft assets Chicago receives from this trade, along with the two role players they get in Powell and Thomas, they would be in a great position moving forward as a franchise and would be set up for success for years to come.
