Chicago Bulls Receive: F Marcus Morris Sr.
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: F Derrick Jones Jr., G Coby White, CHI 2027 2nd Round Pick
Marcus Morris Sr. is a key player on the Los Angeles Clippers’ roster and with Paul George out due to an elbow injury, the veteran forward has really stepped up on the wing for Los Angeles. Since December, Morris is averaging 17.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and is shooting 39.3% from three-point range in 19 total games.
At 32-years-old, Morris brings a ton of years of experience, both regular season and playoff, to any team in this league, which is why he could be of use to the Chicago Bulls.
Not only do they need a versatile scorer/shooter on the wing for depth with Patrick Williams being out, but the Bulls are a very inexperienced team. Only LaVine, DeRozan and Vucevic have at least 6 years of NBA playing experience and not many players on this roster have real playoff experience.
Now in his 11th NBA season, Marcus Morris has been to the playoffs with three different franchises and could give this Bulls team that extra “spark” of energy that they are missing on the wing right now.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Chicago Bulls Willing To Trade Coby White At Deadline?
The Clippers do not necessarily want to tear down what they have built over the years, especially by trading away key contributors like Morris, Batum and others, but now is the best time for them to try and get some of the future assets back that they traded away in the past.
Los Angeles does not have a first-round pick until 2027, they are way over the luxury tax line and they look like nothing more than a possible play-in tournament team this season with both George and Leonard out due to injuries.
Obviously there is nothing management could have done to foresee these injuries and it is unfortunate, but saving money and building for the future are two key things the Clippers can do to salvage this season.
They may not get a first-round pick for Morris like they would probably hope, but taking on Derrick Jones Jr.’s contract this season saves them tax money and Coby White is a young, former first-round pick that could be of value to the Clippers.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Chicago Bulls Willing To Trade Coby White At Deadline?
Now in his third season, Coby White has emerged as a key combo-guard in Chicago and has displayed the ability to play with or without the ball in his hands.
Shooting a career-best 39.5% from three-point range this season and being just 21-years-old, White is someone that the Clippers could add to their young group of Terance Mann, Ivica Zubac and Luke Kennard to begin building a sustainable team for future success with or without Paul George and Kawhi Leonard.
Trading away assets at the trade deadline could make the most sense for the Clippers right now, but they must make sure they are getting the most value possible.