Making the Case: Chicago Bulls
The idea around the trade was to improve the Chicago Bulls’ defense, the worst unit to make the playoffs at 23rd-overall in defensive rating. At the core of that disappointing finish was a slow-footed center, Nikola Vucevic.
Vucci Mane has plenty of merits to his game, but elite defense certainly isn’t one of them. He’s passable as a drop defender with elite perimeter defenders around him, but the Bulls’ lack of healthy stoppers really exposed their need for a stouter anchor in the middle.
If Chicago is able to retain Zach LaVine, he and DeMar DeRozan will be plenty capable of carrying the Bulls’ offense on their own. It would make sense to move on from Vuc to upgrade on the other end of the court.
Dwight Powell has had yet another career resurgence after suffering through an Achilles rupture two years ago. He made his return to the court last season but was clearly hampered during his rehabilitation and took longer to acquire a rhythm than the Mavericks initially anticipated.
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This last season, though, he captained a surprisingly stingy Dallas defense that took new Head Coach Jason Kidd’s philosophies in stride. Powell’s ability to anchor that unit allowed the Mavericks to confidently move on from Kristaps Porzingis and has them a game away from the Western Conference Finals. If Powell can stay healthy, he should be a transformative addition to the Bulls’ defense.
Chicago also adds a solid 3-and-D wing in Reggie Bullock who will be wonderful insurance for the oft-injured Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso. The future first-round pick gives them more ammunition in either later trades or to add talent on a rookie-scale deal.
