Brooklyn Nets Receive: C Nikola Vucevic, F Patrick Williams
Chicago Bulls Receive: G Kyrie Irving, 2027 First-Round Pick (PHI)
This deal finds the Brooklyn Nets again landing a stretch five to pair with Ben Simmons. It also improves their defense, only this time, they’re getting each quality in different players.
Which isn’t to say Williams can’t shoot. He’s shooting 41.3% from distance over his NBA career so far. Granted, injuries cut his sophomore year short, so that’s a sample size of 88 games. That’s still a large enough sample to feel good about his floor spacing.
In fact, parting with him will sting the Chicago Bulls. That’s why they’re getting a first-round pick here as well. Still, this trade works for them whether or not they retain soon-to-be free agent Zach LaVine.
If the Bulls do, they’ve got one of the most dangerous offensive trios in the NBA in LaVine, Irving and DeRozan. If they don’t, they’re landing LaVine’s replacement.
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Meanwhile, the Nets largely make this trade with the Bulls to space the floor around Ben Simmons. Vucevic had a down year from distance in 2021-22, but opponents will still respect his three-point attempts. Williams, as we’ve outlined, is a shooting threat, and a high-end defender as well.
The Brooklyn Nets may take a talent downgrade in this trade with the Bulls, but with a healthy Ben Simmons, it may make them a better team.
