Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal

The Chicago Bulls do this deal for two reasons: D’Angelo Russell’s scoring, and a first-round pick. Those reasons happen to be closely related.

This Bulls team needs to make changes this summer. An unprotected 2023 first-round pick helps them do that. This could be a trade that portends another trade. If the Bulls use the pick they’re acquiring here to trade for a high-end defensive big later in the summer, that shouldn’t come as a shock.

Meanwhile, the Bulls also value Russell’s scoring punch here. This trade finds them leaning into an identity. Between Russell, LaVine, and DeRozan, they’ll have three players who can score at will. Plus, he may not have Ball’s floor vision, but Russell is adept at setting up teammates.

Again, we’d like to assume this move comes among other moves for the Bulls. If they manage to land a good defensive big, they may determine that emphasizing shot creation above all else is sensible with the defensively stout Patrick Williams at the 4.

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On the other hand, are the Wolves getting enough back to give up Russell’s shot creation?