Indiana Pacers Receive: G/F Kelly Oubre Jr., G James Bouknight, C Nick Richards, 2023 First-Round Pick (POR via CHI)
Chicago Bulls Receive: C Myles Turner
Charlotte Hornets Receive: C Nikola Vucevic, 2028 First-Round Pick (CHI)
Whether you see this as “more value” than the Indiana Pacers got in the previous trade will largely depend on your assessment of James Bouknight.
For what it’s worth, Bouknight was selected 11th overall in the 2021 Draft. He didn’t get a great opportunity in his rookie season, but at 21, he’s still brimming with upside. The Pacers could easily feel that they’re unlikely to land a player with his potential with any given pick from Chicago.
Meanwhile, the Hornets get their starting big man in Vucevic. Granted, he may not be exactly the big most expected them to target. He won’t necessarily make for an elite lob threat in pick-and-roll sets alongside LaMelo Ball.
On the other hand, with Miles Bridges likely to miss the 2021-22 season, the Hornets may have the bandwidth for a new second offensive option. Vucevic may get to showcase the low block scoring that’s made him a perennial All-Star in Buzz City.
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With that said, if the Hornets aren’t interested in this deal, there may be a way for the Bulls to land Turner without forcing the Pacers to take on Vucevic, or requiring a third team to get involved.
