Building an NBA contender is hard. All 30 of the league’s teams aim to win an NBA title now or later. Yet, every season, only one team does. 

With that said, there’s no shame in trying and failing. There will always be merit in simply “going for it”, whether it works out or not. On the other hand, when it doesn’t, you’ve got to consider going back to the drawing board. 

Of course, that depends on the context. For example, the Memphis Grizzlies didn’t win an NBA title last season, but they shouldn’t be discouraged. This team is built around the young Ja Morant – there is no ceiling on their potential success over the next several seasons. 

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the Chicago Bulls. Zach LaVine is still in his prime, and Lonzo Ball may still be entering his.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls & Memphis Grizzlies Updates

Otherwise, most of this core is on the wrong side of 25. Having won 46 games in 2021-22 and getting eliminated in the first round, they may want to consider starting over. 

This deal doesn’t necessarily compel them to do so, but it goes give them some leeway to retool. Furthermore, it lands DeMar DeRozan on the Memphis Grizzlies.