Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G/F DeMar DeRozan, C Nikola Vucevic
Chicago Bulls Receive: G Russell Westbrook, 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL), 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL)
Both of these teams have plenty of talent. With that said, the talent that they have doesn’t necessarily fit well together.
In fact, people questioned the fit between the Lakers’ stars from the moment they assembled them. Historically, LeBron James-led teams put elite spacing around the star playmaker. With that in mind, a primary ball-handler who can’t shoot like Westbrook was never an ideal fit.
The Bulls, on paper, ought to be more functional. There’s no reason that DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic can’t play together – on offense.
The issue is that these are three players with defensive limitations who demand a lot of minutes.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Lakers & Chicago Bulls Updates
The two teams make for an interesting comparison. If Westbrook could shoot, or Vucevic could defend, we probably wouldn’t be having this conversation. With that said, NBA contention is not built on hypotheticals.
Does this deal make the Lakers better in reality?
