Chicago Bulls Receive: G Tyus Jones, G/F Danny Green, G/F Ziaire Williams, F/C Xavier Tillman, 2023 First-Round Pick (MEM), 2024 First-Round Pick (Swap – MEM), 2025 First-Round Pick (MEM), 2027 First-Round Pick (MEM)
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: G Zach LaVine
Of course, many of the best players in league history are those whose skills develop in full before their athleticism begins to decline.
Take Michael Jordan or LeBron James. Each entered the NBA with an already-elite skillset. Jordan could score against anyone in isolation from day one, whereas James was an elite passer in high school. With those skills having developed early, each had an extended run with elite skills and athleticism.
On the other hand, a player like DeMar DeRozan wasn’t quite as lucky. His skills have developed throughout his whole career, but they peaked late.
By now, he’s never been a better basketball player – he simply can’t jump quite as high or run quite as fast as he could in his younger days.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls & Memphis Grizzlies Updates
If anything, DeRozan is a testament to the importance of skill. After all, he just completed the best season of his career at 33. It was a remarkable feat.
With that in mind, the Bulls remained underwhelming, winning 46 games and getting eliminated in the first round. Could they really pull the plug on this core in spite of DeRozan’s development?
