What is a beginning, if not the beginning of the end? Sorry if that’s bleak. It happens to be true. All good things, in time, come to an end. That’s as true in the NBA as it is anywhere else.
A team’s run as a contender will eventually come to an end. On the bright side, rebuilding projects eventually come to an end also.
The Chicago Bulls look like a team who may be ready to end their contention run – if it ever started in the first place. They could benefit from making a trade to gain assets to position themselves for a re-tool better.
By contrast, the Oklahoma City Thunder could be ready to end their rebuild a little bit ahead of schedule. They are receiving a strong impact from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and it’s only fair to give him the tools to win as he aims to make the playoffs.
With the way Gilgeous-Alexander has played, it may be the right time to make a bold trade to acquire an All-Star. When Chet Holmgren returns from injury, they could become a real force in the Western Conference.
Here’s a deal that has them doing so by acquiring Zach LaVine from the Bulls.
