With the 2022-23 NBA season in the rearview, it’s time to reflect. Which teams met expectations, and which fell short? The New York Knicks fall into the former group – at least. Realistically, this team didn’t just meet expectations. They exceeded them.
We can’t say the same for the Chicago Bulls. This team hoped their star trio of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic would win them at least one playoff series. Instead, they didn’t even make the playoffs.
Should the Bulls blow up their roster? That’s a judgment call. Still, trading the aging DeMar DeRozan feels like a good decision no matter what their next move is. Here’s a deal that sends him to the New York Knicks.
The Trade Proposal
Chicago Bulls Receive: G/F Evan Fournier, C Isaiah Hartenstein, G Immanuel Quickley, 2025 First-Round Pick (NYK)
New York Knicks Receive: G/F DeMar DeRozan
On the other hand, perhaps expectations are unfair in the first place. There’s an old saying around the NBA. Folks will tell you “That’s why we play the games”. What do they mean?
They mean that a team can look good on paper. It means little in practice. There’s more to an NBA team than the names on the roster. Chemistry, luck, and countless other factors play a role.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls & New York Knicks Updates
What happened in Chicago this season? A combination of things. Still, perhaps the most pressing issue is that the players on this team simply don’t fit all that well together. Would DeRozan be a better fit on the Knicks?
Why The New York Knicks Do The Deal
Frankly, the Knicks defied the very concept of fit this season. This team’s spacing was suboptimal. They were coached by Tom Thibodeau. One might have expected a defensive powerhouse, but an elite offensive team?
Yet, that’s exactly what the Knicks were. DeRozan may not be a better fit in theory, but in practice, we suspect that the Knicks could make this work. Perhaps they move RJ Barrett elsewhere.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls & New York Knicks Updates
Alternatively, the Knicks could play big, wing-heavy lineups. Even small ball groups featuring Julius Randle at the 5 with DeRozan at the 4 could be devastating. Either way, this is a case of a talented team adding a great offensive player. Should the Bulls really give him up?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
Some may expect more than this for DeRozan. Those people would be wrong. Sure, in name, DeRozan is a big deal. He’s still a star-level contributor, too. Why should the Bulls accept this return for him?
DeRozan is aging. He doesn’t space the floor, and he isn’t a positive defender. If Chicago is hoping to score a king’s ransom for DeRozan, they should think again.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls & New York Knicks Updates
With that in mind, this is a solid return. Quickley has flashed star potential in this league: he’s the main draw here. Still, Hartenstein is solid and young enough. Throw in a first-round pick, and the Bulls should move on from DeRozan at this price. They might be happy to lower their expectations a little in the process.
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