Every serious NBA team needs an offensive focal point. It doesn’t matter how many elite defenders you have. If there’s nobody to carry your offense, you aren’t getting very far. This has always been the case in the National Basketball Association.
The Brooklyn Nets are no exception. This team is stacked with quality defensive players. They still need an offensive focal point.
If they land one, they could be dangerous. After all, this team is stacked with quality defensive players. The Nets need someone to carry their offense. How about DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls?
The Trade Proposal
Chicago Bulls Receive: F/C Ben Simmons, 2025 First-Round Pick (PHX via BKN), 2027 First-Round Pick (PHI via BKN), 2029 First-Round Pick (DAL via BKN)
Brooklyn Nets Receive: G/F DeMar DeRozan, G Alex Caruso
On the other hand, an offensive focal point doesn’t guarantee success. Even multiple focal points can’t do that.
Just ask the Chicago Bulls. This team entered the 2022-23 season with Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, and DeRozan on their roster. Surely, that much offensive firepower would earn them a spot in the playoffs?
Wrong. The Bulls missed out on the postseason dance – by a long shot. For their efforts, they sent the Orlando Magic the 11th overall pick in the NBA draft.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Brooklyn Nets & Chicago Bulls Updates
This year, they’ll have their own selection. The Brooklyn Nets will not. With that in mind, these teams are in very different positions heading into 2023-24. Does this deal put the Nets in a better one?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
Don’t gloss over the addition of Caruso here. He’s important. In fact, he’s one of the best defensive guards in the NBA. Caruso would be a great addition to a team full of players who already thrive on that end of the floor.
Still, DeRozan is the centerpiece. He’s developed into an elite playmaker. He’ll make the Nets a significantly better team in 2023-24.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Brooklyn Nets & Chicago Bulls Updates
Is he a temporary solution? You bet. DeRozan is aging – he won’t be able to carry the Nets for more than a season or two. Still, given that they owe their first-round draft rights to the Houston Rockets through to 2027, the Nets ought to concern themselves with a short-term window. This team needs to compete. Do the Bulls?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
No. That’s the entire point here. The Bulls put this roster together to compete. It didn’t work. Now, they ought to concern themselves with maximizing their first-round pick in the 2024 draft.
This deal helps in that regard. Simmons is unlikely to crack the team’s rotation. For Chicago, this is about turning DeRozan and Caruso into draft capital.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Brooklyn Nets & Chicago Bulls Updates
They won’t get three first-round picks for them anywhere else. Chicago is getting extra compensation for taking on Simmons’ contract here. They should be OK with that too. If the Bulls are embracing a longer-term outlook, they won’t need this cap space for a while. If they’re lucky, they’ll be drafting their next offensive focal point soon.
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