Heading into any NBA season, all 30 teams have goals. Sure, every team would like to be in the running for the NBA title. That isn’t realistic. So, the league’s front offices need to know what their realistic goals are.
Whatever the Chicago Bulls had in mind, they surely didn’t achieve it. This team likely knew they wouldn’t be in the running for the NBA title. With that said, the Bulls were a veteran team. They must have expected to make the playoffs. Unfortunately, they didn’t get to the big dance.
The New York Knicks did. In fact, they even won a playoff series. In all likelihood, they exceeded their own goals. With that said, the Knicks will have higher ambitions in 2023-24. Could they acquire DeMar DeRozan from the Bulls in an effort to fulfill them?
The Trade Proposal
Chicago Bulls Receive: G/F Evan Fournier, C Isaiah Hartenstein, 2024 First-Round Pick (NYK)
New York Knicks Receive: G/F DeMar DeRozan
With that said, some teams set a goal to lose. That’s a product of the league’s lottery system. Some teams know they won’t be title contenders. As a result, they’d rather lose to maximize their lottery odds.
That won’t work for everyone. Some teams don’t own their own first-round pick in the upcoming draft. That was the situation that the Bulls were in last season. If they’d owned their pick, perhaps they’d have made rebuilding moves at the deadline. They didn’t, and the Orlando Magic were rewarded with the 11th overall pick as a result.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls & New York Knicks Updates
Consider that spilled milk – the Bulls have no reason to cry over it. What’s done is done. In 2023-24, the Bulls will own their own first-round pick. This front office has to at least take that into account when making plans this summer. Should they trade DeRozan as a result?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
Well, the Bulls don’t have to tank just because they’re trading DeRozan. This team has a lot of decisions to make. With that said, trading DeRozan makes sense no matter what.
After all, DeRozan is aging. He’s also a ball-dominant player. As talented as he is, he’s reduced Nikola Vucevic’s role by virtue of his own style on the Bulls. Still, the most important questions surrounding the Bulls pertain to Zach LaVine. He’s the most important player on this team.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls & New York Knicks Updates
The Bulls could trade him and tank for a top lottery pick next season. Alternatively, they could retool around LaVine – he’s young enough to plan around. Either way, moving on from DeRozan while he can still retain some trade value makes sense. Should the Knicks be interested in him?
Why The New York Knicks Do The Deal
DeRozan may not be an obvious fit with this team. In fact, it’s difficult to find an obvious fit for DeRozan. He’s a dynamic talent, but his relative inability to space the floor makes him difficult to fit onto a lot of NBA rosters.
Sure. Still, DeRozan is a fantastic shot-creator and playmaker. This is a dynamic offensive player. To an extent, that justified this deal for the Knicks on its own. They’re a win-now team adding a great player – they can figure out the fit later.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls & New York Knicks Updates
Meanwhile, this offense is built around two plus shooters. If Julius Randle can maintain his three-point efficiency, he should work alongside DeRozan. Jalen Brunson is a strong shooter as well. If the Knicks can figure out a scheme to accommodate DeRozan’s skill set, who knows? They could exceed expectations in 2023-24.
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