Synergy leads to results. When things are in order, they tend to function. NBA teams know this. Every general manager in the league would like to eventually build a synergistic squad.
Arguably, that starts in the backcourt. A team’s backcourt ought to have complimenting skillsets. If you’ve got an elite playmaker, you’d prefer to pair them with an elite scorer. That will be a backcourt with synergy. With that in mind, the Indiana Pacers have already got a dynamic playmaker in Tyrese Haliburton.
Do they have an alpha scorer? That depends on your opinion of Benedict Mathurin. He’s got a lot of potential, but it’s fair to say that he was prone to inefficiency as a rookie. If the Pacers would prefer to pair Haliburton with a more efficient scorer, could they acquire Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls?
The Trade Proposal
Chicago Bulls Receive: G/F Buddy Hield, F/C Daniel Theis, G T.J. McConnell, G/F Benedeit Mathurin, 2025 First-Round Pick (IND), 2027 First-Round Pick (IND)
Indiana Pacers Receive: G/F Zach LaVine
Were the Bulls missing synergy this year? It seems likely. This team had a lot of talent. The Bulls were supposed to make a playoff run. They fell well short of that expectation. In the end, they’d send a lottery pick to the Orlando Magic.
Perhaps the talent didn’t fit. Between LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic, there’s a lot of ball dominance. On the other hand, there’s very little defense. These players have a lot of skills- they just don’t complement each other. When the Bulls constructed this roster, they neglected synergy.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls & Indiana Pacers Updates
What they’ll do next is anybody’s guess. This front office has not shown much of an appetite for rebuilding in recent years. At the same time, let’s be honest – the Bulls should probably rebuild. Does this deal get them off to the right start?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
Frankly, it will come down to what the Bulls see in Mathurin. If they think he’s got potential, they should like this trade. For what it’s worth, Mathurin is a young man with relentless confidence who’s intensely competitive. Doesn’t that sound like another volume-scoring guard that was once rostered?
We’re not saying Mathurin will be Michael Jordan. Still, he’s got star-player potential. His ability to create his own shot could lead him to great things in the NBA. Mathurin needs to diversify his skillset – he needs to add some playmaking to his arsenal, and his defense could improve – but he’s still an exciting player for the Bulls to add.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls & Indiana Pacers Updates
Otherwise, they’re adding a few veterans on extremely manageable contracts. Most significantly, the Bulls are adding a pair of first-round picks here. If they’re looking to start rebuilding their squad, they’ll be interested in this trade. Should the Pacers offer it?
Why The Indiana Pacers Do The Deal
The Pacers do this deal to add Zach LaVine. In contrast to the Bulls, they’ll be deciding that they’ve had enough of rebuilding. This would be a win-now push for the Pacers.
That would be typical of this organization. As a small market team, the Pacers don’t tank. Nobody should be shocked if this organization is a buyer this season. With that in mind, we think LaVine would be a perfect addition to this roster.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls & Indiana Pacers Updates
After all, his skillset should perfectly complement Haliburton’s. The young point guard will run the offence, while LaVine capitalizes on every opportunity to score. With Myles Turner in the middle, this should be a playoff team. The Pacers may be synergistic enough to make some noise once they get to the postseason, too.
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