The best ability is availability. It doesn’t matter how talented you are. If you won’t be there, you’re not offering much value. That’s true in the NBA as well. An injury-prone player can be very problematic for any team.
Of course, no player wants to get injured. It’s the worst thing that can happen to an NBA player’s career. With that in mind, Lonzo Ball of the Chicago Bulls must be struggling. He’s expected to miss the entirety of the 2023-24 season with a brutal injury. Here’s hoping that he can get back on an NBA floor as soon as possible.
By contrast, Malcolm Brogdon of the Portland Trail Blazers is expected to be ready to begin the year. With that said, there are broad injury concerns about him. Brogdon is an injury risk. Could the Bulls acquire him anyway?
The Trade Proposal
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G Lonzo Ball, 2028 Second-Round Pick (CHI), 2029 Second-Round Pick (CHI), 2030 Second-Round Pick (CHI)
Chicago Bulls Receive: G Malcolm Brogdon
Issues make for a lot of complications in the NBA. Apparently, the league intends to address some of those complications. This season, the league will instill new rules about resting. A team can only rest one-star player per game if two or more are deemed available.
This is not a catch-all solution. What constitutes “available”? What if a player is dealing with a personal issue: do they have to play? Moreover, injuries can be ambiguous. A player could have a nagging issue that they’d benefit from resting for – even if they technically could play.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers & Chicago Bulls Updates
We’ll see how this unfolds. While it’s true that fans pay hard-earned money to see stats, it’s also true that star players work hard to preserve their bodies. Why would they risk exacerbating an injury during the regular season if their team is bound for a deep playoff run? Either way, should the Bulls acquire a player who’s likely to need so much rest?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
It’s worth noting that plenty of fans think the Bulls should be rebuilding. We sympathize. This team had a very disappointing 2022-23 season. They’re aging. If the Bulls decided to blow up their roster, we couldn’t blame them.
With that said, it’s also worth noting that the Bulls have been without their starting point guard. This could have been a radically different team with a healthy Lonzo Ball. His ability to space the floor, defend his position, and make plays could have been vital for them. Is Brogdon a suitable replacement?
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers & Chicago Bulls Updates
Absolutely. Brogdon may not have Ball’s floor vision, but he’s a solid passer in his own right. He’s also a more consistent half-court scorer. If the Bulls intend on staying competitive this season, Brogdon could aid them in that cause. Should the Blazers give him up?
Why The Portland Trail Blazers Do The Deal
The Bulls may opt to stay competitive. They’ve invested a lot in a win-now roster. On the other hand, the Blazers should surely be aiming for the bottom of the standings. This team is in year one of a rebuild. They should be focused on procuring top lottery odds ahead of the 2024 draft.
In that sense, Brogdon won’t be helpful. Perhaps that’s why the Blazers are expected to shop him. With that in mind, they may not get a massive return for him. Given Brogdon’s injury concerns, he’s not likely to net the Blazers an unprotected first. Three second-round picks should be market value for his services.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers & Chicago Bulls Updates
Besides, they’re also landing Ball. He won’t play this year, but if he can play next year, and reestablish his value, Portland could flip him as well. All they need is for Ball to be available.
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