Around the NBA, some teams are pretty disappointed. They’re not having the season that they’d hoped for. Yet, they all need to be putting that disappointment in context. Why have they fallen short of expectations?
The Memphis Grizzlies have plenty of good excuses. Ja Morant is serving a suspension. Steven Adams is out for the year with an injury.
This team does not have their full roster at their disposal. The Grizzlies will look to improve when Morant returns. On the other hand, the Chicago Bulls are fresh out of excuses.
This team is healthy – they just aren’t very good. That’s exactly why Chicago is seen as a candidate to rebuild their roster throughout the year.
Could they send Nikola Vucevic to the Grizzlies?
NBA Trade Proposal: Memphis Grizzlies Land Chicago Bulls’ Nikola Vucevic
Chicago Bulls Receive: C Steven Adams, F David Roddy, F Jake LaRavia, 2026 First-Round Pick (Lottery Protected – MEM)
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: C Nikola Vucevic
With that said, the Grizzlies were supposed to be better than this. They can excuse a subpar performance, but they can’t excuse what they’ve delivered this season.
The Grizzlies should be mediocre – instead, they’ve been dreadful. After all, Jaren Jackson Jr. is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. Desmond Bane is a two-way star.
The addition of Marcus Smart was supposed to mitigate the temporary loss of Morant. Did losing a role player like Adams really have this much of an impact on the Grizzlies?
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Nikola Vucevic, Memphis Grizzlies, Chicago Bulls Updates
Perhaps. On the other hand, the NBA is hyper-competitive. The Grizzlies have simply been losing. Whether they’re behind schedule or not, the Grizzlies can’t be judged until Morant is back.
Is Vucevic the right player to compliment him on arrival?
Why The Memphis Grizzlies Do The Deal
It’s fashionable to suggest that Memphis trade for a big man. They could certainly use a replacement for Adams. With that said, Vucevic is far from a perfect replacement. In fact, he’s a vastly different player.
That doesn’t mean that he couldn’t be an intriguing addition. Sure, Adams is a stout defender, and Vucevic struggles on that end of the floor.
On the other hand, Vucevic is a much better offensive talent. His ability to space the floor will open up unparalleled driving lanes for Morant to exploit. Meanwhile, Jackson Jr. can cover for Vucevic on the other end of the floor.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Nikola Vucevic, Memphis Grizzlies, Chicago Bulls Updates
Finally, Memphis doesn’t have to start Vucevic. They could stick with Xavier Tillman and use Vucevic as a sixth man. Either way, this deal makes them a more talented team – when Morant returns, it should put them back in the playoff picture.
Should the Bulls bow out of that race?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
The Bulls don’t look ready to join the playoff race. They missed out on the postseason last year, too. At some point, this team needs to recognize that it’s time to blow up their core.
This would be a good start. The Grizzlies aren’t taking any meaningful money back here. They’re also getting two intriguing young players in Roddy and LaRavia.
Finally, and most importantly, they’re getting a protected first-round pick. Why the protections? Well, Vucevic is an aging defensive liability.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Nikola Vucevic, Memphis Grizzlies, Chicago Bulls Updates
He’s not likely to net the Bulls an unprotected first at this point. With that in mind, this is a return that Chicago shouldn’t be disappointed with.
