No. 6 pick: New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans desperately need help in the middle to spell Anthony Davis from banging around too much and getting hurt. Taj Gibson looks like a good fit as a tandem big with the phenomenal big man from Chicago.
The Pelicans get to trade with the Bulls and still get the 14th to grab a young power forward like bruiser Damian Jones, Cheick Diallo or Deyonta Davis. Pelicans general manager Dell Demps is notorious for trading lottery picks for veterans, so GarPax may choose to work gingerly with the Pelicans to give them what they think they need.
At sixth, the Bulls can lurk for just about any prospect at that point. You name them, they’re probably on the board.
The only red flag to this trade may be Gibson not passing a team physical. The No. 6 spot may still look too valuable to trade down for a struggling Pelicans team, but who knows. A deal could always be something to consider and the 14th spot has plenty of sleepers in a power forward-rich first round.
Demps may really like the idea of Taj Gibson (plus Tony Snell) and a swap between picks in the first round.
Next: No. 4 pick: Phoenix Suns