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Bulls-Thunder Trade: Team grades in five-player deal

By Hunter Kuffel

January 18, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cameron Payne (22) during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 121-100. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 18, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cameron Payne (22) during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 121-100. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago Bulls

Grade: D-

There is one reason that this grade isn’t an F, and that is the really small possibility that Cameron Payne turns out to be a quality starting point guard. I’m not optimistic, as I will detail below.

The Bulls went into the season hoping to get something in return for Taj Gibson so that he wouldn’t end up walking in free agency for nothing. You know, like Pau Gasol did last year when the Bulls could have traded him to Sacramento?

Several teams were listed as potential fits, with Toronto and Boston being the most prominent.

More from Bulls News

We at PAE were optimistic that the Bulls could get at least a late first-rounder for Gibson, considering that he could be a helpful addition to a variety of teams. Instead, the Bulls get Cameron Payne, two fringe rotation players, and lose a draft pick.

Unbelievable.

Anthony Morrow is 31 years old and is shooting 29 percent from 3-point range this season, and he already couldn’t do anything but shoot 3s before this season. Joffrey Lauvergne could maybe grow into a nice player, but he’s already 25, and every minute he plays is a minute that Bobby Portis or Cristiano Felicio sits.

Cameron Payne is currently recording 4.5 assists per 36 minutes and shooting 30.8 percent from deep. Michael Carter-Williams is currently recording 4.3 assists per 36 and shooting 20.9 percent from deep. Jerian Grant is currently recording 3.5 assists per 36 and shooting 34.8 percent from deep.

What exactly do the Bulls think Cameron Payne is going to turn into? And what do they think makes him so much better than the current point guards on their roster when they all seem to have the exact same flaws?

What is it with Gar Forman and score-first point guards that can’t score?

Next: What Bulls are getting and giving up in trade with Thunder

Farewell to Taj to Doug. We envy the fact that you don’t have to deal with this season anymore.

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