Despite recently trading away their leading scorer, the Chicago Bulls may not be done making moves as the trade deadline approaches.
According to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune, Robin Lopez and Jerian Grant could be the next Chicago Bulls to be on the move. Let’s take a look at what this would mean for both players as well as the franchise.
Odd practice day underscores that Bulls are open for business: https://t.co/QYI4MmIjYZ
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) February 5, 2018
Robin Lopez
“RoLo” as his friends call him, came over to the Bulls during the famous Derrick Rose trade in 2016 and has been nothing short of solid ever since. Averaging roughly 11 points and 6 rebounds during his short time as a Bull, Lopez hasn’t been a stat-sheet-stuffer but has done all the little things that go under appreciated when looking at team wins.
Maybe fans remember last years playoffs where the Bulls dominated the Celtics in the first two games prior to Rajon Rondo’s season ending injury? A lot of that domination was done by Robin Lopez on the glass. The Celtics couldn’t contain him and had absolutely no answer for his offensive rebounding.
Lopez has been an image of consistency for a Bulls team lacking in that particular area. It’s never a mystery with him. You know exactly what you’re going to get from him every time he steps on the court: high percentage shots, good rebounding, solid defensive play, and a team-first mentality. These are qualities that playoff contenders value highly as the playoffs get closer.
I’m sure the only potential RoLo suitors will be playoff contenders in need of some veteran leadership and rim protection. I’m no trade expert, but some teams that come to mind are the Cavs, Blazers, and Raptors. Sure, Lopez would likely have to adapt to a bench role on any of these teams. But this gives him a good opportunity to put his skills to good use, instead of leading a tanking team.
Jerian Grant
Jerian Grant also came over to the Bulls in the Derrick Rose trade in 2016 but has made less of an impact. This season, Grant is averaging roughly 8 points and 5 assists in about 23 minutes of play per game.
Grant is a fine player, who could have a nice career as a useful backup point guard in this league. He just doesn’t fit well with what the Bulls need at this point in time.
Kris Dunn is the Bulls point guard of the future and it seems to be that everyone within the franchise feels that way. Grant also doesn’t shoot the three-ball well (34 percent on the season), something the Bulls need more of off their bench.
I’d expect Grant to be involved in the same deal as Lopez so who knows? Maybe he’ll get an opportunity to provide quality minutes off the bench for a playoff contender as well?
The Chicago Bulls going forward
As if trading away All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler wasn’t enough, the Bulls recently traded away their leading scorer, Nikola Mirotic. Another trade would surely set the Bulls on the direct path to the bottom – where they want to be.
This years draft class is loaded with talent and I’m getting the feeling that the Bulls felt like they were on the brink of missing out. Trading away a veteran piece like Lopez and the backup point guard (Grant) would only solidify what every fan knows – The Bulls are tanking, and tanking hard.
Who knows what Chicago would get in return for a package of RoLo and Grant, but that isn’t the point. The point is what the Bulls would be losing – and that’s wins.
Next: Bulls play the Kings in a big tank game
A trade involving these pieces would also likely mean that the Bulls want newly acquired Jameer Nelson to service as the primary backup point guard to Kris Dunn as opposed to Grant. Maybe they think Nelson is better? Or maybe they think the veteran guard can help teach young Kris Dunn a thing or two? I’m going with the latter.
For the sake of all parties involved, I hope a trade gets worked out. The Bulls need more losses and RoLo and Grant deserve to move on.
Until then… Tank, Bulls, tank!