Per ESPN reports, the Chicago Bulls have traded guard/forward Justin Holiday to the Memphis Grizzlies for MarShon Brooks, Wayne Selden Jr. and two future second-round draft picks.
The move comes at a time when the Chicago Bulls are stocking up on young talent in the midst of a rebuild.
By trading Justin Holiday, the Bulls are most notably gaining two second-round draft picks, one for 2019, another for 2020. That means the Bulls will enter this summer’s draft with at least two picks.
The Bulls already own the right to its 2019 first-round selection. Prior to the Holiday trade, the Bulls relinquished the rights to its own 2019 second-round draft pick to free up space during the 2016-2017 season for veteran guard Dwayne Wade.
Trading Holiday for two second-round draft picks is not what many would have liked to hear. This is yet another example of the Bulls’ front office demonstrating utter incompetency to make the right decision. A first-round pick would’ve been more ideal.
While the Utah Jazz acquired forward Kyle Korver from the Cleveland Cavaliers through a similarly packaged deal, the Bulls did not get enough value in return for Holiday, especially considering how much youth remains on his side and the serviceable amount likely necessary to re-sign.
Holiday is currently on the backend of a two-year deal with the Bulls, and it expires at the season’s end. Many have questioned if the franchise would consider re-signing the veteran. Holiday has shined at times in his role with the Bulls by proving he is capable of spacing the floor with three-point shooting and providing defense at the other end.
Still, many have questioned why Holiday has been playing so many minutes. What’s more is Holiday has started all 38 games for the Bulls to this point in the 2018-2019 regular season.
With the decision the Bulls have made, it appears forward Chandler Hutchison is the next man up to fill the gap. The rookie has played well as of late, but he is less proven at the offensive end than Holiday is.
What’s more is Hutchison could’ve received more playing time without sending Holiday to the Grizzlies. The Bulls lack depth at the wing position this season in the absence of guard/forward Denzel Valentine.
The trade will come with consequences for the Bulls moving forward. Under head coach Jim Boylen, the team has struggled particularly at the offensive end, in part, because a slower pace is being emphasized, in hopes of promoting the efficiency needed to play more quickly. With that said, Holiday will be missed.
The trade is anticipated to signal the start of more changes to the Bulls’ roster.
Forward Jabari Parker and center Robin Lopez are other names the franchise has been trying to shop. It remains unclear if the Bulls will be able to trade either big man ahead of the Feb. 7 deadline.
The Bulls were expected to waive a player to make this deal possible. According to reporting by the Chicago Tribune, the odd man out is guard Cameron Payne.
The Bulls are currently in the running to have a high lottery position as it regards the 2019 draft.