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Chicago Bulls: Grading their 2019 NBA Trade Deadline

By Luke Askew

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 2: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards looks to pass against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Capital One Arena on January 2, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 2: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards looks to pass against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Capital One Arena on January 2, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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The Chicago Bulls didn’t make any blockbuster trades before the trade deadline, but they were still productive with their moves. How did they do overall?

After weeks of rumors, chaos and uncertainty, the trade deadline has finally passed. The Chicago Bulls walked away from the madness with a decent haul, including a trio of young wings. In the process, though, they parted from talented forwards and established leaders. Did they make the right decisions?

The Bulls started their trade season a little over a month ago when they sent Justin Holiday to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Wayne Selden and two second-round draft picks. Not only did moving Holiday bring nice assets to Chicago, but it also provided rookie forward Chandler Hutchison with a larger role.

Whenever a tanking team can provide one of their recent first-round draft picks with a bigger opportunity, they need to do it. Good job, Bulls.

Next, the Bulls made a couple relatively minor trades with the Houston Rockets that sent Michael Carter-Williams, Carmelo Anthony and cash to the Chicago. MCW and Melo were waived before they could play a game with the Bulls, but the cash remains in hand.

The Bulls continued to move the needle of their franchise in the right direction when they made a move to get former first-round pick Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and cash from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for a protected second-round pick. Luwawu-Cabarrot had a few nice moments in his Bulls debut. His role should increase as the season goes on.

The Bulls’ most exciting (and surprising) trade came on Feb. 6 when the Washington Wizards agreed to send Otto Porter to the Windy City in exchange for Bobby Portis, Jabari Parker and a 2023 second-round pick.

Trading Portis and Parker couldn’t have been easy, but Porter brings a level of versatility to the wing that the Bulls haven’t had in a long time. His contract isn’t ideal, but that should be the least of the Bulls’ concerns as a franchise. They have bigger fish to fry.

If Porter can provide the Bulls with some deep shooting and defense, the trade will be a massive success.

The biggest surprise of the Bulls’ trade deadline was the lack of Robin Lopez movement. Whether the Bulls decide to keep him around for the remainder of the season or buy him out remains to be seen. Either way, it would’ve been nice to get something back for RoLo instead of settling for a few months of leadership or a buyout.

Overall, the Bulls did a nice job during this chaotic trade season. They made moves consistent with the direction of the franchise and didn’t mess anything up. At this point, that’s a win.

dark. Next. 3 reasons Otto Porter is a solid building block

Grade: B+

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