Cleveland Cavaliers
The most unlikely trade partner, with possibly the least asking price. The Cavs are in full rebuild since their marriage with LeBron James broke off last summer.
With Collin Sexton at point guard and Kevin Love at forward, Cleveland is looking for another guard or center, and at No. 5 or No. 7 both of those will be there. All Chicago has to give up is their pick and a future pick or player such as Valentine and they can move up two spots to select their guy.
Bulls receive: No. 5 overall pick
Cavs receive: No. 7 overall pick, Future first-round pick top-five protected
Cleveland is remaining quiet this offseason and doesn’t have much room to work with. A situation they might explore here in addition to trading picks and receiving a future straight-up is throwing J.R. Smith to the mix.
This could be the Bulls playing him off the bench or just taking him and cutting him for the Cavs, but if he’d play for Chicago they could definitely use him. Smith was traded to the Bulls from the Hornets in 2006 and traded six days later to the Denver Nuggets without ever playing for Chicago.
There could be some feelings there, but all feelings are fixed with money.