2019 acquisitions
Otto Porter Jr.
The trade for forward Otto Porter Jr. makes perfect sense. It’s as simple as that. Porter can shoot, space the floor, and is a true “glue” player with the ability to help LaVine and Markkanen get better and grow into the young stars they can become.
I have zero issues with the $27.2 million and $28.4 million that Porter is owed over the next two seasons, in part, because it does not affect the team’s future goals of obtaining a star in 2021 free agency.
Grade: A
Coby White
This year’s draft was interesting, to say the least. I actually like Coby White, but the Bulls drafted hoping to fill a need at point guard and I do not like drafting for need when a franchise is rebuilding. GarPax should have drafted former Texas big man Jaxson Hayes, former Duke standout Cam Reddish or even former Gonzaga star Brandon Clarke because they are unique and exciting players with true, high ceiling.
White is probably going to become a great candidate one day for Sixth Man of the Year, coming off the bench as a scoring machine. With a top ten pick, this seems like a reach, just like the idea of trying to trade Dunn.
Grade: B
Daniel Gafford
Next up is big man Daniel Gafford, formerly from the University of Arkansas. Gafford makes for a steal for the Bulls because he has true first-round talent, though he was selected in the second round. Gafford is the perfect fit for a team made up by young, high-ceiling talent. He can run the floor, pound the offensive glass and block shots.
Historically, GarPax has rarely used a second-round pick. The Bulls have been prone to trade assets of this type in the past. This time, GarPax kept the second-round pick and actually made the right decision.
Grade: A