While Crowder brings immediate value for the Chicago Bulls in the wing spot, maybe looking more toward the future for the value in a potential trade target is a better way to go. Even if the Bulls make a big splash trade at the deadline next year, that might not push them over the top to the point where they’re a solidified playoff team.
If the Bulls want to land a piece that could add to their frontcourt rotation for the long-term, then getting into discussions with the Los Angeles Lakers presents an intriguing opportunity. Maybe the most expendable piece that the Lakers are going to shop on the trade block this season is the 24-year-old 6-foot-8 power forward Kyle Kuzma.
It looked for a while like the Lakers were going to use Kuzma as a young chip to bridge the timeline between when superstar forward LeBron James was the face of the franchise, and then when he would pass the torch to big man Anthony Davis. Instead, Kuzma is averaging just 11.9 points per game, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.8 assists. Kuzma isn’t shooting as well from the field as he normally does either (down just below 44 percent).
Moreover, Kuzma presents yet another case where the Bulls could buy-in on a trade target that come could at a lower than usual price tag. Kuzma’s stock is low since he’s off to a slow start this season and isn’t likely to have many suitors out West. The Chicago Bulls could offer the Lakers something like OPJ, point guard Kris Dunn, and/or Hutch to get a deal done here.