Chicago Bulls: 4 potential Denzel Valentine trade packages

One team that is known to be looking for shooters heading into the trade deadline is the Chicago Bulls Eastern Conference foe, the Philadelphia 76ers. It seems like the Sixers are mostly looking to a piece like Detroit Pistons shooting guard Luke Kennard or the Minnesota Timberwolves small forward Robert Covington, but Valentine would be worthy of their attention too.

According to a report from Kevin O’Conner of The Ringer, the Sixers are “most willing” to part ways with the former Texas Tech Red Raiders shooting guard Zhaire Smith heading into the deadline. Since the Sixers aren’t even giving the former first round draft pick Smith a chance to play with their 15-man NBA roster, trading him makes a lot of sense.

Especially if the Sixers could get a piece that is shooting better than 40 percent from three-point range this season like Valentine in return for Smith, the move is well worth it.

Playing in just six games in the NBA with the Sixers last season, Smith averaged 6.7 points per game, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, while shooting 41.2 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from beyond the arc. He’s also scoring at a good pace with the Sixers G-League affiliate Delaware Blue Coats in 15 games this season, averaging 13.9 points per game.

The Bulls get to move Valentine in the final year of his contract for a recent first round pick like Smith that could help out their wing depth woes and might be a better two-way fit in this rotation. They also get a future second round draft pick in return from Philly.