2. Is Thaddeus Young a lock to be traded?
Speaking of one of the Los Angeles teams, the Clippers have sat in the midst of the trade discussions for the Chicago Bulls and veteran forward Thaddeus Young for about the last month. Playing Young in just 22 minutes per game isn’t something that makes good use of his veteran presence or refined skill set. Send him elsewhere if that’s going to be the plan for him in a Bulls uniform.
If the Bulls were to make a deal with the Clippers to get Thad out of the Windy City, then the idea is that they get two-way small forward Maurice Harkless in return. Harkless helps the Bulls add depth on the wing since head coach Jim Boylen doesn’t want to either play Young or Valentine there in the wake of the OPJ foot fracture.
The Bulls also aren’t giving enough playing time to second-year small forward Chandler Hutchison despite their void in depth on the wing at the moment. Landing Harkless would almost force Boylen and the Bulls to play a solidified and reliable two-way wing that can contribute either in the starting five or as a sixth or seventh man off the bench.
Of all the Bulls players that could be traded at the deadline next month, Young should be at the top of the list. His trade value and certainty that he will be dealt at the deadline aren’t necessarily due to poor on-court performance, but poor usage during his brief stint with the Bulls thus far. Send him to a contender that has value to give in return to salvage what confidence Young has left.