Maybe the most difficult part about the Chicago Bulls accepting this trade deal is how long the former Golden State Warriors and North Carolina Tar Heels small forward Harrison Barnes‘ money would be on the books. Barnes has four years left on his current contract, worth a little less than $25 million per.
But at least Barnes stays healthier comparatively to OPJ. While Barnes is a bit overpaid, the value he brings to the table for salary matching purposes and in terms of consistency and durability is much better for the Bulls. So far this season, Barnes is averaging 15.1 points per game, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, while shooting 44.9 percent from the field and 35.1 percent from beyond the arc.
The Bulls also get some insurance here by landing the talented 6-foot-6 and 220 pound shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, who is one of the more underrated players that stuck around the rumor mill at times this season. Bogdanovic is averaging 14.4 points per game, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, while shooting 42.6 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from three-point range.
The weird part about this trade proposal is that the Bulls would actually be getting a better three-point shooter so far this season in Bogdanovic than they would with Hield. Bogdanovic is also more of an efficient decision maker with the ball in his hands. He can run sets alongside another guard like LaVine, or help the development of rookie 6-foot-5 point guard Coby White along from here on out.
The Bulls give up point guard Kris Dunn and OPJ to get a return of Bogdanovic and Barnes.