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Chicago Bulls: Trade proposals with the Atlantic Division

By Aaron Peterson

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 1: Dennis Smith Jr. #5 of the New York Knicks looks on during a game against the Boston Celtics on December 1, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 1: Dennis Smith Jr. #5 of the New York Knicks looks on during a game against the Boston Celtics on December 1, 2019 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Trading with the Brooklyn Nets is a bit tricky, as the team is probably not loading up for an all-in playoff run this season.

With Kyrie Irving just now coming back to full health and Kevin Durant sidelined until at the very least the rest of this season, it is unlikely that the Nets give up a ton for anything that can be considered a rental for this season. However, in adding Denzel Valentine the team can buy low on a quality shooter who could come in handy off of the bench.

Floor spacing is always something that NBA teams are looking for, but especially contenders. If the Nets feel that Valentine is being underused in Chicago, they could look to grab him at the deadline and sign him to a “prove-it” type deal this Summer. This way, Brooklyn would receive an offensive threat off the bench while Valentine could resurrect his career and value before hitting the open market in unrestricted free agency the following summer.

Giving up on Rodions Kurucs and Dzanan Musa is something that Brooklyn may not be ecstatic about, but grabbing a player of Valentine’s caliber at such a low price is something that may be too enticing to pass on. Both Kurucs and Musa play very limited roles in Brooklyn right now, and this role is highly unlikely to expand when the team moves into what they hope is true contention in 2020-2021. In addition, the 2024 2nd rounder could be used to acquire a rental piece at a future deadline.

Here, Chicago’s haul is probably not ideal, but this transaction allows the Bulls to get at least something back for their former lottery selection. Kurucs and Musa provide for solid length and perimeter shooting, although Musa has struggled mightily this season to shoot the deep ball with efficiency. However, both are very low-risk players and the Bulls are in dire need of shooting.

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