Chicago Bulls: Trade packages with the Northwest Division
Although a very deep team, the Denver Nuggets need to address the backup point guard position to fill out their reserve group.
This deal is a lot less flashy than the rest of the trades made between the Bulls and this division, but that makes sense considering that Denver is one of basketball’s top teams. They may not be inclined to shake things up at all, but if they do, Kris Dunn is a very realistic option for them.
Kris Dunn has been phenomenal for the Bulls this season, emerging as one of the NBA’s best perimeter defenders. With a plethora of scorers on the Nuggets bench, the team could look to add a lockdown defender at the deadline in order to give them an extra boost in the playoffs.
Dunn has found much more success in focusing on the defensive end rather than the offensive side of the ball, and he could do the same thing in Denver. Additionally, their reserve unit could use a solid passer like Dunn to get the ball to Michael Porter Jr. and Jerami Grant.
Letting Malik Beasley and Torrey Craig walk wouldn’t be too devastating for Denver, as although Beasley is a former first round selection, he is in the final year of his rookie contract. Both Beasley and Craig have struggled to find minutes this season, which makes them expendable assets for the Nuggets.
As for Chicago, the Bulls would be giving up a valuable asset in Dunn, but would get back two second round picks and a serviceable young shooter in Malik Beasley. Torrey Craig would likely not be a part of the Bulls future, as he is a 29-year-old who struggles to find consistent minutes in Denver. Beasley, however, could be a nice addition to the team as a floor spacer. His contract is set to expire at the end of this season, but re-signing him on a cheap deal is a real possibility.