All the pieces that the Lakers give up to the Chicago Bulls here are pretty much surpassed by what they get in return. The Bulls send Valentine and Dunn to the Lakers along with the second-year former Boise State Broncos small forward Chandler Hutchison. In return the Lakers send fan favorite guard Alex Caruso along with guard Troy Daniels and Cook.
The Lakers get to significantly upgrade their backcourt and wing positions deeper down the bench. Hutchison can help their small forward position on both ends of the floor. Hutch is playing really well of late and shooting around 49 percent from the field and 33 percent from beyond the arc this season. His game is rounding out nicely in his sophomore campaign.
None of the players that the Lakers would be sending to the Bulls even have a player efficiency rating better than 11.5. That’s why the Lakers have to send a future first round draft pick to the Bulls.
About the only piece that the Bulls are parting ways with in this possible trade deal that has any future consequence on their end is Hutch. They do have to take on multiple contract years for Caruso and Cook. Only $1 million of Cook’s $3 million contract next year is guaranteed. And Caruso makes less than $6 million combined over the course of this year and next.
All-around this trade deal works out nicely for both sides. The Lakers get to take their title journey one step closer to prominence and the Bulls don’t have to tear anything down during their rebuild.