A real question pertaining to any trade package that the Chicago Bulls could develop to get into talks with the Warriors to snag Russell is what a first round pick means to their front office. The Warriors could have a solid lottery pick in store for the 2020 NBA Draft, but so could the Bulls. Both teams are not doing so hot this season.
But this move actually makes some sense for a Warriors team that could be back in NBA Title contention come the 2020-21 season. The Warriors could get a lottery protected first round pick from the Bulls and match salaries in the form of former Washington Wizards small forward Otto Porter Jr.
What works in the favor of the Bulls is getting off the money of OPJ since he has only played in nine games so far this season. D-Lo could be a more reliable option and form quite the dynamic duo in the backcourt with either rookie point guard Coby White or the rising star shooting guard Zach LaVine.
The Warriors also come out on top here by deepening their bench for next season if they’re able to re-sign the 26-year-old shooting guard and capable rotational playmaker Denzel Valentine. They send young guard Jacob Evans to the Bulls, where maybe they can make something better of him in the Windy City. But Valentine is a more useful player off the bench over the long haul for them than Evans is.