In this potential trade deal, the Bulls are the ones that have to send a future first round draft pick to the Pacers. And the Bulls do have to let go of more personnel than the Pacers would in this possible scenario. The Bulls have to give up their two biggest free agent signings from last offseason, which didn’t really workout in their first year in the Windy City.
Former Washington Wizards 6-foot-7 combo guard Tomas Satoransky was brought over to the Windy City in a sign-and-trade deal on a valuable contract. At least that’s what it seemed like at the time. Sato was signed for a three-year contract worth $30 million. But only half of the final $10 million is guaranteed.
Moreover, maybe the biggest twist of this trade deal involves the Pacers getting back a free agent they let walk last offseason. Veteran forward Thaddeus Young lands back in a Pacers uniform, where he was much more effective than he was in his first in a Bulls uniform. Last season, Young registered a 1.5 box plus/minus rating with the Pacers compared to -1.1 this season with the Bulls.
Sato and Young might be more effective with the Pacers than they are the Bulls. Young could fill the same, or a similar role, to what he did last season. And Sato could be a solid backup point guard that mentors the young Aaron Holiday and provides depth behind Malcolm Brogdon.