1) Chicago Bulls trades with Nets for LaVine:
Getting a third team involved in the trade deal adds a lot of intrigue as to what the Bulls could get back for LaVine. In this particular hypothetical trade package, the Bulls and Nets get a building power in the Western Conference involved in the talks to move things along with Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Pelicans are looking to take the next step forward to really contend in the West over the long haul. And what better way to do that than stack younger depth that can help them out for a long time. That’s what the Pelicans can get here by shipping off point guard Jrue Holiday to the Bulls and small forward Darius Miller to the Nets.
In return, the Bulls are sending off fourth-year former Arizona Wildcats power forward Lauri Markkanen along with veteran forward Thaddeus Young, both to the Pelicans. Markkanen didn’t have his best season with the Bulls during the 2019-20 campaign, and Young just didn’t look like he was in the right role in his first year in the Windy City. The Pelicans also get wing Rodions Kurucs from the Nets to shore up the depth in that spot in their rotation.
Getting the Pelicans involved here is really interesting for the Bulls. Sure parting ways with both Lauri and LaVine isn’t ideal, but getting the likes of Holiday and the Nets center Allen are definitely great moves. They also get the 2020 first round draft pick (19th overall as previously mentioned) from the Nets.