Chicago Bulls: 3 possible James Harden trades with the Rockets

3) Chicago Bulls trades to get James Harden

All of these potential trade packages for the Bulls to get Harden from the Rockets largely depend on how Morey plans to move Houston forward starting this offseason. Harden obviously gives any team around the NBA an ability to win now. But unless the Rockets want to start anew and rebuild heading into the 2020-21 season, it doesn’t make much sense to trade Harden.

If they do want to trade Harden, then getting a mix of pieces that are both valuable to the future and still give them so hope to win immediately in the Western Conference is a great way to go. This trade deal is some of what that would offer for the Rockets. They get a few draft picks to stack future draft capital along with a few key pieces of the Bulls young core.

What the Bulls toss into the trade deal here is their fourth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, along with one unprotected future first and one lottery protected future first. That is a lot to give up, but it’s not going to be easy to get Harden to Chicago. They also send shooting guard Zach LaVine, power forward Lauri Markkanen, and small forward Otto Porter Jr. to Houston.

One of the interesting parts about this particular trade package is the sign-and-trade aspect involving the veteran Rockets shooting guard Eric Gordon. His current contract is up soon, but he would be a pretty intriguing fit with Donovan and the Bulls. Gordon plays well alongside Harden and would be a big boost to his supporting cast in this scenario.