2) Chicago Bulls draft trades featuring WCJ
This trade might seem like a bit of a stretch in the Bulls camp, but they would have to risk a good bit of pieces of their young core and/or future draft capital if they were to move up into the top slot. In this hypothetical trade scenario, the Bulls do have to part ways with more than just the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft.
The Bulls also have to give up a lottery protected future first round pick for the 2022 draft and their original Memphis Grizzlies 44th overall pick in the second round of this year’s draft. In addition to all of that draft capital, the Bulls also ship off WCJ and veteran former Indiana Pacers forward Thaddeus Young to the Timberwolves.
In return, the Bulls do get the top overall pick in this draft from the Timberwolves to take whoever they want out of that talented top three and beyond. They do have to take on the large contract of the veteran 33-year-old Wyoming native James Johnson. Funny enough, Johnson was originally the Bulls 16th overall pick in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft.
There will be one year left on the current contract of Johnson, but the Bulls at least free up some cap space over one additional year by shipping off Young. Johnson is very likely to pick up his player option this offseason. And if he does pick it up, then he is set to make just north of $16 million during the 2020-21 season.