2) Chicago Bulls pre-deadline trades involving OPJ
This might be the diciest of the three potential trade packages on this list involving OPJ and the Bulls, ahead of the deadline for this season. The Bulls are parting ways with a good portion of their key pieces in the rotation, but both of the players they’re moving on from hypothetically are in the final year of their current contracts.
An intriguing addition to the Bulls frontcourt rotation in any salary matching deal involving OPJ being shipped off would be the Orlando Magic star center Nikola Vucevic. This one-time NBA All-Star selection is still one of the most underrated big men in the league in the modern day. He’s off a real solid start this season too.
The Bulls also take on the former Texas Longhorns big man Mo Bamba in this trade deal. They have to ship off the likes of OPJ and fourth-year 23-year-old power forward Lauri Markkanen to the Magic in return.
Here the Magic do get the option of commanding the offer sheet for Markkanen heading into next offseason. And they get to find a new piece to build their roster heading into the future.
What the Bulls get is a firm piece to build around in the immediate future, and another solid go-to option on the offensive end alongside standout shooting guard Zach LaVine. Bamba might also be able to revitalize his career after a change of scenery if he landed in the Windy City.
This deal really could make sense for all parties involved, but the Bulls would definitely win the day if they could find a way to get Vucevic for less than $30 million per year.