The Chicago Bulls have followed up their blockbuster trade for big man Nikola Vucevic with another trade, this time coming to terms with the Washington Wizards in a swap of young players needing a change of scenery.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN broke the news of the second deal that will see the Bulls shipping out Daniel Gafford and Chandler Hutchinson in exchange for Troy Brown and Mo Wagner.
Washington is trading Troy Brown and Mo Wagner to Chicago for Daniel Gafford and Chandler Hutchinson, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 25, 2021
Brown was a buy-low candidate the team should inquire on ahead of the trade deadline and Wagner fits a similar bill. Meanwhile, the Bulls are sending out two young players of their own that should benefit from a change of scenery. This deal makes sense for both teams as all young players involved could not solidify a spot in their teams’ rotation so far this season.
Brown has upside as a 3-and-D player that the Bulls would love to have added to their rotation. With the departure of Otto Porter Jr. in the earlier trade, a good chunk of minutes on the wing were opened up and Brown will now have the chance to earn that playing time.
Wagner is another player that brings a skill set that is valued in the modern NBA as a stretch big that can knock em down from behind the arc. He is incredibly streaky and will need to improve on that but offers potential where Gafford did not. If Wagner can find consistency shooting the ball he could be utilized as both a backup center and see the occasional minutes next to Vucevic in the frontcourt.
Both players won’t be counted on to provide much due to the lack of production the Bulls were getting from the two players they sent out. Still, both offer upside and could emerge in the Bulls rotation moving forward. It’s a logical move that could benefit both the Bulls and the Wizards in the long term.
Still, the Bulls may not be done dealing ahead of the deadline.