Complex Chicago Bulls trades with the Sixers for Ben Simmons
Another team besides the Sixers that had a rather disappointing end to the season was the Portland Trail Blazers. An early exit in the playoffs once again for the trio of standout center Jusuf Nurkic, shooting guard CJ McCollum, and superstar point guard Damian Lillard, with the Blazers, would also lead to the firing of head coach Terry Stotts.
If there is one high-profile player that looks to be traded out of Portland this summer, it is likely going to be the standout former Lehigh guard McCollum. As the player that didn’t really show up for the Blazers when they needed it most in the playoffs against the reigning MVP and superstar center Nikola Jokic, McCollum isn’t entering the offseason on a high note.
McCollum is one of the centerpieces to this trade deal with the Bulls and Sixers that still sees Simmons land in the Windy City. McCollum is sent off to Philly along with a future unprotected first-round draft pick from Portland and Sato. All the Bulls get in this trade deal is Simmons and Reed, to at least fill out some of the rotation.
And the Blazers wind up getting a decent haul here that can also help free up their cap sheet a good bit heading into next season. They get Young and White from the Bulls along with Markkanen in a sign-and-trade. All three players should be able to contribute to winning efforts right away while adding a lot of flexibility to the books compared to what they currently have with the contract of McCollum.