4 former DeMar DeRozan teammates the Bulls should trade for

Former DeMar DeRozan teammates the Chicago Bulls could trade for: Davis Bertans

My favorite underrated potential trade target for the Bulls to go after at the deadline that is a former teammate of DeRozan’s is the Washington Wizards floor-spacing power forward Davis Bertans. For one season with the Spurs back during the 2018-19 campaign, Bertans and DeRozan were solid together as teammates.

Now, the obvious problem with the Bulls going after Bertans is the fact that he’s got an expensive long-term contract to take on. Even after this season concludes, Bertans is due roughly $16 million in average annual value for three more seasons.

In all likelihood, the Wizards are going to be a seller at the trade deadline that is essentially willing to part ways with most pieces on their rosters. And knowing the fact that Bertans saw a dramatic dip in his playing time with the Wizards this season means that a potential suitor like the Bulls could get him at a value price tag.

Moreover, Bertans actually formed the most effective two-man combination of any for DeRozan with the Spurs during the 2018-19 regular season in terms of plus/minus per 100 possessions. Bertans and DeRozan were a +4.0 per 100 possessions on the floor together that season.

The idea of adding Bertans to the second unit for the Bulls is actually a very intriguing one. Since it likely wouldn’t cost the Bulls all that much to get him to Chicago, he could be a nice addition to the frontcourt unit as a very effective floor spacer.

Bertans is a career 40 percent shooter from beyond the arc. He just so happens to be having a down season thus far in just under three-dozen games played.

The Bulls would do well to buy low on Bertans so that he could play a vital role in the second unit to help space the floor and give DeRozan another target to find beyond the arc to create more scoring. That is if the Wizards are willing to give up more pieces for the Bulls to take on this lofty contract.

It’s hard to find a deal that works well between these two teams. I would imagine the Bulls would have to get someone like big man Rui Hachimura or forward Deni Avdija for this team to be willing to make a deal to get Bertans’ lofty contract.