Examining 3 trade proposals to bring Anthony Davis to the Chicago Bulls

1. B/R proposes a fair deal, for once

Finally, we’re returning back to the realm of possibility with this last trade proposal. Despite Bleacher Report’s reputation for unrealistic and one-sided trade proposals, I think they hit the nail on the head here in regards to what the Chicago Bulls would realistically have to give up to secure Anthony Davis’ immense talents.

B/R’s Grant Hughes suggests a deal where Chicago sends LaVine, Williams, Goran Dragic, and Portland’s lottery-protected (which is expected to convey this year) first-round pick to LA for Davis.

Bleacher Report proposes the most realistic trade to bring Anthony Davis to the Chicago Bulls.

Hughes elaborated on his viewpoint better than most supporters of a Davis-to-Chicago trade that I’ve seen. While Vucevic was dealt away in the last scenario, Hughes goes down an interesting line of thought when exploring how Davis and Vooch would fit together on paper.

"The homecoming angle rarely factors in trades or signings, but this isn’t the first time Chicago has come up in Davis chatter. More importantly, Davis would be an intriguing fit alongside DeMar DeRozan, a theoretically healthy (someday) Lonzo Ball and Nikola Vučević. The Bulls score fewer points in the paint than any team in the league, and opponents are shooting 7.8 percentage points better at the rim on the other end with current starter Vučević in the game. Davis could shore things up around the basket on offense and defense, helping Chicago retake control of that critical area of the floor. Vučević would still be around to stretch the court, all the while guarding the other team’s 5 so AD could roam, ideally like a healthy Robert Williams III did to great effect in Boston last season."

It’s difficult to argue against this plan, at least on paper. If Davis could remain healthy for 60+ games each year and remain available for the postseason, the Bulls would have a genuine first option in DeRozan on offense, a dynamic two-way threat in their Big 3 (something they’re currently sorely lacking) in Davis, a floor-stretching big man in Vucevic, and a host of quality role players. We’ve seen this recipe work for LeBron James in both Miami and Cleveland, so I understand why this would be such an enticing thought.

Of course, this is all just on paper. In reality, it’s impossible to know if AD will overcome his injury issues. It’s impossible to know if DeRozan can dispel the narrative of being a playoff choker and learn how to default to others on offense. It’s impossible to know if Vucevic will ever actually really be a “floor-stretching big” again. Taking all these risks at face value is dangerous enough, but when you’re sacrificing a two-time All-Star — who just signed the biggest contract in franchise history, no less — and your best prospect in the process, this pill becomes far more difficult to swallow.

For that reason, I wouldn’t be surprised if Chicago and LA at least discuss a potential trade, but I doubt anything will ever come of it. Even at this relatively fair price point, both teams stand to lose too much if things go awry, and I doubt either team’s general manager is looking to possibly lose their job by botching these negotiations.

Verdict: Both teams eventually come to terms that this is the fairest deal they can offer each other, but each side is ultimately too nervous to dive in on it. No deal.