Grade the Trade: Bulls add Jordan Poole in latest proposed deal

Would the Bulls make this trade for Poole?

Say what you want about the tough season and abysmal playoffs that Jordan Poole has had, but he earned the extension that he signed last summer, even if the Warriors didn’t need to sign him to it when they did. He was a killer in the playoffs last season en route to an NBA title, and at stretches, he has looked like a truly special offensive player.

The primary problem for Poole is on defense, where he is routinely cooked. The Bulls in making this trade would be giving up their best defender and another solid defensive forward for one of the league’s worst defenders. Poole gets his share of steals gambling but overall is among that Trae Young group of matador defenders.

Does the offensive boost make up for it? Perhaps. Poole can not only run the second unit but his shooting makes him a fine off-ball player too alongside Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan or both. Poole is, essentially, the player that Coby White never became. There aren’t many players in the league who can create their own shot and score as well as Poole, and in a different scheme, he could thrive.

Trading for Jordan Poole is risky; it could be an excellent buy-low move, or it could be an investment in a player who raises a team’s floor but does little to help its ceiling. There is one way to look at this deal as dealing two role players for a potential star; there are Williams and Carusos available on the free agent market, but there aren’t really Jordan Pooles.

It’s a difficult decision, with pros and cons. If the Warriors reach out, the Bulls have to at least consider such a deal. Add in his youth and the lengthy team control, and trading for Jordan Poole starts to make some sense. It’s not a perfect move, but it might just be worth thinking about.

Grade: B