Grade the Trade: Bulls move up in the draft to select the next Derrick Rose

The final piece of the trade, and potentially the most important, is that number 3 overall pick. The Chicago Bulls, if they make this trade, would likely have two options here. The three top prospects in this draft are Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, and Brandon Miller.

The consensus is that Wembanyama is going to be drafted first overall by the San Antonio Spurs, and the Bulls would likely choose the prospect that the Charlotte Hornets do not select at #2. According to current mock drafts, this would mean that the Bulls would receive Scoot Henderson, point guard for the G League Ignite.

The Hornets would likely pass on Henderson as they have a set backcourt in LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier, but are missing a young small forward with potential, which Brandon Miller would solve.

The Chicago Bulls can get one of the best point guard prospects in recent memory with the 3rd pick.

If Scoot Henderson falls to number three, that would be the ideal scenario for the Bulls as he would give Chicago the point guard they have been searching for. Henderson has drawn comparisons to Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook due to his explosive speed and impressive dunk and layup package.

Henderson was outstanding in the G League, averaging 16.5 points and 6.5 assists per game.  He showed his ability as a playmaker as well as his impressive basketball IQ, which is significantly better than what is expected of a 19-year-old.  Additionally, he has great potential on the defensive end, as he has solid instincts and tremendous athleticism that enable him to make plays. He tends to be overzealous on defense, however, as he overcommits and fouls more than he should, which will improve with time.

Seemingly the only weakness that Henderson has is his three-point shot, which he made less than 30% of the time in the G League. One encouraging note is that Scoot has an excellent midrange jumper, which gives optimism that he can still develop that deeper shot as time goes on. He is still young and just came out of high school, so the NBA distance is an adjustment that he is going to have to make. However, projections are stating that he will be a perennial all-star.

If the Bulls are able to make this trade and get Scoot Henderson, their starting lineup would definitely be something interesting and could have some excellent upside:

• PG: Scoot Henderson
• SG: Anfernee Simons
• SF: Zach LaVine
• PF: Patrick Williams
• C: Jusuf Nurkic

This would be a solid starting lineup with tons of potential, as it features three players below the age of 25 with its oldest player being Jusuf Nurkic, who will be 29 at the beginning of the season. The Bulls will also have some excellent young pieces in Coby White and Dalen Terry, the latter of which may actually be able to get more minutes and develop this year.

If the Chicago Bulls are able to make this trade, they will show that they are moving in a younger direction and have a bright future. The Bulls may be able to develop into a strong contending team before Zach LaVine’s current contract expires. This offseason, they may also need to get a power forward with size, but this trade would solve several issues that the team is currently facing. This is a potential win-win trade that can set the Bulls and the Blazers on a beneficial path. The Bulls may be giving up their best defender and a star, but it could move Chicago out of the purgatory that they are currently in.

Grade: A-