The Orlando Magic are closing in on a second-apron crisis. They are about to be pressed up against it, and next summer, they’ll have to extend Anthony Black. The harsh reality of the situation is that they have too many top-end guys making too much money, and they haven’t had enough success to justify it. So, the Chicago Bulls should jump in and try to steal Paolo Banchero.
During a recent episode of The Third Apron podcast, CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn suggested that the Magic should trade Banchero now to avoid a Jaylen Brown-like value slide. The Boston Celtics traded Brown for what seemed to be pennies on the dollar because they didn’t want to have two guys taking up 70% of the cap.
Now, as the Magic inch closer and closer to some painful second-apron decisions, Quinn thinks they should trade Banchero. And if they do, the Bulls should be right there waiting.
Bulls should target Paolo Banchero in a trade
At this point in their rebuilding process, the Bulls should always keep an eye out for talent. They are in the process of forming a solid foundation, and adding pieces who can help them do that would be ideal.
Banchero is a star. He has his flaws, but his scoring prowess is undeniable. His ability to get downhill, collapse defenses, and create open shots for his teammates doesn’t come around often.
Obviously, the fit with the current Bulls group is less than ideal. They would have three players at the forward spots for only two positions, but they could work around that.
If Matas Buzelis were willing to slide down to the shooting guard spot (or, if he proves capable, the Bulls run Caleb Wilson as a small-ball five), Buzelis, Wilson, and Banchero could all share the court together.
The point is, Banchero is the type of young player who could be worth taking a swing on, even if the fit isn’t perfect. He makes that type of impact on the offensive side of the ball.
Banchero is the type of player who the Bulls should target regardless of how clean the fit would be. He’s a star. He would put butts in seats. He could help the Bulls take another leap with Wilson and Buzelis helping to lead the way.
If the price were right, the Bulls should go after Banchero. Well, they should go after him if the Magic were to make him available, which probably won’t be the case unless they’re in a rough spot at the deadline.
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