The Chicago Bulls feel like they have broken through this season into true playoff contention, driven in large part by the ascension of Josh Giddey. Should they make a blockbuster trade to add another star -- and is this 3-team trade to bring Anthony Davis to town the right answer?
Anthony Davis is the greatest player to come out of the Chicago area since Dwyane Wade, and if he had better health he may have been the best of all time. Bringing his career full-circle by trading for Davis has to be a tantalizing proposition for the Bulls' organization.
They have been running and gunning to start the season and not every opponent can keep up. Giddey has been incredible, carrying over his end-of-season stretch last year into the start of this year. Matas Buzelis has level up in his second season, Nikola Vucevic cannot miss, and multiple role players are filling their lanes well.
Yet they don't have a defensive anchor in sight, and they are frequently overwhelmed in the paint. Vucevic, Patrick Williams and Buzelis are not a stone wall in front of the basket. In looking for the perfect veteran star to pair with Giddey, is Anthony Davis the answer?
One of the league's premier defenders because of his combination of size in the paint and mobility, Davis is a five-time All-Defense selection and has the rare ability to evelate his defensive impact in the playoffs. He would revolutionize Chicago's defense and provide backline support for the likes of Giddey on the perimeter.
On offense he also doubles as an exceptional play finisher, occasionally popping out into a jumper but most often running hard to the rim. He can finish lobs, make the right play in the short roll and has exquisite touch around the rim. He would be a marvelous pick-and-roll partner with Giddey.
Building an Anthony Davis trade
What would a trade look like? Most likely, the Mavericks will not want to take back the collection of matching salaries and draft picks the Bulls would offer. That requires a third team to enter the fray.
LaMelo Ball hitting the rumor mill provides such an opportunity. The Mavericks may not want flotsam and picks back, but a young former All-Star who pairs well with Coopeer Flagg and Dereck Lively II is a compelling option. If the Bulls can pair the three teams together, a deal could be put together.
Here is one way that deal could be built:
The Mavericks add LaMelo Ball and former Dallas first-round pick Josh Green. They save a bit of money to give them some breathing room under the second apron and add a pair of young players to their roster. The Bulls get Anthony Davis, with Mason Plumlee thrown in to make the contracts work.
The Bulls then send a package to the Hornets that is built more on draft picks than players. Rather than include someone like Noa Essengue, and in contrast to paying the Hornets to take on the contract of someone like Patrick Williams, this deal stacks up some contracts and adds two firsts.
Coby White is the player centerpiece to replace Ball in Charlotte, while Kevin Huerter is a fine player on an expiring deal, and Zach Collins is at least on an expiring. Jalen Smith is the final salary needed, whose role in Chicago would disappear with Davis and Vucevic manning the center position.
Assuming both Dallas and Charlotte would make this trade, does it make sense for the Bulls?
Grade the Trade: Do Bulls make this deal?
The Chicago Bulls have not demonstrated much ability to accurately evaluate their own standing relative to the rest of the league. Asking whether they should push in their draft capital for a win-now move is different than whether they will.
Josh Giddey has taken a real leap this season, and Buzelis is continuing to develop. They have some real pieces on the roster that could be a part of a winning team.Yet after a 5-0 start they are just 3-7 since, and they have a -2.4 net rating on the season. Breakout team ready to take the next step, or delusional play-in squad that needs to play for the future?
The answer is murky and trading for an injury-prone 32 year old big is likely not the action step. That being said, if the organization does think a big swing is warranted, the cost on Davis is not so high that they couldn't also pursue another star on the market or in free agency next summer.
Is this good value for Davis? This may be what is necessary to unlock a deal, but it's probably too much to spend on Davis given his injury issues. Coby White is a legitimately good guard right on the line between starter and 6th man, while Huerter has value to teams as an expiring deal. Two first-round picks on top of White is a lot to pay; add on the hit to their cap space next summer and it becomes even more costly.
That being said, Davis is incredible when he is healthy, and the Bulls haven't had a player of his caliber since Derrick Rose was healthy. He would revolutionize their defense. Does that make it worth the price?
The answer is no, most likely. Taking this swing would be understandable, but it isn't turning them into a contender, and it's likely to end poorly. A 3-team deal is likely the right way to go to get Davis, but going after him -- Chicago ties or no -- is probably a bad idea.
Grade: C-