Bulls boost shooting and youth in proposed trade with the Grizzlies

Chicago Bulls trade Nikola Vucevic to the Memphis Grizzlies for Luke Kennard and Ziaire Williams 

In a recent article in Bleacher Report, Andy Bailey threw out some trade ideas, including this one, which sends Vucevic to Memphis in exchange for Luke Kennard and Ziaire Williams. 

The Grizzlies would first have to opt into the team options they have on Kennard ($14 million) and Williams ($6.1 million) before this could be completed. 

In this trade, the Bulls get a proven shooter, which they need as a team that was near the bottom of the NBA in 3-point percentage and 3-point shots made. 

They also get to take a flyer on a project wing in Ziaire Williams, who is only 22, and has flashed signs of two-way talent as a 6-foot-9 forward who can play either spot. The Bulls also get out from the final year of Vucevic’s contract, as both Kennard and Williams would be on expiring deals, thus clearing some future cap space. 

On paper, this trade helps the Bulls, as they improve their shooting and get a prospect to try and develop. It also helps the Grizzlies, who can move Jaren Jackson Jr. back to power forward and theoretically add more spacing around Ja Morant. 

But this trade is also problematic, especially from the point of view of the Bulls.