Bulls boost shooting and youth in proposed trade with the Grizzlies

Why the Chicago Bulls say no 

Yes, the Bulls would get off Vucevic’s final year, but given he is making $21 million, that’s not a huge deal. He provides production at that cost and it isn’t the worst deal in the league (or even on the Bulls). 

They also get a shooter and a young player, but is this really the best Chicago could do for Vucevic? Kennard is one of the best 3-point shooters in the league, but he’s a traffic cone on defense (the Bulls already need defensive help on the perimeter) and is always hurt. 

Kennard has led the league in 3-point percentage twice and is always among the league leaders, but he’s played 59 and 39 games in the last two seasons, respectively. 

Williams has the physical tools, but he’s not shown he can shoot and only managed to play 150 games combined in the last three seasons even though the Grizzlies have had tons of injuries at the position. 

This would also leave the Bulls with a glaring hole at center that they would have to fill with limited options in free agency. If they could steal a guy like Nic Claxton or Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency, this might make sense, but otherwise they will likely be downgrading and doing it for little other than some future cap space. 

I’d keep shopping if I were the Bulls, as there are teams that need a center that might be willing to give more.