Does it make sense for the Chicago Bulls to trade veteran big man Andre Drummond to the Dallas Mavericks? The Mavs were one of several rumored teams to have an interest in swapping for the UConn alum, but not everyone thinks it is an especially plausible plan. Dallas does have a $4.9 million traded player exception they could take Drummond’s $3.3 million salary into if they need to, but otherwise lack salary to send back that would make sense for the Bulls.
On Tap Sports’ Morris Bankston notes this, writing that the “only player currently on the Mavericks roster who’s somewhat near … Drummond’s $3.3 million salary for this season is Dereck Lively II at $4.7 million.”
“Beyond lacking a clean salary-matching opportunity, Lively is also firmly entrenched in the Mavericks rotation,” notes the OTS analyst. Lively is a steal of a find for Dallas, so we also do not expect the Mavs to consider a swap for Drummond.
How much will Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine's injury hurt his future trade value? https://t.co/QbVReENRlJ pic.twitter.com/Q3aBnUpFYe
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But Dallas could send back Markieff Morris’ expiring deal or nothing at all if a trade focused mainly on the Mavs’ second rounders from the Miami Heat or Toronto Raptors if the deal were an asset play for Chicago.
They could also build it around the contract of Jaden Hardy, but we expect the Mavericks to turn that idea down. Drummond, if dealt, almost certainly ends up elsewhere, but we do think there’s at least an offer worthy of consideration to be had.
