The Chicago Bulls have been subject to trade rumors galore halfway through the season as they’ve failed to meet expectations in the second-year for this version of their core.
Among the trade rumors, everyone from their Big 3 in DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic to role players like Alex Caruso, Ayo Dosunmu, Coby White, and Andre Drummond have been speculated as potential trade targets for contending teams around the league.
On Monday, Dan Favale of Bleacher Report proposed a deal in his trade deadline guide for the Bulls that would send Caruso to a contending team in the Western Conference.
Bulls receive: Bones Hyland & Christian Braun
Nuggets receive: Alex Caruso & Javonte Green
Favale explains:
Hyland doesn’t make a ton of sense on a team with DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine (and Goran Dragić), but if the Bulls are moving their defensive stalwart, you have to imagine they’re contemplating bigger-picture angles. And Hyland certainly fits that motif. He is a live wire off the bounce who can convert contortionist finishes and torch twine from beyond the arc, as both a self-creator and spot-up threat. His decision-making and attempts inside the arc can be erratic, and there will be moments in which his shot selection is detrimental. Still, the multi-level scoring and passing upside is omnipresent.
Braun has not been a regular member of the Nuggets’ rotation, but he’s handled some heavier-minute cameos and hinted at oodles of defensive toughness on the wings. If he gets more confident in his shot—and hits the smattering of free throws he sees—he’ll consistently leave his dent on a good team.
Chicago might want two “true” first-rounders. But, like, this comes pretty close. It might even be better. Braun has three years left on his rookie scale, and Hyland is a semi-known, completely tantalizing talent with two cost-controlled seasons left on his pact. The Bulls can see if Phoenix will pitch in a first-rounder to get Bones. Betting on the intrigue of two first-round prospects less than halfway into their first deals with actual NBA samples seems smarter—infinitely so if this trade doesn’t portend the departure of other veterans.
As Favale said, Hyland would make sense for the Bulls if they’re hitting the reset button. Adding another ball dominant, shot-heavy guard alongside DeRozan and LaVine would just cause a conundrum on offense.
If Chicago isn’t making the playoffs, holding onto a player like Caruso is wasting is skillset to help a contending team and leaving you short future assets in return.
But, if the Bulls truly become sellers, taking fliers on Hyland’s growth with the ball in his hands and a player like Braun, who seems to have infinite effort and makes winning plays like Green does, adds another young, talented wing for a rebuild.
It’s certainly a deal to ponder if brought to your doorstep for the Bulls, but if you want two “true” first-rounders as Favale noted, it sounds like at least a counter offer would be made by Chicago before considering the trade.
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