NEVER DOUBT ARTURAS KARNISOVAS!
The Bulls new front-office leader just pulled off the absolute shocker of the trade deadline (er so far). The Chicago Bulls have reportedly traded for two-time All-Star center Nikola Vucevic in exchange for Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter, and two first-round picks. The Bulls will also take on Al Farouq Aminu in the deal.
Vucevic, 30, is averaging 24.5 points (48.0 FG%, 40.6 3PT%), 11.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, and is signed through 2022-23 on a reasonable deal ($26M this year, $24M next year, $22M in the final year). He’s a stud.
The Bulls are sending the Magic 2021 and 2023 first-round picks in the deal, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 25, 2021
Guys, I literally don’t know what to do with my hands right now. This was the most pleasant blindside Bulls fans could have gotten, as they have found a real and truly valuable answer at the center position. More coming, including the details on the first round picks (protections?). Or maybe we’ll get sidetracked, because the Bulls are reportedly still looking to land Lonzo Ball after this deal(!)
UPDATE: Some early word on the 2021 pick – it’ll come with a bit of protection at the top of the lottery, just in case:
The Bulls sent Orlando two first-round picks (2021, 2023) — including top-4 protected this year, sources said. It will likely convey to Orlando. https://t.co/Y6P6wCndMM
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 25, 2021
UPDATE 2: Ditto 2023:
Confirmed: The 2023 first-round pick the Bulls will send to the Magic also is protected Nos. 1-4, per source.
Both picks are protected Nos. 1-4.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) March 25, 2021
Seems like a good time for a mini primer on how the lottery works.
Bulls got top 4 protections on the picks they sent out. Extremely relevant because you can only jump into the top 4 from your current slot. Here are the odds of where they'd be picking today, via @tankathon. pic.twitter.com/RhORln4EFd
— Steph Noh (@StephNoh) March 25, 2021