As we saw last season, Daniel Theis is part of a buzzer-beating deadline trade.
The former-Bull is headed back to Boston – where he played the first three seasons of his career – in exchange for point guard Dennis Schroder and big men Enes Freedom and Bruno Fernando. The Rockets will reportedly waive Freedom in the process.
Houston gets Enes Freedom and Bruno Fernando in the deal too, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 10, 2022
Theis will join former-Spur Derrick White on a Celtics team that has surged up the standings in recent weeks. Thanks to a newfound commitment on the defensive end, Boston has won six straight and eight of their last nine games to move into the East’s 7th spot. Bulls fans know well the energy and effort Theis can bring to both ends of the floor. He has the frame to play both frontcourt positions and switch onto smaller wings. He only appeared in 26 games for the rebuilding Rockets this offseason, and the Celtics will add him back to the roster in his first season of a fresh four-year, $36 million deal.
Schroder was frequently connected to the Bulls this offseason, as well as a number of other teams. I’m surprised he didn’t end up in a contending situation, but I suspect he will find his name in plenty of rumors again as he heads toward unrestricted free agency this summer.
As the Celtics add a big man and Schroder goes elsewhere, it really underscores just how quiet the Chicago Bulls stayed at this season’s deadline. The team is clearly bought into the roster they have – and for good reason – but a lot of teams in the conference got better today, which is always a scary thought.