Trade Season Starts Early, Derrick Jones Jr., Game 6, and Other Bulls Bullets

The temperature outside recently has been almost as hot as me, right?

  • The Mavericks and Rockets decided to start the offseason fun a little early last night. Dallas acquired 26-year-old big man Christian Wood in exchange for their No. 26 first-round pick and a pile of borderline rotation players. For the rebuilding Houston Rockets, while opening up a little more breathing room, it mainly got rid of a starter who would have eaten into playing time for their incoming No. 3-overall pick.
  • Still, I was left somewhat surprised by the seemingly inexpensive price tag for Wood. Not only can he theoretically slide into either frontcourt position, but he’s shown increasing signs of improvement in the past few years. Last season, he averaged 17.9 points per game with a career-high 10.1 rebounds. He also shot by far the best he’s ever had behind the arc, knocking down 39.0 percent of his 3-pointers on 4.9 attempts per game. Wood should fit in effortlessly alongside Luka Doncic as a big who can run pick-and-roll almost as well as he can space the floor. And, I don’t know, I guess I just thought that skill set would be a hotter commodity around the league.
  • With that said, Houston probably didn’t want to take on any future salary, and I’m not sure how many teams could have offered that many expendable players in return. The No. 26 pick also feels like a decent grab in a draft that projects to be pretty darn deep (Houston now owns No. 3, No. 17, and No. 26). We too shouldn’t forget that Wood is on an expiring deal. If he puts together a strong campaign for a winning team, you can bet your pants retaining him will not come cheap.
  • So does this trade mean anything for the Bulls? Eh, now directly. Dallas was mentioned early on as a potential suitor for Zach LaVine, and I guess this move could suggest they aren’t planning to go that direction anymore. However, Wood’s $14.0mil salary technically doesn’t mean they can’t still pursue LaVine via sign-and-trade (which would have been the only way for them to add LaVine in the first place). But, regardless, I never viewed Dallas as a legitimate landing spot for the Bulls’ All-Star.
  • The Rockets now have far too many players on their roster to keep around, which means a handful will either hit waivers or end up in another trade. As I said, all have basically been borderline rotation guys in recent years, so I don’t see the Bulls jumping at the opportunity to add anyone. Sterling Brown – a smart player with catch-and-shoot potential and a physical frame – could possibly be the most worthwhile gamble. But, hey, if the Bulls are just looking for #Goodvibes, Boban Marjanovic is sitting right there!
  • If the Bulls had to take anything away from this unexpected trade, it could be that the market is simply ready to get moving. While this may not be the biggest deal, Wood is certainly a key edition for a competitive Mavericks team, and that’s all it can take for other teams to ramp up their own team-building process. So if the rumors start to heat up even more in the coming days (especially with the draft around the corner), I will not be surprised.
  • The Athletic’s John Hollinger has Derrick Jones Jr. as the 7th-best power forward on the free-agent market.
  • I’ve gone on the record saying that I would like to see Derrick Jones Jr. remain in a Bulls uniform. Not only does he still possess some intriguing upside at only 25 years old, but he seems to fit really well with the identity this team is trying to create. He is an athletic freak who is money in transition and can guard multiple positions. I thought Jones also showed some nice flashes as a lob threat roll man this season. Unfortunately, though, I’m not sure potential will be enough for Arturas Karnisovas and Co. to keep him aboard, especially because I envision another team gambling on that potential with a better contract offer.
  • I decided to try a different format for this offseason’s draft profiles. My goal is only to get better at providing more concise and informative evaluations, so I hope it reads as interesting as it was to write.
  • Oof.
  • I can’t believe the number of times I’ve gone back and forth during these NBA Finals. The Celtics have undoubtedly looked like the better team at times, but they can’t seem to do it for more than a couple of quarters. As for Golden State, while the championship pedigree is common knowledge, there is no denying this team is far more vulnerable than the ones that have come before. So, yeah, I truly have no idea what is going to happen tonight.
  • Another day … another anniversary:
  • wesuckagain.gif
  • written by

    Elias Schuster is the Lead Chicago Bulls writer at Bleacher Nation. He started with BN full-time in 2019 immediately after graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign with a degree in Journalism (yes, he started with the Jim Boylen Era). Since joining, Elias has been the driving force behind Bulls and NBA content for both the site and social accounts. You can follow him on Twitter/X @Schuster_Elias.

    more bulls news

    Enhanced Box Score: Bulls 125, Pacers 99 – March 27, 2024

    I got to be honest, I'm even more upset about the Washington Wizards' loss. If the Chicago Bulls played like they did tonight, they would have beaten that depleted Wizards team by 40. This was a locked-in group from the...

    Javonte Green Makes Bulls Return… Immediately Does Awesome Stuff

    Javonte Green has officially made his Chicago Bulls debut ... again. The 30-year-old signed with the organization via a 10-day hardship deal on March 22. Injuries to Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams, and Julian Phillips paved the way for...

    WATCH: Alex Caruso Snatches Rookie Ben Sheppard’s Ankles

    Alex Caruso will always be known for his defense capabilities, but he's showing a lot more than that this season. The veteran guard is averaging double-digit points for the first time in his career. A big part of that has...

    Draymond Green Ejected Less Than 4 Minutes Into Game Against Orlando

    Draymond Green was at it again on Wednesday night. Out East to take on the Orlando Magic, the Golden State Warriors watched Paolo Banchero bulldoze Andrew Wiggins to the rim early in the first quarter. As Banchero high-fived his teammates...

    Pre-Gamin’: Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls (7:00 CT), Projected Lineups, How to Watch, More

    Everything was awful on Tuesday. Be Better. https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1772971933161705610?s=20 Game Info Indiana Pacers (41-32) at Chicago Bulls (34-38) – 7:00 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Chicago (TV) and 670 The Score (Radio) Projected Starting Lineups Chicago Bulls Coby White Alex Caruso Ayo Dosunmu...

    Around the Association: Caitlin Clark Gets Big(3) Offer, Knicks Getting Help, Lakers OT Thriller, More

    It's hard to believe we have less than three weeks remaining in the NBA's regular season, and we should be in for some real drama down the stretch. The Knicks have plenty to play for in their remaining 11 games...

    WHOA: NCAA Looking to Ban Prop Betting on All College Athletes

    As the NCAA men's basketball tournament gears up for the Sweet Sixteen, the college sports world received some big news. On Wednesday morning, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that NCAA president Charlie Baker wants to officially ban prop betting on college...

    NBA Playoffs Update: Several Races Are Still Undecided

    The NBA season is winding down. We have some awesome races for the NBA Playoffs to keep an eye on in the final 2+ weeks of the season. The top seed in the West is still up for grabs in...

    Alex Caruso’s Status in Question for Matchup with Pacers

    The Chicago Bulls might be without their best defensive player against the best offensive team in the NBA. Not great! The latest injury report lists Alex Caruso as "questionable" for Wednesday night's meeting with the Indiana Pacers. Caruso has been...

    Needing a Win, One More with the Pacers, Alex Caruso Guards Everyone, and Other Bulls Bullets

    *scratches long, disheveled beard and grabs a piece of chalk* *crosses out another game on the cave wall* *sits back on ground, grabs knees, rocks back and forth* Nine more games. Nine more games. Nine more games. Look, I want...

    Latest News

    Los Angeles Chargers Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

    The Los Angeles Chargers enter the offseason with a new era dawning. After a disappointing season, they landed a marquee hire in Jim Harbaugh, fresh off his national championship win with Michigan. Hailed as the top coaching prospect, Harbaugh brings a...

    Cubs vs Rangers: The First Series of the Year!

    Cubs vs Rangers — THE REGULAR SEASON IS HERE! Wake up and rejoice. Later tonight, the Cubs will begin their march toward October Baseball against the (reigning World Series champion) Texas Rangers in Arlington. Justin Steele is getting the nod...

    Rangers vs. Cubs Probable Starting Pitchers – March 28

    The Texas Rangers (0-0) and the Chicago Cubs (0-0) square off on Thursday at Globe Life Field for Opening Day. First pitch is at 7:35 PM ET.The Rangers will call on Nathan Eovaldi against the Cubs and Justin Steele.Rangers vs....

    Best NBA Prop Bets Today – March 28, 2024

    The Boston Celtics and the Atlanta Hawks take the court for one of two exciting matchups on the NBA slate today.Looking for NBA player prop bets for today's games? This article includes NBA player props for every matchup, so take...

    UNC vs Alabama Predictions and Odds: March Madness Best Bets

    We have a great matchup in the Sweet 16 between (1) North Carolina and (4) Alabama. Let's break down the odds, ATS records, and more for UNC vs Alabama as March Madness continues. Read More: Today's schedule and upset picks...

    Seattle Seahawks Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

    The Seattle Seahawks turn the page on a historic era as they enter the 2024 season without Pete Carroll at the helm for the first time since 2010. Carroll's impact on the franchise is undeniable, crafting a period of sustained...

    Who Is In The Sweet 16? Updated Bracket, Odds to Win, and More

    It has been a great March Madness so far and we have more great matchups in the Sweet 16. Check out what teams are in the Sweet 16, odds, and more as the college basketball season rolls on. Latest March...

    Today’s March Madness Schedule: Updated Bracket, TV Channels for Every Game

    The Sweet 16 is here as March Madness brings us some great matchups tonight! Check out today's March Madness schedule along with game times, TV channels, and more as the college basketball season's biggest games continue. The Sweet 16 Begins...

    2024 MLB Mock Draft: Opening Day Mock Draft Projections

    Happy Opening Day! As the new baseball season begins, and hope is present among most fanbases, why not take a look at a new 2024 MLB Mock Draft? Various mock drafts meticulously analyze potential picks, emphasizing the abundance of talent...

    WAKE UP, BASEBALL IS BACK

    The day has arrived. Opening Day. The most glorious day on the baseball calendar, save for the day of each Chicago Cubs World Series win, of course. See, I get to say things like that on Opening Day. Maybe the...

    more bulls news