As I get pumped about my first trip to Summer League this July, I keep trying to convince myself the Bulls will give me a super exciting prospect to watch while I’m there. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see Dalen Terry start off Year 2, but I’d love even more to see a new face dominating the competition. Unfortunately, however, the Bulls would have to make a big move on draft night for me to get my wish. And the chance of that happening still feels painfully low.
We’ve talked about Chicago as a potential trade partner for the Portland Trail Blazers at length. I really do think a trade of Zach LaVine and Portland’s original lottery-protected first-round pick (which is worth even more to the Blazers now since it has heavily restricted their ability to trade future draft capital) could be a worthwhile return for the No. 3 pick and another young asset. However, I’d only want to do this deal if potential franchise guard Scoot Henderson was available in that spot. But it also doesn’t even matter what I want because whether Portland would do the deal in the first place is up for debate.
Indeed, I feel like this trade idea has been thrown around far too easily at times. Not only is it assuming the Bulls are ready to begin a rebuild (which is the opposite of their stance publically), but it assumes Portland views LaVine as a key piece to a winning puzzle. The Trail Blazers have already tried the offensive-minded backcourt experiment with Lillard and McCollum. While I do think a LaVine-Lillard combo could potentially net better results at times, would they really find it to be the backbone of a championship team? I highly doubt it – unless they turn their other young players and draft picks into another star.
None of this is to say I think the Trail Blazers would not entertain a discussion with Chicago, but I’m guessing it isn’t their first, second, third, or maybe even fourth favorite discussion. My guess is they’ll either aim higher for another disgruntled star that emerges (i.e. Jaylen Brown) or look for somebody that fits a better two-way mold. As we said, they’ve tried the “kill ’em with scoring” approach, so a name like Toronto’s Pascal Siakam or OG Anunoby could make some sense. Overall, I’m just assuming LaVine isn’t at the top of their board right now. The good news for the Bulls, though, is that all it takes is a few trade targets to fall through for their hypothetical offer to look that much better.
Last thing on this for now: I’ve also seen people suggest that DeMar DeRozan could be the player used to net the No. 3 pick. While I don’t think he would be a horrible get for Portland, I just don’t see any way that LaVine isn’t the player the Trail Blazers pursue if the two sides begin talks. DeRozan is up for a lengthy contract extension this summer. Also, as good as he’s been these past two years, he has five years on LaVine. The Bulls can likely get a very solid return for him if they wanted to, but it wouldn’t be as solid as the Portland pick.
TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT! After falling down into a 3-0 hole, the Boston Celtics have heroically stormed back to force a Game 7 on their home floor. If the Miami Heat win, it will be their second trip to the NBA Finals in four seasons. If the Celtics pull it off, they’ll head back to the final series of the season for the second-straight year.
A year ago today: Celtics beat Heat in Game 7 to advance to the 2022 NBA Finals
Oh, and if the Celtics do happen to win tonight, they’ll also be the first team in NBA history to ever win a series after falling down 3-0. Teams have been 0-150 overall in these scenarios.
Also, I remember watching that Bulls-Bucks Game 4 live and being dumbfounded. Jerryd Bayless just made that backdoor look so dang easy, while Jared Dudley made an absolute heck of a pass. I just didn’t at all expect that perfect level of execution from either player. I was also equally as dumbfounded when the Bucks went on to steal one on the Bulls’ home floor in Game 5 … with Michael Carter-Williams as their leading scorer.
But, hey, we all know what happened next! Chicago crushed their hopes and dreams with one of the biggest blowouts the NBA postseason history in a 120-66 victory. The Bucks shot 32.9 percent and didn’t see a single-player score in double-digits. You can glance at that box score here.
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