3 Cheap Trade Targets That Will Save Bulls’ Season
At this rate, the Chicago Bulls won’t even be contending for a play-in spot, let alone the Larry O’Brien NBA Championship trophy. On pace for a record in the neighborhood of 35-47, the Bulls are in trouble and need to find a solution fast. Three-point shooting and defense have been the demise of Chicago this season. Three cheap options around the league will instantly improve the roster and resolve their most significant issues.
1. Matisse Thybulle
With the lackluster defensive effort thus far from the Bulls, a player like Matisse Thybulle would be a great addition. He would be almost free of charge, and at the risk-to-reward ratio, he’s worth the flyer. The former Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and back-to-back NBA All-Defensive Second Team member would lead the Bulls in steals and blocks based on last year’s statistics and immediately be one of their best perimeter defenders. If head coach Billy Donovan can stagger minutes alongside the weaker defenders Zach Lavine and Demar DeRozan, Thybulle would seamlessly provide stability to the defensive side of the ball. Standing at 6’6″, his combination of size and length disrupts opposing offenses and allows for flexibility in guarding multiple positions.
Acquiring Thybulle would be relatively easy, considering the guard has only appeared in 18 games for the Philadelphia 76ers and has only averaged 11 minutes in each game this year. After starting 50 games a season ago, he’s been replaced by PJ Tucker, De’Anthony Melton, Furkan Korkmaz, and Danuel House Jr., all getting more playing time in the 2022-23′ season. Whether it be veteran bench piece Derrick Jones Jr., a young bench sniper Coby White, or draft capital, the Bulls should cast a line to bring in a player who’s only 25 with plenty of future upsides combined with an immediate defensive presence.
2. Jakob Poeltl
The 7’1″ Spurs center would solidify an inside presence and bring stability to both sides of the court in the paint. Averaging nearly a 20% higher field goal percentage than Nikola Vucevic, Poeltl is a pure inside center with as many blocks per game last season as Vucevic’s previous two seasons combined. At only 27 years old, Poeltl is playing for a future contract, as his is set to expire following this season. His career highs in points, rebounds, and assists this year would suggest he’s well aware of that.
“I’m aware of the possibility, but it doesn’t affect my mindset during this season,” Poeltl said. “It’s a possibility at all times in the NBA. Sometimes there’s more trade rumors, sometimes there’s less.”
Reported by Mike Finger of the San Antonio Express-News
With the Spurs being in full re-build mode, they are almost certainly willing to deal nearly anyone in exchange for young talent or draft capital, and the Bulls should pounce on the opportunity. An exchange of 22-year-old Coby White for Poeltl is a cheap price tag to re-vamp Chicago’s inside presence and would give White a new chance to develop on a San Antonio team far removed from winning expectations.
3. Jae Crowder
The journeyman veteran wing has been the center of trade buzz for seemingly every year of his career, and his next stop should be the Windy City. With his size, strength, experience, and hard-nosed demeanor, he would bring a rugged and reliable wing addition that Bulls fans have hoped Patrick Williams would be. Averaging nearly 10 points per game over his career and shooting over 38% from three-point territory in two of his last three seasons, Crowder would be a stable addition on offense. With 107 playoff games under his belt, including appearances in the Conference Finals and the Finals, he would also provide veteran leadership that Chicago lacks.
The 32-year-old former Marquette forward also comes at a discounted price. Currently sitting out amid his trade request, Crowder would only cost the Bulls 22-year-old Coby White or any piece that the Phoenix Suns could see contributing to a championship roster. Crowder has yet to play a game in the 2022-23′ season, and the Suns have named their price being anything they can see helping them “win now”. A swap of White or Derrick Jones Jr. for Crowder could provide a depth piece for the contending Suns and help the Bulls sure up their weak defensive frontcourt.
The Chicago Bulls should pick up the phone and get each of these cheap options on the fast track to town. After adding these three, the Bulls would sure up the defensive woes, add an inside scoring presence where they currently rank 24th in the NBA in paint scoring, and bring some youth potential alongside veteran leadership. Making these acquisitions might be the only thing that can save their season and re-route a lottery-pick-bound campaign to a deep playoff push.