More relatable NBA news that involves Chicago? Hey, I'm all for it.
The NBA trade deadline is a day full of chaotic deals. You have contenders trading for valuable assets, bottom feeders trying desperately to acquire draft picks and shed contracts, and the Golden State Warriors kicking it back in Cali and watching the fireworks of this crazy day. Go figure.
In Chicago related news, the Washington Wizards have traded Otto Porter Jr to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Bobby Portis, Jabari Parker, and a 2023 2nd round pick. Washington has just lost point guard John Wall to a ruptured achilles, so the move is most likely one to free cap space and focus on a rebuild.
Honestly, I have mixed feelings about this trade. Chicago is currently sitting at a 12-40 record. The tank is REAL. So it's a captivating, but sort of gut wrenching deal.
Let's do pros and cons, shall we?
We got rid of Jabari Parker. He's been no help to the team, and merely was taking up cap space and a spot on the bench. A mere liability the Bulls no longer have to fret about.
Losing Bobby Portis is a bit of a good-bad thing. Portis was a solid rotational guy for the Bulls, who put up big numbers off a bench. A former 22nd overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Portis was one of the few good things about this team in recent years. The now former Bull was demanding a large extension, one that the front office did not want to match. Again, another salary issue that doesn't have to be dealt with.
Forking over a draft pick seemed unnecessary, but honestly this front office always disappoints. There needs to be serious changes. Anyway, back to the players.
Below are Porter Jr's stats for the 2018-2019 season
So ya, Porter comes in and helps revamp the Bulls lineup. Chicago has a critical weakness at small forward, so the opportunity for Porter to come in and immediately make an impact is there.
This trade did cost Chicago a lot. Porter signed a 4 year / $106,524,975 last year, making him a free agent in 2021, according to sportrac.com. That means this season, he is guaranteed $26,011,913. THATS A LOT OF MONEY. Remember, the Bulls are already paying Zach Lavine a 4 year / $78 million contract as well. Chicago won’t be able to attract any max contract free agents now, but I seriously doubted that was going to happen anyway.
What also concerns me is that we’re a tanking basketball team, hoping to get a high draft pick this year. Porter‘s addition could potentially win Chicago games they need to lose.
Hey, I don’t like losing. I do like those edits of Zion Williamson in a Bulls jersey though. Just saying.
Overall, I grade this trade a B-. Chicago adds a solid player who is getting paid a lot, but we shed some serious contracts and address a position we needed to fix. I’m excited to see Porter play, and since I couldnt get that Melo jersey, might as well see if I can get Porter’s.
Comentários