Without a doubt, NBA general managers always do their homework on other teams. Thought it doesn’t take a rival GM to see that the Bulls could still use some help.
They’ve struggled through some injuries, most notably to point guard Lonzo Ball, who hasn’t played since the middle of last season, sidelined by a knee issue. Shooting guard Zach LaVine also had some aches and pains to start the season.
But even when totally healthy, it seems as if the Bulls could use a boost, something that would help them take it up a notch or two, a rival Eastern Conference executive told Sean Deveney of Heavy.com.
The exec even went so far as to pitch some ideas.
“I don’t know if they would get another big guy, with (Andre Drummond) there, but finding a way to make a deal for Richaun Holmes in Sacramento might be a way to give them some rim protection,” the executive told Deveney. “The problem is, it is a tough fit with their salary structure, making the match, I don’t think you’d give up a Coby White for a guy riding pine in Sacramento.”
Ok, then what about some additional perimeter shooting?
“I think they’d do well with a volume 3-point shooter, a Buddy Hield or Luke Kennard or even Duncan Robinson, if they could figure out a way to make that deal. But again, the contracts are not really there for that kind of deal.”
Robinson might actually make the best sense, given that his best days with the Heat seem to be behind him. He may flourish in a new setting. Same goes for Holmes with the Kings.
But as the executive pointed out, this is all speculation, and in order to make a trade in today’s NBA, the dollars have to make sense.
For the Bulls or any team, figuring that out while moving the needle on the court tends to involve quite the process.
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