The Bulls didn’t move Butler after much speculation regarding a possible move to the Boston Celtics. Not only did the Bulls end up trading away two veterans-one of which they’re now out five draft picks for-for a rather nondescript cast, but they also had to trade away one of their own draft picks to accomplish it.
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Chicago Bulls power forward Taj Gibson is on the Oklahoma City Thunder’s list of potential targets ahead of the NBA’s trade deadline on Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.
The Bulls traded up to snag McDermott in the lottery of the 2014 National Basketball Association draft and is the team’s best 3-point shooter. McDermott is shooting.445 from the field, .376 from long range and.881 at the line. Morrow, primarily a 3-point shooter, lost playing time to rookie Alex Abrines this season. From the time I heard my name called by David Stern, I have been so proud and honored to be a Chicago Bull. From the history of the front office it may get worse. The Bulls were one key piece away from being a legitimate playoff contender.
McDermott is the second former Bluejay to be traded this season.
Payne has only played 1,018 career minutes, so his future is far from determined. His 0.3 nERD ranks 122nd out of the league’s 463 players as well as fourth among Bulls players this season.
The only problem is he hasn’t been able to do either of these things.
The 31-year-old Morrow, known throughout his career for his shooting ability, is shooting an abysmal 29 percent from three this season.
As for the Bulls, they must be one of the rare teams that has high expectations for Payne, presently Chicago’s millionth guard who can’t shoot.
Thunder newcomer Taj Gibson is a willing banger who’s not afraid to mix it up inside. He and Steven Adams are going to be a fron tcourt no offense will want to deal with in the playoffs. I enjoyed my break.
Thunder GM Sam Presti always makes smart trades and this one is no different. “Everybody operates differently. Everybody’s got different personnel, different players”. He plays really hard, and is a team-oriented player who can move the ball around, but he’s not a rim protector or a good rebounder for his size because of his lack of length. You will be missed by Bulls fans and media.
Gibson and the second-rounder for Morrow, Payne and Lauvergne is the first micro-trade.
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The 22-year-old Noel was the sixth overall pick in the 2013 draft. Considering the Bulls arguably gave up the two best players in the trade, it seems odd that they had to add a pick as well.
