Originally Posted by
CDu
The trade is an acknowledgement of moving on from the Thibsbulls (i.e., Rose), while hoping to get a player on the rise (Grant). I think we'll also see a trade of Gibson as well, with Lopez assuming the interior defender role and allowing Mirotic and Portis to be the offensive-minded bigs.
Rose was a big contract who unfortunately has been below replacement level for the last couple of years, and wasn't a good fit with Butler (neither can shoot well and both are ball-dominant guards). So the team is committing to building around Butler. If Grant turns out not to be of value, then, yeah it is a "meh" move. And if the Bulls hang on to Gibson and let him walk in free agency, then this move still looks weird. But Lopez will essentially replace what Noah/Gibson provide (at a reasonable price) and you cede the team to Butler moving forward (instead of having the awkward Rose/Noah faction and Butler faction).
Honestly, there wasn't much the Bulls could do to move the needle. This was about the best they could get. The Knicks will hope that Rose can rebound to old form, and if so they win the deal. The Bulls hope that Grant will emerge with opportunity, and if so they can win the deal.
Excellent trade by the Bulls. Rose has <1% of gaining his elite athleticism back, and that is what made him great. Without it, he's a poor shooting, mediocre playmaking PG. Not exactly the kind of PG you want on your team.
As for the Knicks, well, I don't know what to say. Seems like they have cap space and said, "We need to pay luxury tax next year. How do we do that while killing our cap?"
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President of the "Nolan Smith Should Have His Jersey in The Rafters" Club