Chicago Bulls/Anthony Davis trade looks good for Pelicans in 3 years
The New Orleans Pelicans are trading away a star. The Chicago Bulls have several players that would fit the Zion timeline and have room to grow along with the Pelicans’ new star.
Chicago was able to accumulate plenty of young talents when they traded away Jimmy Butler. Those same players could be included in any attempt to acquire Anthony Davis. Several of these players are more than capable of making a big developmental leap.
Zach LaVine (24) might best talent fit for salary matching purposes. LaVine is due to make $19,500,000 every year for the next three years, becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2022. His fit with Holiday would test the coaching staff’s creativity, but that process could give the Pelicans a formidable back court.
LaVine shot 37% from deep last season, and has proven to be a prolific dunker when finishing drives. LaVine has All-Star potential on the edges of his still mostly raw approach to the game. LaVine averaged 4.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists last season, with plenty of room for improvement in the New Orleans Pelicans’ system.
New Orleans could ask for LaVine and Porter Jr., but would need to include a couple extra players or find a third team for the trade. At least two of E’Twaun Moore, Solomon Hill, Frank Jackson, and Cheick Diallo would have to be sent out to fit both LaVine and Porter Jr.
Lauri Markkanen (22) is the gem of any Bulls trade offer. The Chicago Bulls offer is not worth considering without Markkanen included. He is due $5,300,400 next season followed by a team option $6,731,508. Even if he commands the max in restricted free agency, New Orleans would be getting a bargain.
The seven footer from Finland is already hitting 36% from three point range. His free throw average of 82% is highly encouraging. He grabs nine boards a game, and is good for a couple of assists in Alvin Gentry’s system. As he grows more comfortable seeing the game, he could become the next Nikola Jokic.
Markkanen is quite possibly the best young big to pair with Zion. Jokic and Deandre Ayton could be argued, but those players are not available in a trade. Regarding all trade packages, Markkanen still compares well to other targets.
Jayson Tatum operates in the wing spaces as Zion and has too much Mamba Mentality to keep the ball moving. Brandon Ingram has health worries along with overlapping skill sets with Zion. A trade that nets Markkanen Could also bring the Pelicans some guard depth, in theory.
Kris Dunn (25) will make $5,348,007 before hitting restricted free agency. Dunn will not get a max contract, but could be the young point guard that fits with both Jrue Holiday‘s game and Zion’s contention window. Dunn has the lowest star potential ceiling but has proven a capable NBA starter on a mid-level team.
Wendell Carter Jr. (20) would be surplus to the Chicago Bulls’ requirements at power forward, should they acquire Anthony Davis. The first round product from Duke would be welcomed into the New Orleans Pelicans’ locker room by other former Duke stars. Carter Jr. would play out his rookie contract costing the Pelicans $5,201,400 next year. The following two years would be rolling club options for $5,448,840 then $6,920,027.