The Chicago Bulls might have the chance to both move up in the draft and get a former All-Star with one bold trade. Various trade ideas are floating around after the NBA Draft Lottery determined the order. The Memphis Grizzlies getting the third pick and Chicago getting the fourth pick could see them making a move to help each other out with both of their respective goals. Ja Morant would get dealt as a contract dump and the trade picks would be exchanged.
Bleacher Report pitched the following trade package and logic:
“Chicago Bulls Receive: Ja Morant and the No. 3 pick
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Patrick Williams, Isaac Okoro, Rob Dillingham and the No. 4 pick
This deal has the Chicago Bulls receiving Ja Morant and moving up one spot in the draft. That’s how much of an albatross the Morant contract has become. The Memphis Grizzlies sliding down is essentially the cost of unloading Morant. But in this particular draft, that may not be a huge deal. Each of the top four players have the potential to be franchise cornerstones.”
The trade package would see the Bulls sending three young talents to Memphis and taking Morant’s big contract to free up their cap space. Grizzlies management must feel confident that moving down one pick is not going to make them look bad if they pick the wrong player here.
Why Chicago Bulls & Ja Morant Would Love This
Morant badly needs a fresh start after this season confirmed that the Grizzlies are over him. Both sides look ready to move on, but trade offers were terrible during the season. Morant’s value is still low to warrant a risky trade, and the Bulls may be able to take advantage of that.
Chicago would get the chance to draft a franchise player and add a new starting point guard. The Bulls roster sees Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey as their only core franchise players, with a forward likely getting selected regardless of it it’s the third or fourth overall pick.
Morant gets to contribute to an exciting young team ready to contend for a playoff spot and Chicago drastically improves the roster with one move. The core of Buzelis, Giddey, Morant, and likely Cameron Boozer in this scenario would provide the most excitement for the Bulls in many years.
Why The Grizzlies Would Welcome This Risk
No team offered an appealing trade package to Memphis when they shopped Morant at the deadline. Morant’s injury history and decline in three-point shooting makes him a risky name to add for teams hoping he returns to form.
The Grizzlies would risk taking a worse draft pick by moving Morant via this trade. Memphis must believe in Caleb Wilson as a prospect if they move down to likely select him instead of the more decorated Boozer.
Patrick Williams and Rob Dillingham would also give the Grizzlies two prospects to start their rebuild with a young roster. Memphis also received a lot of picks after trading Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson to make it easier to take a risk here. Getting rid of Morant’s contract allows them to put him in their past and no longer have to pay him $85 million over the next two seasons.
Bulls Linked To Trading For Ja Morant & Moving Up In NBA Draft