Fansided

Trade Breakdown: Thunder improve with addition of Gibson, McDermott

By Ananth Pandian

Jan 24, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) holds onto the basket post after being fouled during the second half at Amway Center. The Bulls won 100-92. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) holds onto the basket post after being fouled during the second half at Amway Center. The Bulls won 100-92. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

With Jimmy Butler being one of the bigger names in trade rumors, the Chicago Bulls decided to keep their All-Star wing and not shake up their roster too drastically on Thursday. The Bulls however, did make one trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder, which signals that a rebuild may be coming sooner to Chicago rather than later.

Here’s the details of the trade between the Thunder and Bulls:

Chicago: Acquires Cameron Payne, Anthony Morrow and Joffrey Lauvergne

Oklahoma City: Acquires Taj Gibson, Doug McDermott and a 2018 second-round pick

Let’s break down the trade.

Bulls

Chicago has been seeking an upgrade at the point guard position since they traded Derrick Rose to the Knicks in the offseason. And while Rose has his flaws, the Bulls have made a few futile attempts to replace him.

Chicago signed Rajon Rondo in the offseason but that hasn’t worked out in the least bit. Rondo was benched for several games and is now coming off the bench in a limited role. With Rondo not being a good fit, the Bulls traded for Michael Carter-Williams, who has been just as inconsistent as he has been for the rest of his career. Jerian Grant has performed better than both Rondo and Carter-Williams yet he is more suited for a backup role than a starting role.

With this in mind, Chicago trade for Payne, who has shown glimpses of potential in the past. Payne is a decent playmaker and is just 22 years old, so he still has plenty of time to develop. But Payne is not a good 3-pointer shooter (just 30.8 percent) or a good scorer. And after missing two months with a broken foot, Payne has struggled to make any real impact with the Thunder this season.

The Bulls are clearly high on Payne’s potential though and you never know, he could thrive with an expanded opportunity. But Chicago gave up a lot of talent in Gibson and McDermott to acquire him. Gibson is especially a key loss as he was often praised for his presence in the locker room and is just a truly underappreciated player that does the little things to help a team find success. And sure the Bulls also got Lauvergne and Morrow but let’s be serious, those two will likely have just a limited role in Chicago.

Overall, not a savvy move by the Bulls.

Thunder

Thunder GM Sam Presti always makes smart trades and this one is no different.

The second-worst 3-point shooting team in the league, Oklahoma City desperately needed some more outside shooting and they addressed that with McDermott, who is shooting  37.6 percent from deep. McDermott has been inconsistent though but likely a new setting in Oklahoma City as well as playing with a superstar point guard in Russell Westbrook could help him find his footing.

The Thunder’s acquisition of Gibson though, is especially key. Gibson provides a veteran voice for the Thunder, is a great defender and rebounder. Plus Gibson is an excellent mid-range shooter, which will allow him to instantly become one of Westbrook’s favorite players to pass to. He also is a big upgrade at the starting power forward spot for the Thunder. Oklahoma City was relying on rookie Domantas Sabonis all season but he has been pretty inconsistent and coming off the bench in more limited role could aid in his overall development. And now with the combination of Gibson and Steven Adams, the Thunder have one of the toughest and most fearsome frontcourts in the league.

If adding quality players in both Gibson and McDermott wasn’t enough, the Thunder also got a pick from the Bulls in the trade. It is a second-round pick but that is just another asset for Presti to use in any future trades.

Next: NBA Trade Deadline: Winners and losers

The only downside to this trade for Oklahoma City is that it leaves them a bit thin at point guard. Semaj Christon will be backing up Westbrook now, which is fine but he may not be a long-term solution. But besides for that aspect of the deal, the Thunder improved their team without giving that much in return.

Home/NBA