NBA Trade Rumors: 5 trades Chicago Bulls need to make

Otto Porter

Besides the injured Noah damaging their frontcourt and Derrick Rose’s inefficiencies in the backcourt, the Bulls have a problem at small forward. Nikola Mirotic has worked out poorly at the three (primarily due to his weak defense and inability to matchup at the perimeter), and Tony Snell isn’t exactly the best option you could hope for either. With that in mind, it only makes sense that if the Bulls can make something happen to acquire a new small forward, it’s worth pursuing.

One such player Chicago can go after is Otto Porter of the Washington Wizards. He’s a 6’8″ small forward with a 7’1″ wingspan, who, despite not having taken off yet as a third year player, is still a capable defender with potential. In terms of his offensive game, he’s actually improving. 50 percent from 16-24 feet is a more than respectable mark and he’s made more threes this season (40) than the previous two years combined.

In order to land Porter, the Bulls can do a direct swap by sending Mirotic to Washington — a team in need of a new power forward to mix into their rotation who spaces the floor more effectively than the big men they have already.

In a Mirotic-Porter swap, the Wizards land a better stretch-four (35 percent from three, 2.6 makes per 36 minutes) than their current players – Kris Humphries, Drew Gooden and Nene Hilario – and one who’s only 24 years old with far more upside, too. Mirotic hasn’t been playing that well as of late, but part of that’s due to his fit and role in Chicago and the Wizards could benefit from trying a young talent in their ageing and limited frontcourt. He’s shown such high potential at times since his rookie season, and still has plenty of room to improve.

Plus, the Wizards have key pieces at small forward already with Jared Dudley having a great season and the recently drafted Kelly Oubre Jr. This only makes Porter more expendable if they get another young prospect in return.

You also have to think that with other shooters such as Dudley and especially Bradley Beal to attract some of the attention, Mirotic could benefit greatly in the Wizards’ offense with one of the best passers around in John Wall to feed him the ball.

This trade fills a need for both teams, and is a far less complicated trade than trying to deal away Gibson or Gasol for someone like Fournier. The Bulls need to consider this one.

Next: Parting ways with Pau Gasol