Bulls trade Taj Gibson, Doug McDermott to Thunder for Cameron Payne
The Chicago Bulls and Oklahoma City Thunder agreed to a trade that sends Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott to OKC for package around Cameron Payne
It was assumed from the start that the Chicago Bulls would be heavily involved at the 2017 NBA Trade Deadline. The thought, however, was that would be the case regarding potentially moving on from Jimmy Butler. However, as the deadline approached, it became clearer that no deal for the former All-Star shooting guard was going to surface.
As such, the Bulls were forced to look elsewhere to try and make moves. However, the trade that they ultimately landed on seems suspect to say the least. To put it kindly, it looks like they got fleeced by Sam Presti and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday.
According the Shams Charania of The Vertical, the Bulls will send the Thunder power forward Taj Gibson and small forward Doug McDermott to the Thunder in exchange for a package with Cameron Payne at the forefront. What’s more, Joffrey Lauvergne and Anthony Morrow will also head to the Windy City while Chicago is sending a second-round pick in the 2018 NBA Draft to OKC:
Sources: OKC and Chicago are nearing agreement on a trade to send package centered on Cameron Payne for Doug McDermott and Taj Gibson.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 23, 2017
OKC sending Joffrey Lauvergne and Anthony Morrow, w/ CHI sending '18 second-round pick with McDermott and Gibson, sources tell @TheVertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 23, 2017
Considering that the Bulls were going to be sellers according to expectations regarding a possible Butler trade, perhaps this deal with the Thunder isn’t wholly surprising. However, the two perplexing aspects are trading a young piece and a quality veteran for really just Payne while also sending a future pick with those two players. That seems suspect, to say the least.
Next: Greatest NBA Trade Deadline Deals Ever
On the other side of the coin, you have to love this deal for the Thunder. Though rookie Damontis Sabonis is moved from his starting role for Gibson, they get an athletic shooter on the wing in Dougie McBuckets and more depth in the frontcourt. For a team going strong led by Russell Westbrook, this move could be huge down the stretch and into the playoffs.
Update
Bulls pushed hard for Andre Roberson, source said. But Thunder wants to re-sign him.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) February 23, 2017
As a bit of supplement that makes the Bulls look at least a bit better, they tried to also grab Andre Roberson. However, the Thunder stood firm on not sending him to Chicago as they see the guard as part of their future.