NBA Trade Deadline 2019: One trade every team should make

ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 17: Center Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic drives to the basket against Center JaVale McGee #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the game at the Amway Center on November 17, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. The Magic defeated the Lakers 130 to 117. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 16: Jabari Parker #2 of the Chicago Bulls walks backcourt during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on November 16, 2018 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

The Bulls seemed to think in the offseason that bringing back Parker, a Simeon High graduate, would be a positive move for their franchise. The Chicago native, however, publicly declared his commitment to not playing defense and focusing on scoring, meaning that playing him alongside Lauri Markannen and Zach LaVine would be a lineup that would really struggle to prevent teams from scoring. With injuries and a poor attitude, the gig is up already for the former No. 2 overall pick.

Sending Parker to Minnesota, a team that has multiple defenders but could use Parker’s scoring off the bench, for Taj Gibson, a player that the fans in Chicago actually like, would be a positive PR move and a positive basketball move. Gibson and Tolliver both have expiring contracts, and would be free to choose wherever they want to sign at the end of the season. The move frees up a lot of cap space for the Bulls, who would have another chance to make a run at a marquee free agent to help return the Bulls to their former glory.

For Minnesota, playing Parker off the bench gives their second-unit a scoring punch they aren’t getting most nights. While losing Gibson would hurt their defense, inserting Dario Saric into his spot in the starting lineup could open up the floor further for Karl-Anthony Towns, who has been dominating since Tom Thibodeau was fired. If the Timberwolves want to make up the ground between them and the No. 8 seed in the West, they need to shake things up.

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