A new report claims there are executives around the NBA who believe the Chicago Bulls could be a top contender in the rumored trade market for Dallas Mavericks big man Anthony Davis.
The Bulls’ rock-solid start to the season has shown, this team can compete for a playoff spot in the East right now, and Coby White has only played two games this season. However, their 8-6 start also shows they are still some big pieces away from being much more than a play-in team.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAnthony Davis stats (Career): 24.1 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.3 SPG, 2.3 BPG
Chicago has an interesting trade chip that appeals to many teams. But it’s not draft picks, it’s expiring contracts. And according to ESPN NBA insider Tim Bontemps, there are executives around the game who believe they could use their $80 million in expiring contracts towards a trade for 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis.
“I could see it,” a West executive told Bontemps. “[Josh] Giddey has worked well with Vucevic, but he could use a roll man to throw it up to.”
What would a Chicago Bulls trade for Anthony Davis look like?
If the Bulls were bold enough to make a trade for Davis, what might a deal look like? In a hypothetical trade, Chicago has all the leverage. The Mavericks are a mess right now. They are off to a terrible start. General manager Nico Harrison was fired last week, and Davis’ value is at a low point since he has played in just 14 of 48 games since arriving in Dallas.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Mavericks would be thrilled to get out from under his contract. They would prefer to get a first-round pick in a deal, but clearing a bunch of cap space to move on from the oft-injured future Hall of Famer should suffice. So the Bulls having to throw in a premium pick in a future draft is not a necessity.
Anthony Davis contract: Three years, $175.3 million
In a potential trade, the Bulls would get Davis and the $121 million left on his contract. In return, they would send the Mavericks Nikola Vucevic, Kevin Huerter, and Coby White. On a competitive level, it would be a nice return for Dallas, but every player is a free agent after this season.
White would be a notable loss for the Bulls, but the talented point guard is hitting free agency this summer, and there is a very real chance they will lose him. Plus, they have played well without him this season. Showing he is not a must-have to at least compete for a play-in spot.
When healthy, Davis is still a top 20 player and would take a lot of pressure off Giddey and greatly improve a bottom 10 defense.
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