Grade the trade: 3-team proposal sees Hawks add $132 million trio & more

Bulls load up to enter next phase in 3-team trade proposal with Hawks & Lakers

This deal is clearly geared toward sending the Bulls full-steam into a rebuild, with several intriguing prospects coming back in exchange for their albatross contract. However, none of the pieces coming back would help them much in the intermediate.

That could present an issue if the Bulls keep avoiding a wholesale teardown of their roster. But they could flip veterans Wood, D’Angelo Russell and Cam Reddish for more picks.

Russell would have to opt into the second year of his two-year, $36 million contract.

His fit alongside breakout star Coby White is also questionable, potentially taking the ball out of the 2023 Most Improved Player runner-up’s hands without improving the team’s overall playmaking enough.

Reddish has never lived up to his top-10 draft slot but is a two-way contributor while the Bulls were linked to Wood before he landed with the Lakers last season.

Griffin and Jalen Hood-Schifino have both flashed their potential but are major question marks.

Ditto for Lewis. But Mathews could help the Bulls get themselves out of the cellar with his three-point shooting prowess. The Bulls would also be the only team to come out of this scenario staying more than $1 million below their allowable amount.

If their move for Caruso was any indication, they could be intrigued by a package that increases their flexibility.

Grade – B+: The Bulls should be looking to take back draft assets and fallen prospects in exchange for their onerous contracts; this deal does that.