Bulls receive: Nikola Vučević, Daniel Theis, Troy Brown Jr., Al-Farouq Aminu, Javonte Green
Bulls give: Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter Jr., Daniel Gafford, Luke Kornet, Chandler Hutchison, 2021 first-round pick (top-four protected), 2023 first-round pick (top-four protected)
Quite the day for the Bulls’ new front office, who, after a period of inactivity between last offseason and now, have begun their roster shakeup in earnest. An approximation of where the roster stands after today:
Guards: Zach LaVine, Tomáš Satoranský, Coby White, Ryan Arcidiacono, Devon Dotson*
Wings: Patrick Williams, Garrett Temple, Troy Brown Jr., Denzel Valentine, Al-Farouq Aminu, Javonte Green, Adam Mokoka*
Bigs: Nikola Vučević, Lauri Markkanen, Thad Young, Daniel Theis, Cristiano Felício
There are snags to work through. Karnišovas’ quest for a point guard upgrade isn’t finished. With restricted free agency looming, Markkanen’s long-term future — and place in the rotation — is dubious after he was embroiled in rumors most of the day. That wing rotation could use shoring up.
But that team is significantly more equipped to compete than the roster at the start of the day. By all accounts, that was the intention. And as it relates to further, necessary improvements, Karnišovas and Co. have proven they’re unafraid to act boldly.
There are games left to be played, but for the combination of audaciousness (Vučević) and value work around the margins (Brown, Theis), the Bulls get an A for the day.