NY Knicks: 3 Eastern Conference Rivals who upgraded at the trade deadline

NY Knicks: The Bulls make the biggest trade of the day

The Celtics were not the only team amplified by the Magic’s implosion, and the Chicago Bulls definitely got the best part of the entire sale. In exchange for a couple of 1st round picks along with Otto Porter Jr. and Wendell Carter Jr., Chicago was able to get back all-star center Nikola Vucevic and veteran defensive forward Al Farouq-Aminu.

While yes the Bulls are now severely depleted of any future young assets, they did do something that was a requirement if they wanted to keep all-star guard Zach Lavine long term. That requirement was to pair another all-star with him. While he is now 30-years-old, Vucevic gives the Bulls a center that can serve as a floor general who isn’t restricted to the paint. Nikola also spreads the floor and is one of the best 3-point shooting centers in the entire NBA (40.6%). In addition, Aminu gives the team a better defensive piece as well. This was without a doubt a move that the Bulls needed to make.

Chicago also gave up Chandler Hutchison in a trade that helped the Bulls get guard Troy Brown Jr. from the Washington Wizards. While Brown Jr. won’t have the largest impact and won’t make a vital difference on the roster. When summarizing all of these changes, there are zero criticisms from me and while the Knicks only play this team one more time (at MSG), it’ll for sure be a great game to watch with three all-stars and both teams competing for a less dangerous first-round matchup come playoff time.