Dallas Mavericks Receive: F Lauri Markkanen
Chicago Bulls Receive: C Moses Brown, 2022 second-round pick
If the Chicago Bulls end up having to negotiate a sign-and-trade with the Dallas Mavericks, it would be for a few key reasons. For starters, Lauri Markkanen would be willing to take a 2021-22 salary that pays within the near $10.9M threshold of the Mavericks’ trade exception.
There would also need to be a lack of willingness from the New Orleans Pelicans, Boston Celtics, and Minnesota Timberwolves to pay Markkanen a substantial contract or to provide much from a draft compensation standpoint. Keep in mind, the Pelicans already has sent out a first-round pick for Devonte’ Graham and the Timberwolves and Celtics didn’t make a 2021 first-round selection.
The Bulls want to limit how much salary they take back in any sign-and-trade deal for Markkanen. However, Chicago does need to add more talent at the center position behind Nikole Vucevic after Daniel Theis departed in free agency to sign with the Houston Rockets.
An intriguing option for the Bulls could be to take Moses Brown from the Mavericks in a deal. He stands at 7-foot-2 and is coming off an impressive season with averages of 7.3 points and 7.6 rebounds and 18.3 minutes per game.
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Brown is set to earn just $1.7 million during the 2021-22 season and is under contract for four-years. He would be a minimal salary for the Bulls to take back and could provide another option at center.
Let’s take a look at how this NBA trade scenario centered around Lauri Markkanen would impact both the Chicago Bulls and Dallas Mavericks.
