Amid rampant speculation surrounding a potential Jimmy Butler blockbuster, the Bulls instead made a smaller rebuild-oriented move before Thursday’s trade deadline. Chicago traded longtime frontcourt stalwart Taj Gibson and 2014 lottery selection Doug McDermott to the Thunder in exchange for another former lottery pick in Cameron Payne, along with Joffrey Lauvergne and Anthony Morrow. The Bulls also sent a 2018 second-rounder in the deal. The trade was first reported by The Vertical’s Shams Charania.
Who won the deal? Let's grade both sides.
Bulls: C+
After balking at a reported Pau Gasol deal with Sacramento one year ago, Chicago ensured it would get something in return for Gibson, a well-respected, hard-nosed power forward who went through plenty of playoff battles with the Thibodeau Bulls teams of old.