If it was a trade being thrown around last season, it would have been a no-brainer.
The flaws of Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons for the flaws of the Bulls’ Zach LaVine.
Done.
After all, 6-foot-11 point guards don’t exactly grow on trees, so the Bulls would have seemingly welcomed Simmons into the mix.
What’s changed?
One player has accepted a new coach and has been humbled enough to make improvements in his game, while the other is Simmons.
Sure, it’s a fun little NBA rumor still circulating around out there, LaVine and a contract like Cristiano Felicio’s for Simmons, but the stakes have changed.