Trade Deadline Marathon: The Nets and Bulls Reunite with Familiar Faces

Nets Receive: F Thaddeus Young, 2022 2nd round pick

Bulls Receive: G Spencer Dinwiddie

Why the Nets do it:

Spencer Dinwiddie is likely going to decline his $12.3 million player option at the end of the season and the Nets won’t want to lose him for nothing. The Nets increased production from their supporting cast with Bruce Brown, Tyler Johnson, Jeff Green, and Landry Shamet to name a few, also makes Dinwiddie a bit more expendable.

Frontcourt help is the biggest need for the Nets right now, and with Harden in the mix, one member of Brooklyn’s big three will always be on the floor barring health. The Nets may opt to keep Dinwiddie and run him with Harden in the second unit, but Dinwiddie is at his best when he is controlling the tempo and pace of the game, not so much playing off ball.

Would it be tough to lose a fan favorite in Dinwiddie? Certainly. But the Nets are all-in on bringing a title to the streets of Flatbush and Atlantic Avenue. Thaddeus Young in a primary bench role would solidify Brooklyn’s frontcourt rotation. Young is under contract for next season, too.

Here the Nets would also get a 2022 second-round pick. With Sean Marks’ track record of finding late draft steals, every pick, even late picks, has meaning for Brooklyn.

Why the Bulls do it:

Any team that trades for Spencer Dinwiddie will get his Bird Rights, meaning the front office can go over the cap to re-sign him to a long-term deal. Likewise, in a trade like this, Chicago could offer Dinwiddie a 5-year deal rather than a four-year one like everyone else. This move would be the Bulls getting a jump on free agency.

Dinwiddie spent time with the Windy City Bulls before blossoming into the 20 point per game scorer he is now. Though he is likely out until next season, he could be a future piece for a young Bulls team. He is still just 27 years old and is entering his prime. Dinwiddie claims to be very ahead of schedule in rehabbing his torn ACL.

Alongside Colby White, the Bulls could establish some consistency for the next few years. With Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter Jr., and recent lottery pick Patrick Williams, Chicago has a surplus of frontcourt talent and would be wise to invest in their youth movement going forward. If the Bulls can secure a commitment from Dinwiddie moving forward, this trade makes a lot of sense for them.