Trade season in the NBA has officially commenced, and the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Sacramento Kings have made headlines with an early three-team trade announcement. The Bulls acted as facilitators in the deal, which saw the Cavaliers acquire Keon Ellis and Dennis Schröder while DeAndre Hunter made his way to Sacramento. In exchange, Chicago received two future second-round picks, traded away two-way player Emanuel Miller, and assumed the contract of Dario Šarić.
Despite being a relatively minor trade, it marks a successful maneuver for the Bulls, who have often found themselves in the role of facilitator rather than direct player trader. The acquisition of draft capital is a positive step, especially since the Bulls’ front office has been criticized for not prioritizing the stockpiling of draft picks. While immediate impacts may be limited, this strategic move could position the team to attract new talent ahead of the trading deadline.
In recent years, the Bulls have heavily relied on player-for-player trades, which, while they can appear underwhelming initially, have proven beneficial for the franchise. A prime example includes the controversial Alex Caruso-for-Josh Giddey trade, which, despite past ridicule, has turned into a major success as Giddey showcases All-Star potential while fundamentally transforming the Bulls’ offense.
Another significant trade occurred at the start of the 2025 offseason when Chicago sent beloved player Lonzo Ball to the Cavaliers for former fifth-overall pick Isaac Okoro. Initially met with skepticism, this trade has since been reevaluated favorably for the Bulls as Okoro’s contributions shine, particularly on the defensive end. While his scoring averages sit at 8.7 points, his ability to defend opposing teams’ top players and shoot an efficient 35.4 percent from three-point range has made him a valuable asset.
In stark contrast, Ball’s tenure in Cleveland has been plagued by struggles. He is averaging a disappointing 4.6 points and shooting just 29.9 percent from the field this season. The Cavaliers, seeking reinforcements in their backcourt, opted to strengthen their roster by acquiring Ellis and Schröder as starting point guard Darius Garland faces injury challenges.
The Bulls’ successful trade strategy demonstrates that the benefits of trades can often take time to manifest. In this case, the earlier skepticism surrounding the trade involving Lonzo Ball has faded as Okoro’s impact becomes clearer, underlining the idea that the true winners of these deals are not always immediately apparent.