Chicago Bulls: Daniel Theis sign-and-trade was a brilliant move

When the gates initially opened up to the NBA free agency period, the Chicago Bulls were off and running. They wasted no time in bringing in their top target, point guard Lonzo Ball, from the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Bulls followed with signing guard Alex Caruso to be a primary 3-and-D guy off the bench, but that move did not close the door on other signings. The Bulls were not done yet.

Chicago’s third move of the night came when it first looked like the Houston Rockets were going to sign Daniel Theis away from them. However, Vice President Arturas Karnisovas was able to perform a little wizardry of his own.

The Bulls didn’t just let Theis go for nothing, but ended up trading him to Houston in a sign-and-trade. In return, Chicago received a coveted trade exception. Now, the Bulls really aren’t done.

The Chicago Bulls now have plenty of options after their Daniel Theis trade.

With a trade exception in hand, the Bulls now have the ability to go after a guy like DeMar DeRozan. After they signed Caruso, it looked a bit difficult to still add someone like DeRozan.

Sure, the possibility of trading Thaddeus Young and executing another sign-and-trade with Lauri Markkanen was still there. That would open up some more flexibility. However, receiving a trade exception in the Theis deal now guarantees the Bulls will go after another significant name.

Will it be DeRozan? In all likelihood, yes. The Bulls were rumored to be suitors for DeRozan shortly before the free agency doors were opened on Monday. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, Chicago was seriously looking at adding both Ball and DeRozan. Already with Ball in Chicago, the Bulls could now look to get their hands on their other top target in DeRozan.

The tough part about adding DeRozan, now, is that the Spurs likely don’t have enough space to absorb a Markkanen contract. Markkanen, of course, has had a few suitors interested in his services and the Spurs were one of them.

Chicago may have to get creative now in their quest to get DeRozan away from the Spurs, but they could be the only real suitor left for him since other teams like the Miami Heat have made significant moves already.

In addition to potentially adding DeRozan, the loss of Theis also means Chicago needs to add a backup big. It is still possible they keep both Markkanen and Young on the roster, and if they do, then they will be almost set. However, there is a lot left yet to happen.

For now, the Theis deal looks brilliant. Karnisovas was able to net a crucial, valuable asset for a backup big, and that’s just an example of what great front offices do.