Grade the Mock Trade: Bleacher Report sends McDermott to the Bulls

The San Antonio Spurs find themselves nearing the end of one of the most impressive rebuilds in recent NBA history. Not only do they have a once-in-a-generation prospect in Victor Wembanyama but also an arsenal of picks, including a couple from the Chicago Bulls. On the other hand, the Chicago Bulls find themselves in a far less favorable spot.

The Bulls had high hopes when they formed a big three that featured three all-stars in Zach LaVine, former Spur DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic. Even then, they somehow managed to miss the playoffs last season despite having three all-stars. Worse yet, things don't look any better for them this season after making small changes to their roster. That leads us to an interesting trade proposal by Bleacher Report.

Grading a hypothetical Bulls-Spurs trade

Under Bleacher Report's proposal, the Spurs would trade Doug McDermott and a 2024 second-round pick to the Bulls for Ayo Dosunmu and Dalen Terry.

This deal is centered around Dosunmu and Terry, two talented young players that make more sense for a rebuilding team like San Antonio than an organization looking to extend their playoff window. It might seem strange for the Bulls to move on from their best backcourt prospects, but they need an injection of spacing to make their offense flow.

Though recent terrible trades by the Bulls have put them behind the eight ball, they have a history of doing business with San Antonio. The DeMar DeRozan sign-and-trade landed Chicago an All-Star to place next to Zach LaVine, and they are still trying to build around their lackluster core that has been a mess since Lonzo Ball went out of commission almost two years ago.

As far as returns go, trading McDermott and the Lakers' second rounder for a pair of two-way guards might be the best they can do. The veteran marksman has slipped out of the rotation after the arrival of Cedi Osman this summer, and adding pieces that fit their long-term timeline for Wembanyama has legitimate appeal.

Dosunmu inked a three-year, $21 million contract with the Bulls this summer, but the former second-round pick is more than worth the average annual value of that deal. He is a reliable playmaker and a high-motor defender that could offer Gregg Popovich some much-needed depth.

As for Terry, the 21-year-old swingman is mostly an afterthought. San Antonio could invest G League resources into his development or cut ties without feeling any negative repercussions. He had a less-than-stellar rookie season, but his defensive versatility fits into switch-heavy scheme.

The Bulls are desperate for answers to their clunky roster construction, and things reached a fever pitch when they held a players only meeting following a blowout loss in their season opener earlier this week. Chicago needs more spacing to survive in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, which opens the door for Brian Wright and the front office to fleece them again.

McDermott might have more immediate value for the Bulls, but he is little more than a one-year rental who can walk for nothing in free agency next offseason. San Antonio could assist Dosunmu and Terry in reaching their untapped upside. And should that happen, the Spurs would have two more assets to add to their blossoming young core.

If Chicago is willing to pick up the phone and listen to this proposal, Dosunmu and Terry would be well worth a flyer for San Antonio. Parting ways with an aging sharpshooter and a second-round selection to upgrade the positional size of their backcourt is a win-win for the Spurs. This trade might not be a blockbuster, but it makes this team better in the long run.

Grade: B-