The Chicago Bulls should trade Otto Porter Jr.

Otto Porter Jr. has had two injury-plagued seasons

Otto Porter made his return to action during Thursday night’s loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Prior to that, he’d missed 18 of Chicago’s 34 games this season. Last season, he played in a total of 14 games. Durability has been an issue for Porter; he hasn’t had time to gel with the rest of Chicago’s young core.

One of the reasons Chicago was willing to give up Jabari Parker, Bobby Portis and a second-round pick to acquire Porter was his potential alongside Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen. Unfortunately, both Porter and Markkanen have missed significant time due to injury since the trade. The three players once thought to be the foundation of Chicago’s core have rarely been on the court together. Without the opportunity to evaluate Porter in the envisioned lineup, the front office must consider if he’s still an ideal fit.

In limited action on Thursday, Porter looked to have the bounce back in his step. Opposing front offices are sure to inquire about his injury status if the Bulls offer him up in a deal. The time is now to capitalize on the positive momentum he’s showing from a physical standpoint. Porter has done a great job of staying focused on returning from injury. Other teams will take note of his grit and understand they will be welcoming a true professional into the organization.