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NBA Power Rankings Week 14: Trade deadline recap

By Corey Rausch

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 23: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Denver Nuggets at Amway Center on March 23, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 23: Nikola Vucevic #9 of the Orlando Magic shoots the ball against the Denver Nuggets at Amway Center on March 23, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /
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NBA trade deadline (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
NBA trade deadline (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

19-25. Previous: 20th. Chicago Bulls. 19. team. 24.

Last Week: Beat Detroit Pistons 100-86, Lost to Utah Jazz 120-95, Lost to Cleveland Cavaliers 103-94, Lost to San Antonio Spurs 120-104

This Week: 3/29 vs. Sacramento Kings, 3/31 vs. Sacramento Kings, 4/1 vs. Atlanta Hawks, 4/3 vs. Indiana Pacers

The Chicago Bulls have decided they are ready for the main stage. Even if that stage is just competing for the sixth seed in the playoffs that is a huge step forward for a team that has not fielded multiple All-Stars since 2016. The Bulls pushed their chips in, betting on this move being a step towards showing Zach LaVine they want to keep him beyond next season.

The Nikola Vucevic trade is the headliner. The two-time All-Star is having a career year, averaging 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.0 steals per game on shooting splits of .480/.406/.827. Bringing in the big man and Al-Farouq Aminu for Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter Jr. and two future top-four protected first-round picks may sound like a steep price to pay but the contract for Vucevic is so team-friendly that it is understandable. LaVine has never played with another star in Chicago and the team was already on the playoff periphery.

That is not the only move the team made. The Bulls brought in Daniel Theis, Javonte Green and Troy Brown Jr. in exchange for Luke Kornet, Daniel Gafford and Chandler Hutchison. This is a big win for the team from Chicago. Daniel Theis is immediately the best reserve center in the league and brings a level of toughness on the defensive end the team is lacking Troy Brown Jr. was really good in the bubble last season and needed a change of scenery to take advantage of his talents. Do not expect the Bulls to stay this low in the rankings for long.