Chicago Bulls Pursuing Trade for Arron Afflalo
Mar 12, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Arron Afflalo (4) drives to the basket as Denver Nuggets center J.J. Hickson (7) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Denver Nuggets defeated the Orlando Magic 120-112. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Orlando Magic’s Arron Afflalo is being pursued by the Chicago Bulls according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.
Woj is also reporting that the Magic front office is much more interested in trading Afflalo than signing him to a new long-term deal.
With the 2014 NBA draft less than a week away, it’s rumoured that Chicago will have to give up one, if not both, of its 2014 first round draft picks.
"“Chicago owns the 16th and 19th overall picks in the draft, and assuredly one of those selections would be included in a possible package with the Magic. Orlando has the fourth and 12th picks in Thursday’s draft and a rapidly developing young core of talent, including guard Victor Oladipo and center Nikola Vucevic,” Wojnarowski reports."
It’s been reported that Afflalo would be interested in a move to a playoff team and Chicago fits that bill.
Afflalo is one of the best bargains in the league as next year he is schedule to make a little above $7.5 million and has a player option the following season for $7.75 million.
On the Magic’s end, it’s difficult to trade away your best player but moving Afflalo now might be in their best interests.
If the Magic don’t make enough strides in 2014-15 they could lose Afflalo for nothing next offseason, assuming he opts out.
Afflalo’s stock has never been higher due to his excellent two seasons in Orlando, where he’s averaged 17.4 points per game.
He’s a good defender and has developed the ability to create his own shot, a talent he didn’t really possess until arriving in Orlando.
Afflalo has been linked to numerous teams so far this offseason, including the Charlotte Hornets, but the rumours to the Bulls seem to have gained the most traction.
It is worth noting however, that Afflalo has not asked to be traded.