Would Tony Snell Be More Useful to Chicago Bulls as a Trade Chip?
Chicago Bulls guard Tony Snell has been glued to the end of the bench this season. Maybe it would be best to place him on the trading block and see if any teams are interested.
He's not doing the Bulls any good by barely playing. So it only makes sense to deal him for some "win now" help.
Chicago made Snell the 20th overall pick in the 2013 draft. Many had predicted the team would take a big man like Gorgui Dieng or Mason Plumlee to back up Joakim Noah. But instead, the Bulls opted for Snell, who possessed the ability to stretch the floor with his shooting.
And management felt he could develop into a solid defender under the guidance of coach Tom Thibodeau.
Snell went on to have an inconsistent rookie year, averaging 4.5 points on 38.4 percent shooting overall (32.0 percent from downtown). Sometimes, he looked liked a future star. And other times he played like someone bound for a D-League career.
This past summer, though, Snell had a phenomenal summer league, averaging 20.0 points and shooting 46.6 overall (50.0 percent from three-point range).
He was then expected to play a larger role this season, serving as a quality backup for shooting guard Jimmy Butler. However, he has not been part of Thibodeau's rotation, playing just 8.8 minutes a night.
When Snell actually does see the court, he doesn't show confidence or aggressiveness. He often has that "deer in headlights" type of look.
Things just aren't working out for him in the Windy City. It's time to make a change.
What the Bulls Can Get in Return
By trading Snell, the Bulls aren't going to net an All-Star-caliber player. They could if they packaged him with Noah or Taj Gibson, but it's extremely unlikely that the team would part with either player.
Snell, packaged with a draft pick and fillers, could bring a decent player to Chicago. Bleacher Report's Dan Favale suggested a trade for Phoenix Suns forward Gerald Green:
"With Jimmy Butler god-ing at the 2 spot, the Bulls could really use an upgrade over Mike Dunleavy at the 3. Doug McDermott isn't equipped to defend small forwards, and Tony Snell still looks lost.
Possible Trade (after Dec. 15): Cameron Bairstow, Nazr Mohammed, Tony Snell and Sacramento's top-10-protected first-round draft pick in 2015 for Gerald Green.
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Green would be a wonderful pickup, providing scoring punch off the Bulls' bench. But it's unlikely that the Suns, who are currently the eighth seed in the Western Conference, would deal such an important piece for a downgrade like Snell.
Perhaps the Bulls could acquire Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder. Butler's college teammate at Marquette, Crowder isn't much of a scoring threat. Yet, he is known as a tough-nosed defender, capable of guarding multiple positions on the floor. And we all know how much Thibodeau likes players who play D.
Chicago just might be able to get Crowder for Snell and a second-round pick. Collecting a pair of picks in the recent Rajon Rondo deal, maybe Boston wouldn't mind acquiring another one and taking a chance on Snell.
Crowder would make a nice addition to the Bulls' second unit, playing behind starting small forward Mike Dunleavy.
One- or Two-Year Window
Snell is averaging only 1.7 points per game and has failed to score in each of his past 12 contests. But it is pretty difficult to score when you're only playing a few minutes here and there.
He needs to play for a rebuilding team that can give him a ton of minutes so he can develop. The Bulls don't have time to sit around and wait for him. They have possibly a one- or two-year title window, meaning they need players who can contribute right away as opposed to a few years down the road.
Butler is having an unbelievable season, scoring a career-high 21.6 points a night. Set to become a restricted free agent next summer, you better believe he'll receive a hefty contract. Will that contract come from the Bulls, though?
If he finishes the season playing like an All-Star, another team could offer him a deal that's so expensive the Bulls refuse to match. In that case, this year may be the last realistic chance for a championship.
Even if Butler re-signs, Chicago's title contender status could come to an end in 2016. Bleacher Report's John Wilmes explains:
"Upon looking at the team’s short-term offseason prospects, age and other factors, a two-year window seems to be its circumstance. The 2016 offseason is when Joakim Noah’s contract expires, and also when Pau Gasol will be turning a hefty 36 years old. If the Bulls haven’t gotten their best shot at a championship in with this crew by then, it will probably be too late.
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It's unclear whether Noah will stay in Chicago. And a then-36-year-old Pau Gasol may not be quite as effective as he is now. Plus, no one knows if Derrick Rose will be healthy at that time.
So yes, using Snell as a trade chip would benefit the Bulls. It's time for the team to move on and he needs a change of scenery.
All stats are from Basketball-Reference.com and accurate as of Dec. 26.
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