Bulls News: Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot Traded to Chicago from Thunder
The Chicago Bulls agreed to a deal to acquire small forward Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and cash considerations from the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday, the Bulls announced. The Thunder received a protected 2020 second-round draft pick in return.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium first reported the news.
Per ESPN's Bobby Marks, the Thunder will save $7.3 million against the luxury tax with the trade, and they also created a $1.5 million trade exception to go with their existing $10.8 million trade exception.
In just 21 games this season, Luwawu-Cabarrot is averaging 1.7 points and 0.9 rebounds per contest.
The Philadelphia 76ers selected Luwawu-Cabarrot with the No. 24 overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft.
Luwawu-Cabarrot spent the first two seasons of his career in Philly, averaging 6.1 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game in 121 contests while shooting 39.0 percent from the field and 32.3 percent from three-point range.
The 23-year-old Frenchman was traded to OKC during the offseason in a three-team deal that also sent guard Dennis Schroder to the Thunder.
As part of the trade, Mike Muscala went to the Sixers, and both Carmelo Anthony and Justin Anderson went to the Atlanta Hawks.
Luwawu-Cabarrot has been a little-used reserve for the Thunder this season, and he has a better chance to see playing time in Chicago.
The Bulls are 12-40 this season, and if they make some trades before the Feb. 7 deadline to aid in their rebuild as expected, there should be plenty of opportunities for Luwawu-Cabarrot.
With the Bulls already trading Justin Holiday to the Memphis Grizzlies and Chandler Hutchison currently out with a toe injury, Luwawu-Cabarrot fills a position of need.
As for the Thunder, they now have two open roster spots and the flexibility to make some deals before the deadline.
At 32-18, OKC is third in the Western Conference, and it looks to be a threat to make a deep playoff run.
