Some basketball insiders panned the Chicago Bulls’ decision last month to trade for former Wizards forward Otto Porter. Many were skeptical the 25-year-old would fit in with a rebuilding team and questioned why the Bulls would take on Porter’s max contract.
But a month later, the deal doesn’t look so bad for Chicago.
Although he is listed as doubtful for Wednesday’s rematch against the Wizards with a shoulder injury, Porter is thriving in the Windy City.
He’s averaging almost five full points more per game, 17.5 from 12.6, and is establishing himself as part of Chicago’s core.
Porter is the latest former Wizard to find on-court success, post-Washington. This season, The Wizards also traded Kelly Oubre and Austin Rivers, and both are playing substantially better in a different uniform.
“He can play with a young team, he can play with a veteran team,” Wizards coach Scott Brooks said of Porter. “He’s not going to ever be the focal point. That’s not his game, but he can be a great piece.”
Porter is still a secondary playmaker compared to Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen — Chicago’s top two options — but his role is different with the Bulls. Chicago expects Porter to be a leader and help mentor its younger core, which wasn’t necessarily asked of him when he played alongside John Wall and Bradley Beal.
With Washington, Porter often frustrated teammates and Brooks because they wanted him to be more aggressive on offense. But with the Bulls, that hasn’t been a problem. Porter is now averaging a career-high 13.4 shots per game — up from his 10.8 with the Wizards.
The Wizards have already seen Porter’s new-found aggressiveness firsthand. Days after he was traded, Porter took 15 shots against his former team and scored 17 on Feb. 9.
With Washington this season, Porter had at least 15 attempts in only six of 41 games. For Chicago, he’s taken that many shots and more already four times in 15 appearances, including a career-high 25 shot attempts on March 1.
Elsewhere, Oubre is also benefitting from an expanded role with the Phoenix Suns. Since his trade to Phoenix in mid-December, the 23-year-old is averaging a career-best 16.9 points in 29.5 minutes per game. With the Suns, Oubre fits in with a young nucleus of Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton. He’s even moved into the team’s starting lineup late last month.
Rivers, on the other hand, looks much better on a contender in Houston. The Rockets signed him shortly following his release from the Suns. Coach Mike D’Antoni’s 3-point heavy system is a perfect match for Rivers and the Rockets value the 26-year-old’s defense.
Still, it’s hard to say the Wizards regret any of the moves.
Rivers’ short-lived tenure with Washington just didn’t work out. The Wizards were likely to lose Oubre in free agency this summer, despite the team being allowed to match any offer sheet the 23-year-old signed. And Washington desperately wanted out of the NBA’s luxury tax penalty — trading away Porter’s big contract took care of that.
Asked about Porter before Monday’s game against Utah, Brooks went out of his way to defend the trade.
“It gave us flexibility and gave us an opportunity to add two really good players for the one,” Brooks said. “And it also gives us flexibility with John being out for the majority of next season. We can use some flexibility.”
The Wizards like what they’ve received in return for the three departed players. Trevor Ariza, acquired from Phoenix, has been a streaky shooter, but Brooks has said he appreciates the veteran’s willingness to stick with his role — a not-so-subtle dig at Oubre.
Bobby Portis and Jabari Parker, too, have been pleasant surprises from Chicago. Turnovers are an issue for Parker — he averages 5.5 per game — but he’s helped improve the second unit and has emerged as the team’s secondary scorer behind Beal.
Portis has been a knockdown shooter for Washington. Now in the starting lineup, the 24-year-old is shooting 45.7 percent from deep.
Washington will have to make interesting decisions with both of them this summer, given Portis is a restricted free agent and Parker has a $20 million team option.
Maybe the change of scenery was best for all.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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