Trade Confirmed
Washington sends: Monta Ellis
Chicago sends: Joe Johnson
I still think Chicago should have traded Deng instead. I like that Bulls team with Monta alongside JJ and Iggy on the wings. Less so with Deng there and no JJ.
I think Chicago would have been better off dumping Glen Davis and keeping their JJ, Iggy and Deng trio than making this move.
Very good upgrade for Washington. JJ is a really good player and he should fit in reasonably well alongside Tony Parker and Pau Gasol.
Reason as to why Chicago agreed to take cursed Monta is because of Deng and Iggy. They can cover up whatever defensive flaw Ellis has.
JJ and Monta would be like Jennings and Monta, fighting over shots and not having good defense to give back. With Deng and Iggy, Monta can chuck shots, drop 30, and get covered defensively because both are stellar wing defenders.
I think having that (1) extra ball-handler and passer in JJ as well as having (2) a true 2nd shot-creator and (3) quality strong long distance jump-shooter alongside Monta ... was very important to your offense working.
There isn't enough spacing now and there is no plan B when Monta isn't able to generate a quality shot for himself. Teams can back off Deng and Iggy and clog the driving lanes when Monta is on the ball. They can back off of Monta too and dare him into long jumpers. And when that happens neither Deng or Iggy (or Brand or Noah) are strong enough shot-creators to give you a quality second option offensively. The offense will still be one of the weaker ones in the league.
The perimeter defense with Monta, Iggy and Deng is spectacular but Chicago still would have had one of the best perimeter defenses in the league with Monta, JJ and Iggy.
I think you've lost more offensively than you have gained defensively by choosing Deng over JJ.