BULLS HELP PELICANS SHED SALARY, ADD PONDEXTER
The Chicago Bulls acquired small forward / shooting guard Quincy Pondexter, a 2nd-round draft pick in 2018, and cash considerations from the New Orleans Pelicans for the draft rights to power forward / center Ater Majok.
What does it give the Chicago Bulls
After moving into rebuilding mode this off-season, the Bulls are one of the NBA's few teams with a lot of salary cap space. They use some of that space here to help the Pelicans shave salary from the New Orleans cap, and get a second-round pick in return. It looks unlikely that Pondexter will be much of a factor for the rebuilding Bulls, mostly because he's an aging swingman who hasn't played at all in the past two seasons due to injuries.
What does it give the New Orleans Pelicans
With three very pricey stars on the roster (Jrue Holiday, Anthony Davis, and DeMarcus Cousins) the Pelicans were motivated to shed Pondexter's salary off their books. Essentially they send the second rounder to the Pels to help drop the salary. Pondexter didn't seem to be in their plans, especially considering injuries have kept him from playing all all over the past two seasons. Now aged 30, Majok looks unlikely to join the NBA (and won't likely be much of a factor if he eventually does).
Fantasy impact
It will be surprising if Pondexter is much of a factor at all this season, mostly because he hasn't played since the 2014-15 campaign. Even if he somehow manages to get fully healthy and stay that way, Pondexter has an uphill climb to re-establish himself in the NBA (even as a role player). His arrival isn't likely to affect any of the current Bulls, nor will his exit much affect the current Pelicans. Meanwhile Majok is not currently under contract, so he is a fantasy non-factor.
