$3.5 million is a steep price to pay for a second round draft pick.
But that’s what Golden State Warriors were willing to give to the Chicago Bulls to acquire second rounder Jordan Bell.
Of course, that amount of money is hard to turn down for a Bulls team that is on the hook for Rajon Rondo’s $3 million guarantee and the $23.8 million salary for Dwyane Wade for the upcoming season. So while the Warriors are continuing to load up on young players, the Bulls are giving up picks to pay for aging ones. Ouch.
Still, regardless of any financial pickle the Bulls might be in, if the Warriors are willing to pay a small ransom to acquire a player your organization just drafted, guess what? That’s probably an indicator you should hold onto him.
Whether or not Chicago regrets the trade is not Golden State’s problem; Bell is in a Warriors uniform. Just five Summer League games into his career, the University of Oregon alum is making a strong first impression on the Warriors coaching staff, players and their fans.
Bell has done it all during the Dubs’ run in Las Vegas. He averaged 5.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 2.0 steals per contest in five games.
His “5×5″ performance against the Timberwolves on Tuesday – five points, six blocks, five steals, five assists and 11 rebounds – caught the attention of the national media. The Warriors ended up losing the game 78-76, but they were plus-27 with Bell on the court.
Wednesday night – in a rematch against Minnesota in the first round of the tournament bracket – Bell grabbed a Warriors Summer League record 16 rebounds.
The Warriors and Bell hope it’s a sign of things to come when the season tips off on October 17 and beyond. The 6’8” forward is already developing chemistry with fellow roster players Patrick McCaw and Damian Jones.
ICYMI – McCaw to Bell alley oop!! #TheFuture pic.twitter.com/xWprwhEOXE
— GSWdelivery (@GSWdelivery) July 12, 2017
Damian Jones & Jordan Bell combined for a 1st quarter block party pic.twitter.com/Zfp1j10RiY
— GoldenStateWarriors (@warriors) July 12, 2017
Aside from McCaw and Jones, Bell’s contributions have come for the most part alongside players that won’t be on the Warriors 15-man roster. Just wait until he is catching lobs from Stephen Curry, running the pick and roll with Kevin Durant, and having Draymond Green bark defensive orders at him.
Speaking of Green, Bell is a fan.
Just trying to be like draymond
— Jordan Bell (@1jordanbell) July 12, 2017
The comparisons are there; both are versatile power forwards that can move out to the perimeter on defense, though Bell will have to prove he can play some minutes at center like Green can.
Green, alongside Curry, Durant and Klay Thompson are the four studs that led the Warriors to the 2017 championship. But what the organization might do better than any other across the league is maximize the skill sets of its role players. See JaVale McGee. Ian Clark. Festus Ezeli. Mo Speights.
That’s where Jordan Bell falls, at least to begin his career. Throughout the season, Bell will continue to work on all parts of his game. Lucky for him, the Warriors have built such a solid foundation that in the time he is on the court early on, they will play off his strengths. His Summer League sample is small, but Bell looks like he’ll be able to contribute in more than just one way.
Jordan Bell has only been with the Warriors for three weeks. But this we know: he is scrappy, he can cover many areas of the floor and most importantly, he’s thrilled to learn on a veteran-led championship squad.
There have been worse decisions made with $3.5 million. Golden State thanks you, Chicago.