The NBA's box score for interpreting who "won" a trade is which team got the best player. That was the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Bulls' Sunday announcement of the three-way trade that sent former All-Rookie first team Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen to the Cavaliers.
The Bulls received high flying Portland small forward Derrick Jones Jr., a 2022 protected first round pick from the Trail Blazers and a 2023 Denver second round from Cleveland. The Trail Blazers acquired Cleveland forward Larry Nance Jr.
But savvy management also understands there are other ways to evaluate a transaction. There's no problem trading Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce or in the NFL years back Hershel Walker if the spare parts and future possibilities can enhance your team.