The Bulls Obtained a Young Lithuanian Center for Eddie Basden
On August 18, 2006, Chicago traded reserve guard Eddie Basden to Cleveland for seven-foot-two Lithuanian center Martynas Andriuškevičius. The Bulls’ official acquisition announcement identifies both players and says the center was viewed as a developmental project rather than an immediate starting prospect. Chicago had recently added veteran center Ben Wallace and was also exploring younger players who might grow into future frontcourt roles. Cleveland preferred to exchange a player with little NBA playing time for a guard who could provide a perimeter development option. No draft picks or cash were included in the completed trade. Andriuškevičius had been chosen in the 2005 second round at No. 44 and had already played brief Cavaliers minutes as a rookie.
Andriuškevičius Never Became a Bulls NBA Rotation Center
The official Bulls release records the Lithuanian prospect’s first NBA season as only six Cleveland games, supplemented by 15 Development League appearances for Arkansas. Chicago later assigned him to the Dakota Wizards in December 2006, indicating the club remained focused on his development rather than using him as a first-team starter. He did not establish a Chicago NBA regular-season career. The inherited B- Bulls grade therefore reflects the opportunity to assess a young seven-foot-two prospect and restructure roster development, not significant realized scoring or rebounding. His basketball work outside the NBA should be kept distinct from games in a Bulls uniform. The club was willing to risk a low-used reserve guard for future frontcourt upside, but that upside did not become a long-term NBA starter.
Basden Also Had Only Limited NBA Experience
Basden had appeared in nineteen Chicago games during 2005-06, averaging 2.1 points and 1.5 rebounds in 7.5 minutes. Chicago’s press release also noted 14 Development League appearances with Tulsa, where he had a larger playing role. Cleveland received a player with defensive potential but not a proven scorer or established point guard. The Cavaliers’ inherited B- grade equals the Bulls’ and recognizes a minor prospect exchange rather than immediate elite value. Basden did not become a major Cleveland starter who could displace the club’s established perimeter players. Both parties were exchanging developmental possibilities in the fringes of their 2006 rosters. The equal grades and Even Trade verdict are reasonable in light of the limited NBA production from either acquiring team.
Final Verdict
Even Trade. Chicago and Cleveland both receive B- in the inherited evaluation after a one-for-one prospect swap: the Bulls acquired Andriuškevičius, while the Cavaliers received Eddie Basden. Andriuškevičius had appeared in six Cavaliers games before the exchange, and Basden had played nineteen Bulls games. Neither became an established starter for the new team.