A January Trade Rebalanced Two Different Depth Charts
On January 25, 2010, Chicago acquired Devin Brown from New Orleans in exchange for Aaron Gray. The Bulls announced the one-for-one agreement in an official release, explaining that Brown's shooting and defensive versatility fit their perimeter rotation. He had started 37 of 39 Hornets games before the exchange, while Gray had appeared in only eight Bulls games during the first half of the season. New Orleans needed another available center who could supply minutes behind Emeka Okafor and David West. Both clubs were chasing roster utility rather than exchanging their primary scorers.
Brown's Chicago Playing Return Lasted Only Eleven Games
Brown's earlier 39 New Orleans starts made him look like a potential upgrade for Chicago, but that form never carried over. He appeared in 11 Bulls regular-season games after the trade, playing only 93 minutes and scoring 20 points. He attempted 17 three-pointers and made four, and did not start a game for his new club. Chicago went to the 2010 playoffs, but Brown did not emerge as a prominent postseason contributor. His 379 Hornets points from before January belong to the team that traded him away and cannot be added to Chicago's acquired return.
Gray Supplied Sixty-Five Hornets Games Over Two Seasons
Gray produced limited offense for New Orleans, but he stayed in use much longer. In the remainder of 2009-10 he made 24 regular-season appearances, totaling 261 minutes, 86 points and 90 rebounds. He returned in 2010-11 for 41 more appearances, six starts, 531 minutes, 129 points and 171 rebounds. That made 65 regular-season games, 792 minutes, 215 points and 261 rebounds for the Hornets as the direct result of the deal. He was still a backup center, not a replacement for the main frontcourt, yet his availability offered real rotation insurance across two seasons.
The Receiving-Team Comparison Favors New Orleans
Both transactions made sense on paper. Chicago wanted a veteran guard whose production earlier that season suggested he could contribute quickly, while New Orleans accepted a slower, more specialized interior reserve. Their actual receiving-team results went in opposite directions: Brown barely played for the Bulls and Gray accumulated two years of center minutes for the Hornets. The difference does not turn Gray into a star or make the deal central to New Orleans's record. It does mean the inherited close grades were too generous to Chicago when judged by what its acquired player provided after January 25.
Final Verdict
Hornets Win. New Orleans earns B for Aaron Gray's 65 games, 792 minutes, 215 points and 261 rebounds across the balance of 2009-10 and 2010-11. Chicago receives D+ because Devin Brown managed just 11 Bulls games, 93 minutes and 20 points. The Hornets secured durable center coverage from a player Chicago seldom used.