Building around Coby-Giddey-Matas

[Dan Z]

How can you say he rushed things if it worked? Until Ball got hurt, it worked. That's called doing what you're supposed to do, build a team that can be a top team in the conference. They were winning, so they were winners. You're talking about pivoting a year after the Lonzo injury, again the injury was only 4 seasons ago. So pivoting after you already traded your draft picks away and added high priced vets. How?

It's obvious to fans now Lonzo wasn't coming back, it wasn't obvious to the medical professionals that the team consults with.

He got Caruso dirt cheap, played great for us while he was here, and traded an older often injured player who needs a new contract for our young triple double PG. Don't even know how this is debatable, OKC just gave Caruso 4yrs/$81 mill. He's played 50 games at 19 minutes/gm this season and he's older next year. Great move.

He has pivoted, within 3 years, just not fast enough for some people. Who have no idea what the returns for any of those "valuable" pieces like Lavine, Demar and Vucevic would bring. It's been the line consistently that all are overpaid and unmovable, lmao! He tried to move Zach and let Demar go. He started the pivot last year. Put Vuc on the block this year, was he worth a lot more two years ago if AK tried to trade him?

They won 46 games that first year and ended up losing badly in the first round to the Bucks. That's a winner? I'm sure if you look at their season they fell off after those first two months.

It didn't take long to figure out that Lonzo wasn't coming back any times soon. I said that here and many other posters did too. Also, if you're waiting for Lonzo to "save you" then something is wrong with your team.

We've deviated from my point which is building through the draft. Nobody wants to consistently lose on purpose in hopes of landing a star in the draft. What I'd like (I think I'm not alone in this) is a GM who sees that the team isn't working (the Bulls won 1 playoff game in 4 years. Our records have been 31 wins, 46, 39 and this year...37 or so wins?) and then does whatever he can to build a new foundation to work with. The best way to do that in the current NBA is the draft.

Trade players for as many picks as you can and try to get the highest picks that you can. Then draft as best you can and once you have a solid foundation then go from there (possibly adding vets). Rockets did that and so did the Cavs.

I like Giddey, Coby and Matas, but there's a good chance the Bulls continue to be a play-in team next year. Just look the new thread about the Eastern Conference next season.

They won 46 games because Lonzo only played 35 before he got injured. They were on pace for a much better record, and certainly no guaranteed first round out. They wouldn't haven't even seen the Bucks in the first round.

The Bulls don't get great draft capital trading Derozan and Vuc. They just got a first for Zach, don't think he was getting more than that. Don't think it would have been easier or we get more for Vucevic with more years on his contract either. We could still end up with draft capital superior to what we would have gotten. Ony one we could have gotten more for is Derozan. And I'd say trading Caruso for Giddey is very similar to trading a valuable vet for a high draft pick, he still had a year left on rookie contract.

Really don't think we have significantly more young player or draft assets if we traded Zach, Demar and Vuc 2 years ago, if that was even possible. Maybe an extra late first or a couple of seconds.

Trading them means we'd also lose more games and potentially have a higher pick. I think the 2nd pick they owed Orlando had protections on it?

If they had more assets (meaning something they get for DDR, Zach, Caruso, etc.) then that gives AK more to work with. Maybe he trades up in a draft? Or makes a trade for a young player? Who knows. He'd be moving in a new direction rather than wait it out until DDR's contract is over and Zach's value decreased. It's possible that the Bulls would go into this season with no Zach, DDR, or Vuc and can basically start with a clean slate (so to speak). Then develop Matas (and any other young player), get a top pick in the 2025 draft and go from there.

There was no point in waiting around and not doing anything a year or two ago. It was obvious that the team wasn't going to suddenly turn things around.

[Infinity2152]

They won 46 games that first year and ended up losing badly in the first round to the Bucks. That's a winner? I'm sure if you look at their season they fell off after those first two months.

It didn't take long to figure out that Lonzo wasn't coming back any times soon. I said that here and many other posters did too. Also, if you're waiting for Lonzo to "save you" then something is wrong with your team.

We've deviated from my point which is building through the draft. Nobody wants to consistently lose on purpose in hopes of landing a star in the draft. What I'd like (I think I'm not alone in this) is a GM who sees that the team isn't working (the Bulls won 1 playoff game in 4 years. Our records have been 31 wins, 46, 39 and this year...37 or so wins?) and then does whatever he can to build a new foundation to work with. The best way to do that in the current NBA is the draft.

Trade players for as many picks as you can and try to get the highest picks that you can. Then draft as best you can and once you have a solid foundation then go from there (possibly adding vets). Rockets did that and so did the Cavs.

I like Giddey, Coby and Matas, but there's a good chance the Bulls continue to be a play-in team next year. Just look the new thread about the Eastern Conference next season.

They won 46 games because Lonzo only played 35 before he got injured. They were on pace for a much better record, and certainly no guaranteed first round out. They wouldn't haven't even seen the Bucks in the first round.

The Bulls don't get great draft capital trading Derozan and Vuc. They just got a first for Zach, don't think he was getting more than that. Don't think it would have been easier or we get more for Vucevic with more years on his contract either. We could still end up with draft capital superior to what we would have gotten. Ony one we could have gotten more for is Derozan. And I'd say trading Caruso for Giddey is very similar to trading a valuable vet for a high draft pick, he still had a year left on rookie contract.

Really don't think we have significantly more young player or draft assets if we traded Zach, Demar and Vuc 2 years ago, if that was even possible. Maybe an extra late first or a couple of seconds.

Trading them means we'd also lose more games and potentially have a higher pick. I think the 2nd pick they owed Orlando had protections on it?

If they had more assets (meaning something they get for DDR, Zach, Caruso, etc.) then that gives AK more to work with. Maybe he trades up in a draft? Or makes a trade for a young player? Who knows. He'd be moving in a new direction rather than wait it out until DDR's contract is over and Zach's value decreased. It's possible that the Bulls would go into this season with no Zach, DDR, or Vuc and can basically start with a clean slate (so to speak). Then develop Matas (and any other young player), get a top pick in the 2025 draft and go from there.

There was no point in waiting around and not doing anything a year or two ago. It was obvious that the team wasn't going to suddenly turn things around.

Really don't think it would be as easy to move Vuc, Derozan or Lavine as you present. Took forever to move Lavine and we still have Vuc, and they're having career shooting years. We were debating if it would actually cost us assets to move them. Again, we didn't have our first in 2023, nothing to be gained from tanking. He tried to trade Zach and Vuc the next year. Think Zach might have been on the block the year before.

Just think it's quibbling over hypotheticals that can't be proven, and are marginal if they could. Unless you think we get significant assets in those trades. We didn't have a pick in 2023 and got Matas in 2024. Maybe we pick a little higher in 2024 and don't get Matas, or pick higher and still get Matas. Maybe we don't get our pick in this draft if we trade Lavine last year and the Spurs aren't in the deal. We could still get future assets for Vuc. Again, don't think we're greatly better off right now moving Lavine or Demar a year or two sooner.

[Dan Z]

They won 46 games because Lonzo only played 35 before he got injured. They were on pace for a much better record, and certainly no guaranteed first round out. They wouldn't haven't even seen the Bucks in the first round.

The Bulls don't get great draft capital trading Derozan and Vuc. They just got a first for Zach, don't think he was getting more than that. Don't think it would have been easier or we get more for Vucevic with more years on his contract either. We could still end up with draft capital superior to what we would have gotten. Ony one we could have gotten more for is Derozan. And I'd say trading Caruso for Giddey is very similar to trading a valuable vet for a high draft pick, he still had a year left on rookie contract.

Really don't think we have significantly more young player or draft assets if we traded Zach, Demar and Vuc 2 years ago, if that was even possible. Maybe an extra late first or a couple of seconds.

Trading them means we'd also lose more games and potentially have a higher pick. I think the 2nd pick they owed Orlando had protections on it?

If they had more assets (meaning something they get for DDR, Zach, Caruso, etc.) then that gives AK more to work with. Maybe he trades up in a draft? Or makes a trade for a young player? Who knows. He'd be moving in a new direction rather than wait it out until DDR's contract is over and Zach's value decreased. It's possible that the Bulls would go into this season with no Zach, DDR, or Vuc and can basically start with a clean slate (so to speak). Then develop Matas (and any other young player), get a top pick in the 2025 draft and go from there.

There was no point in waiting around and not doing anything a year or two ago. It was obvious that the team wasn't going to suddenly turn things around.

Really don't think it would be as easy to move Vuc, Derozan or Lavine as you present. Took forever to move Lavine and we still have Vuc, and they're having career shooting years. We were debating if it would actually cost us assets to move them. Again, we didn't have our first in 2023, nothing to be gained from tanking. He tried to trade Zach and Vuc the next year.

Just think it's quibbling over hypotheticals that can't be proven, and are marginal if they could. Unless you think we get significant assets in those trades. We didn't have a pick in 2023 and got Matas in 2024. Maybe we pick a little higher in 2024 and don't get Matas, or pick higher and still get Matas. Maybe we don't get our pick in this draft if we trade Lavine last year and the Spurs aren't in the deal. We could still get future assets for Vuc. Again, don't think we're greatly better off right now moving Lavine or Demar a year or two sooner.

I think AK should've moved on as soon as he could from the big 3 (Zach, DDR, and Vucevic) because it was obvious that it wasn't working. Signing a guy like Beverley mid-season wasn't going to change that. Does that mean things work out better had he done that? Who knows, but I felt like it was a waste of time continuing with that team as is.

I agree with you...we're quibbling over hypotheticals and have gone off on an tangent (away from my original point).

[Infinity2152]

Trading them means we'd also lose more games and potentially have a higher pick. I think the 2nd pick they owed Orlando had protections on it?

If they had more assets (meaning something they get for DDR, Zach, Caruso, etc.) then that gives AK more to work with. Maybe he trades up in a draft? Or makes a trade for a young player? Who knows. He'd be moving in a new direction rather than wait it out until DDR's contract is over and Zach's value decreased. It's possible that the Bulls would go into this season with no Zach, DDR, or Vuc and can basically start with a clean slate (so to speak). Then develop Matas (and any other young player), get a top pick in the 2025 draft and go from there.

There was no point in waiting around and not doing anything a year or two ago. It was obvious that the team wasn't going to suddenly turn things around.

Really don't think it would be as easy to move Vuc, Derozan or Lavine as you present. Took forever to move Lavine and we still have Vuc, and they're having career shooting years. We were debating if it would actually cost us assets to move them. Again, we didn't have our first in 2023, nothing to be gained from tanking. He tried to trade Zach and Vuc the next year.

Just think it's quibbling over hypotheticals that can't be proven, and are marginal if they could. Unless you think we get significant assets in those trades. We didn't have a pick in 2023 and got Matas in 2024. Maybe we pick a little higher in 2024 and don't get Matas, or pick higher and still get Matas. Maybe we don't get our pick in this draft if we trade Lavine last year and the Spurs aren't in the deal. We could still get future assets for Vuc. Again, don't think we're greatly better off right now moving Lavine or Demar a year or two sooner.

I think AK should've moved on as soon as he could from the big 3 (Zach, DDR, and Vucevic) because it was obvious that it wasn't working. Signing a guy like Beverley mid-season wasn't going to change that. Does that mean things work out better had he done that? Who knows, but I felt like it was a waste of time continuing with that team as is.

I agree with you...we're quibbling over hypotheticals and have gone off on an tangent (away from my original point).

Yeah, I mean, imo we're in a better position now than when he got here. We have all our draft picks back, and could get a lottery pick this year. No really big contracts, and the only ones looming are for young players. Lot of money expiring in a year, when we'll be adding another draft pick. Hopefully we can move Vuc or Collins this summer but worst case they're expiring. One or two bad contracts, Pat and Carter, but they're not huge and Carter could be gone. Don't think having Coby, Matas, Giddey, Smith plus a lottery pick this year and a ton of cap in 2026 is a bad spot to be in.

Pat's contract is the main thing holding us back from really splashing summer 2026 and hopefully he can do something about that. If they can convince Coby to take the extension, home run. Don't know why Jalen Smith doesn't play more, his per 36 (19.7 pts, 13.3 rbs, 1.7 blocks), he could be our center of the future if he can handle the minutes.

[Dan Z]

Really don't think it would be as easy to move Vuc, Derozan or Lavine as you present. Took forever to move Lavine and we still have Vuc, and they're having career shooting years. We were debating if it would actually cost us assets to move them. Again, we didn't have our first in 2023, nothing to be gained from tanking. He tried to trade Zach and Vuc the next year.

Just think it's quibbling over hypotheticals that can't be proven, and are marginal if they could. Unless you think we get significant assets in those trades. We didn't have a pick in 2023 and got Matas in 2024. Maybe we pick a little higher in 2024 and don't get Matas, or pick higher and still get Matas. Maybe we don't get our pick in this draft if we trade Lavine last year and the Spurs aren't in the deal. We could still get future assets for Vuc. Again, don't think we're greatly better off right now moving Lavine or Demar a year or two sooner.

I think AK should've moved on as soon as he could from the big 3 (Zach, DDR, and Vucevic) because it was obvious that it wasn't working. Signing a guy like Beverley mid-season wasn't going to change that. Does that mean things work out better had he done that? Who knows, but I felt like it was a waste of time continuing with that team as is.

I agree with you...we're quibbling over hypotheticals and have gone off on an tangent (away from my original point).

Yeah, I mean, imo we're in a better position now than when he got here. We have all our draft picks back, and could get a lottery pick this year. No really big contracts, and the only ones looming are for young players. Lot of money expiring in a year, when we'll be adding another draft pick. Hopefully we can move Vuc or Collins this summer but worst case they're expiring. One or two bad contracts, Pat and Carter, but they're not huge and Carter could be gone. Don't think having Coby, Matas, Giddey, Smith plus a lottery pick this year and a ton of cap in 2026 is a bad spot to be in.

Pat's contract is the main thing holding us back from really splashing summer 2026 and hopefully he can do something about that. If they can convince Coby to take the extension, home run. Don't know why Jalen Smith doesn't play more, his per 36 (19.7 pts, 13.3 rbs, 1.7 blocks), he could be our center of the future if he can handle the minutes.

It would be nice to have a higher pick, but maybe the Bulls get lucky in the lottery...?

I'm concerned about Giddey's contract, and then Coby's extension, because I don't want AK to lock into this roster too much. I'd like some flexibility because they need more talent so they can really compete.

But I am glad to see Giddey and Matas improve plus Coby playing well with them.

[Dan Z]

Really don't think it would be as easy to move Vuc, Derozan or Lavine as you present. Took forever to move Lavine and we still have Vuc, and they're having career shooting years. We were debating if it would actually cost us assets to move them. Again, we didn't have our first in 2023, nothing to be gained from tanking. He tried to trade Zach and Vuc the next year.

Just think it's quibbling over hypotheticals that can't be proven, and are marginal if they could. Unless you think we get significant assets in those trades. We didn't have a pick in 2023 and got Matas in 2024. Maybe we pick a little higher in 2024 and don't get Matas, or pick higher and still get Matas. Maybe we don't get our pick in this draft if we trade Lavine last year and the Spurs aren't in the deal. We could still get future assets for Vuc. Again, don't think we're greatly better off right now moving Lavine or Demar a year or two sooner.

I think AK should've moved on as soon as he could from the big 3 (Zach, DDR, and Vucevic) because it was obvious that it wasn't working. Signing a guy like Beverley mid-season wasn't going to change that. Does that mean things work out better had he done that? Who knows, but I felt like it was a waste of time continuing with that team as is.

I agree with you...we're quibbling over hypotheticals and have gone off on an tangent (away from my original point).

Yeah, I mean, imo we're in a better position now than when he got here. We have all our draft picks back, and could get a lottery pick this year. No really big contracts, and the only ones looming are for young players. Lot of money expiring in a year, when we'll be adding another draft pick. Hopefully we can move Vuc or Collins this summer but worst case they're expiring. One or two bad contracts, Pat and Carter, but they're not huge and Carter could be gone. Don't think having Coby, Matas, Giddey, Smith plus a lottery pick this year and a ton of cap in 2026 is a bad spot to be in.

Pat's contract is the main thing holding us back from really splashing summer 2026 and hopefully he can do something about that. If they can convince Coby to take the extension, home run. Don't know why Jalen Smith doesn't play more, his per 36 (19.7 pts, 13.3 rbs, 1.7 blocks), he could be our center of the future if he can handle the minutes.

Now I remember the 2023 season. That year the Bulls pick was protected 1-4 and I wanted them to tank to try and keep it. At best they get Wemby and the future of the franchise changes. At worst Orlando gets the 5th pick and the Bulls no longer owes them.

I also didn't think the team was going anywhere and that the season was going to be forgettable (it was) so why not take a chance, even if it was a long shot?

[Chi town]

What makes me believe in Buz becoming not just good or great but actually elite was the air ball 3 followed by no hesitation in knocking down the corner 3 a min later to basically seal the game.

[NecessaryEvil]

Happy where we are. Three young lottery talents getting better by the game.

[ScrantonBulls]

That was the year that the end of year meaningless wins took them out of a chance to draft in the top 5 where 4 out of the top 5 picks ended up having Hall of Fame Careers. I guess those end of season wins really must have been worth it.

That's why I'll never understand the people who cry about fans that want loses/tanking so we can get better draft position. Are they so short sighted that they can't see the benefit to getting a better draft spot? It's crazy to me.

It's pretty simple.

One, it's cheating. Deliberately losing and/or making your team worse is the opposite of what the NBA wants and horrible for sports. Like those people who bowl bad when they join a league so they can get more pins. Some people don't think shady moves pay off. Worst part of the season is the end, when teams are fighting to lose more games rather than win.

Two. You're not guaranteed a higher pick anyway, especially if you're not a bottom 3 team. The year we drafted Derrick Rose we had a 1.7% chance. Most teams in the lottery will not draft at their predicted position.

Three: People watch basketball for different reasons. Many for love of the game, not championship aspirations. If it's all about championships, you guys can stop watching and following the Bulls for the next 3-4 years. Many people would much prefer to watch their team win 42 games than 20. Not about short-sighted. Much easier to go from a 42 win team to a 50-55 win team than a 20-win team.

Four: The old superstars in the league are still here every draft. If you draft the next Ja Morant or Paulo Banchero, you're still not winning for a very long time while Giannis, Luka, Tatum, Jokic, Wemby, etc are in the league.

Five: It's completely unfair and bad for young players already on the team. Wastes a year of their development, a year of them being on a cheap contract, for a slightly higher chance to move up in the draft and maybe avoid drafting Greg Oden or Patrick Williams.

Six: You can add a star in free agency. Lebron's moved several times, KD has, Harden has, Kyrie has, Brandon Ingram, Derozan has, Zach has, SGA added through trade. Lakers just got Luka, we've been talking about Zion and Ja.

Most recent championship superstars over the last decade include Giannis (late 1st), Jimmy Butler (late 1st), Steph Curry (#7 pick), Jokic (second round pick), SGA (#11, not there yet but MVP level), Jayson Tatum (#3 pick). Tatum's drafted the highest and is the worst of the bunch, needs a fully loaded All Star. team to win.

Maybe focus on building your team the right way, Draft well at your positions like SA usually does, add rising young players like OKC did with the Paul George trade, find second round free agents gems, overseas players like Yabusele, castoffs like Patty Mills. Develop your own young players. Trade veteran players for picks from other teams, so you don't have to suck to get a high draft pick. Like the reigning champs did.

So many ways to improve your team without tanking, yet people keep wanting to focus on the worst, lowest probability way to add a star. You damn near have to be a bottom 3-4 team to significantly improve your draft odds at a top pick. Sad when people claiming to be fans are the people rooting for the team to lose. Who's going to root for our young guys to win then? Who's standing behind Coby, Ball, Giddey, Matas, Zach, Vucevic, Smith, Ayo, guys who play their hearts out for us and represent this team with honor and no problems, if not their own fans?

The fact that most years there are star drafted 5 and later makes it even worse. The 8th worst team has a 32% chance of getting a top 4 pick. The worst team has a 14% chance of getting the number 1 pick. And guys are pinning their dreams on Cooper Flagg. Not a single one of these draftees looks like they'll be the number 1 on a championship team, though one or two could surprise.

"I like the cut of your jib. You're hired! Together we will strive to make the Play-In on a yearly basis."

[Infinity2152]

That's why I'll never understand the people who cry about fans that want loses/tanking so we can get better draft position. Are they so short sighted that they can't see the benefit to getting a better draft spot? It's crazy to me.

It's pretty simple.

One, it's cheating. Deliberately losing and/or making your team worse is the opposite of what the NBA wants and horrible for sports. Like those people who bowl bad when they join a league so they can get more pins. Some people don't think shady moves pay off. Worst part of the season is the end, when teams are fighting to lose more games rather than win.

Two. You're not guaranteed a higher pick anyway, especially if you're not a bottom 3 team. The year we drafted Derrick Rose we had a 1.7% chance. Most teams in the lottery will not draft at their predicted position.

Three: People watch basketball for different reasons. Many for love of the game, not championship aspirations. If it's all about championships, you guys can stop watching and following the Bulls for the next 3-4 years. Many people would much prefer to watch their team win 42 games than 20. Not about short-sighted. Much easier to go from a 42 win team to a 50-55 win team than a 20-win team.

Four: The old superstars in the league are still here every draft. If you draft the next Ja Morant or Paulo Banchero, you're still not winning for a very long time while Giannis, Luka, Tatum, Jokic, Wemby, etc are in the league.

Five: It's completely unfair and bad for young players already on the team. Wastes a year of their development, a year of them being on a cheap contract, for a slightly higher chance to move up in the draft and maybe avoid drafting Greg Oden or Patrick Williams.

Six: You can add a star in free agency. Lebron's moved several times, KD has, Harden has, Kyrie has, Brandon Ingram, Derozan has, Zach has, SGA added through trade. Lakers just got Luka, we've been talking about Zion and Ja.

Most recent championship superstars over the last decade include Giannis (late 1st), Jimmy Butler (late 1st), Steph Curry (#7 pick), Jokic (second round pick), SGA (#11, not there yet but MVP level), Jayson Tatum (#3 pick). Tatum's drafted the highest and is the worst of the bunch, needs a fully loaded All Star. team to win.

Maybe focus on building your team the right way, Draft well at your positions like SA usually does, add rising young players like OKC did with the Paul George trade, find second round free agents gems, overseas players like Yabusele, castoffs like Patty Mills. Develop your own young players. Trade veteran players for picks from other teams, so you don't have to suck to get a high draft pick. Like the reigning champs did.

So many ways to improve your team without tanking, yet people keep wanting to focus on the worst, lowest probability way to add a star. You damn near have to be a bottom 3-4 team to significantly improve your draft odds at a top pick. Sad when people claiming to be fans are the people rooting for the team to lose. Who's going to root for our young guys to win then? Who's standing behind Coby, Ball, Giddey, Matas, Zach, Vucevic, Smith, Ayo, guys who play their hearts out for us and represent this team with honor and no problems, if not their own fans?

The fact that most years there are star drafted 5 and later makes it even worse. The 8th worst team has a 32% chance of getting a top 4 pick. The worst team has a 14% chance of getting the number 1 pick. And guys are pinning their dreams on Cooper Flagg. Not a single one of these draftees looks like they'll be the number 1 on a championship team, though one or two could surprise.

"I like the cut of your jib. You're hired! Together we will strive to make the Play-In on a yearly basis."

https://cdn.quotesgram.com/img/19/1/1640901054-00e895afe4859d3b095ec59a81ca8b9d.jpg

Cheaters never win, and losers always cheat.

[pipfan]

Let's keep these three, use the Port pick for a young talent on the bench (Whitmore/Dieng two best guys not getting minutes) and pick BPA at #11
Hell, just keep Vuc if nothing comes up this summer
White/Ayo/JCarter
Ball/Huerter/Terry
Giddey/PWill/Phillips
Matas/Dieng
Vuc/Collins/Smith
Plus the #11 pick

Tons of expiring contracts and plenty of young talent. We could make a move for a star, or keep developing the talent and see if cap space can lure a star next summer. With this plan, have to let Jones go (no minutes for him anyway). We could cut Carter and resign Jones, but he'd have to take a 1+1 deal

[eierluke]

I'd prefer the patient path, let's see how these guys grow together for one more year.
In case we want to win a championship, we however need an addional piece: a player with MVP potential.
Giddey already can do a lot of good things to make others better and will improve - but he lacks (and won't learn that) the ball handling paired with the ability to create a shot at will of a guy like Donic (who by the way is weaker in some other parts of the game)

[Ice Man]

You gotta build from somewhere. OKC didn't know when it started to build that SGA would be the league's MVP. Cleveland didn't have a true MVP candidate when it started its process, and it still doesn't. Nor does Boston (although Tatum is closer).

One of those 3 teams will quite likely win the title this year, yet none of them started to build around a guy who was regarded at the time as being a superstar. (As with, say, Wemby, Luka, or ZIon when they were rookies.)

My point being, we need not and should not await lottery-pick magic. Let's start with these 3 guys, see if they continue to improve, and if they do continue to improve, figure out how to find the additional pieces that we need. Because now, for the first time in several years, we actually have something.

[MrSparkle]

Yeah, I’d dare someone challenge and say they’re not having fun with this trio. If anything, they’re playing fun, good basketball. And they’re 20/22/25, which is as young as any competent core in the NBA tends to be.

The real intriguing question is what if we DON’T build around Vuc and Pat. $40M off the books on 2 tank commanders. I acknowledge either can have a good shooting night and help (I don’t entire take Vuc’s offense for granted), but overall what a handicap.

If they managed to get JJJ in 26 free agency, it’d be a pretty interesting state of affairs. Not to mention another solid draft pick.

[CROBulls]

You gotta build from somewhere. OKC didn't know when it started to build that SGA would be the league's MVP. Cleveland didn't have a true MVP candidate when it started its process, and it still doesn't. Nor does Boston (although Tatum is closer).

One of those 3 teams will quite likely win the title this year, yet none of them started to build around a guy who was regarded at the time as being a superstar. (As with, say, Wemby, Luka, or ZIon when they were rookies.)

My point being, we need not and should not await lottery-pick magic. Let's start with these 3 guys, see if they continue to improve, and if they do continue to improve, figure out how to find the additional pieces that we need. Because now, for the first time in several years, we actually have something.

OKC still went to rebuild. Despite aquiring SGA in a deal. They aquired all picks and still got Chet in meantime. Can you remind me with which pick Chet was drafted? I stand my point. They also drafted and drafted and drafted. Can you remind me with which pick they got Giddey?

Can we stop this fake narratives. It's draft. You build through draft. Its where you pick players to get good. You dont wait for magically some stupid GM gift you Luka for scrub

[coldfish]

https://www.basketball-reference.com/contracts/CHI.html

IMO, the team should extend Coby and Giddey to the lowest contracts they can. Then do what they can to dump Patrick.

End result will be that the team has Cody and Giddey and a few picks on the payroll in 2026. They will be in real good shape to do something, much like Detroit just did.

For the first time in a few years, it looks like the Bulls have a future. Its my hope that AK doesn't panic and cash it all in on another fake star like Vucevic.

[sco]

Don't know if our core is good enough to build a contender from, but I'm optimistic that they will improve from here. I think that the biggest key to unlocking Matas will be dumping Vuc and have Matas step into the 3rd option role next season. I also want to see what a rotation of: Coby Giddey Buzelis, Ball, Jones, Collins, Huerter, Smith and our pick looks like. Ideally we can get another asset by trading Ayo/Por 1st. Pat's salary will be a drag, but a manageable one.

[DuckIII]

You gotta build from somewhere. OKC didn't know when it started to build that SGA would be the league's MVP. Cleveland didn't have a true MVP candidate when it started its process, and it still doesn't. Nor does Boston (although Tatum is closer).

One of those 3 teams will quite likely win the title this year, yet none of them started to build around a guy who was regarded at the time as being a superstar. (As with, say, Wemby, Luka, or ZIon when they were rookies.)

My point being, we need not and should not await lottery-pick magic. Let's start with these 3 guys, see if they continue to improve, and if they do continue to improve, figure out how to find the additional pieces that we need. Because now, for the first time in several years, we actually have something.

What are you guys even debating anymore? The Bulls are clearly building around Giddey, Coby and Buzelis. And I don’t really even see anyone who doesn’t want them to do that.

The Bulls real situation vs. the strategic benefits of tanking are not intersecting here. The only issue for debate is how quickly AK should attempt to add “impact” players to hasten wins.

[sco]

You gotta build from somewhere. OKC didn't know when it started to build that SGA would be the league's MVP. Cleveland didn't have a true MVP candidate when it started its process, and it still doesn't. Nor does Boston (although Tatum is closer).

One of those 3 teams will quite likely win the title this year, yet none of them started to build around a guy who was regarded at the time as being a superstar. (As with, say, Wemby, Luka, or ZIon when they were rookies.)

My point being, we need not and should not await lottery-pick magic. Let's start with these 3 guys, see if they continue to improve, and if they do continue to improve, figure out how to find the additional pieces that we need. Because now, for the first time in several years, we actually have something.

What are you guys even debating anymore? The Bulls are clearly building around Giddey, Coby and Buzelis. And I don’t really even see anyone who doesn’t want them to do that.

The Bulls real situation vs. the strategic benefits of tanking are not intersecting here. The only issue for debate is how quickly AK should attempt to add “impact” players to hasten wins.

I'll add that coming into the season, I was under the impression that we had zero young players who were good enough to build around. Matas was just someone I couldn't rule out because he hadn't played. Now we're looking at having 3 core pieces. That's amazing. I would have thought we were 3 seasons from being here.

[DuckIII]

Its my hope that AK doesn't panic and cash it all in on another fake star like Vucevic.

Did you enjoy Adam and Stacey’s discussion last night about the rumor of the Bulls trading for Sabonis this summer?