NBA Trade Thread #11

[Infinity2152]

What does AK wanting to win rather than tank even look like at this point? He's not the coach, doubt he has anything to do with line-ups or minutes, and we're past the trade deadline. Is there anything he can really do at this point to affect our wins-losses this season? No choice but to play the young guys, that's all we have besides Vuc, lol!

[Dan Z]

What does AK wanting to win rather than tank even look like at this point? He's not the coach, doubt he has anything to do with line-ups or minutes, and we're past the trade deadline. Is there anything he can really do at this point to affect our wins-losses this season? No choice but to play the young guys, that's all we have besides Vuc, lol!

Teams tank all the time. Rest vets, let them take their time with injuries, play the young guys, etc.

The Jazz are doing that this season.

[Dan Z]

Seems like the opposite is true:

AK has changed direction (by trading DeRozan, Caruso, and Zach), but still says the same platitudes about playoffs, competitiveness, etc.

So, he hasn't changed direction then? He's just traded for a younger player, smaller contracts, control of their FRPs back and a 2nd round pick.

There is no good-faith argument that he hasn't changed direction. His disastrous attempt to build a competitor failed, so he has traded away 3/4 of its main pieces, and it's been widely reported he'll try to move Vooch again this summer.

I think it's less clear that the Bulls are "blowing it up" in the conventional sense, versus trying to shortcut the rebuild with things like the Giddey trade. I'd agree it looks like AK is not teeing things up for what a lot of us probably think is the "right" kind of rebuild - taking bad money, acquiring tons of draft capital, accepting sucking for multiple years, etc.

It seems like he wants to get young players, take a step back on wins and losses, and have a boatload of cap space in 2026. At best, I think he's going after a 2-year mini-tank. I'm not arguing this is good or smart, but it's also not "same old, same old."

I suppose that is different than trading the teams future lottery picks for aging vets that lead the team nowhere.

Yep - he's acknowledged that version 1.0 didn't work and is shifting gears. That's good. But I have no particular faith that 2.0 is going to go any better, other than having some degree of hope that Matas is a dude.

Who is AK looking to get in 2026 with cap space?

I doubt any star will reach free agency and if they did the Bulls won't be a top destination. He's delusional if he's thinking 2026 and cap space is the plan.

[jnrjr79]

So, he hasn't changed direction then? He's just traded for a younger player, smaller contracts, control of their FRPs back and a 2nd round pick.

There is no good-faith argument that he hasn't changed direction. His disastrous attempt to build a competitor failed, so he has traded away 3/4 of its main pieces, and it's been widely reported he'll try to move Vooch again this summer.

I think it's less clear that the Bulls are "blowing it up" in the conventional sense, versus trying to shortcut the rebuild with things like the Giddey trade. I'd agree it looks like AK is not teeing things up for what a lot of us probably think is the "right" kind of rebuild - taking bad money, acquiring tons of draft capital, accepting sucking for multiple years, etc.

It seems like he wants to get young players, take a step back on wins and losses, and have a boatload of cap space in 2026. At best, I think he's going after a 2-year mini-tank. I'm not arguing this is good or smart, but it's also not "same old, same old."

I suppose that is different than trading the teams future lottery picks for aging vets that lead the team nowhere.

Yep - he's acknowledged that version 1.0 didn't work and is shifting gears. That's good. But I have no particular faith that 2.0 is going to go any better, other than having some degree of hope that Matas is a dude.

Who is AK looking to get in 2026 with cap space?

I doubt any star will reach free agency and if they did the Bulls won't be a top destination. He's delusional if he's thinking 2026 and cap space is the plan.

Yeah, I have no faith in the plan, but given the lack of likely available FAs, I assume the plan is to use the cap space to try to bring a big name in via S&T. I posted another thread today getting into what it appears to me he thinks he is doing.

[Dan Z]

There is no good-faith argument that he hasn't changed direction. His disastrous attempt to build a competitor failed, so he has traded away 3/4 of its main pieces, and it's been widely reported he'll try to move Vooch again this summer.

I think it's less clear that the Bulls are "blowing it up" in the conventional sense, versus trying to shortcut the rebuild with things like the Giddey trade. I'd agree it looks like AK is not teeing things up for what a lot of us probably think is the "right" kind of rebuild - taking bad money, acquiring tons of draft capital, accepting sucking for multiple years, etc.

It seems like he wants to get young players, take a step back on wins and losses, and have a boatload of cap space in 2026. At best, I think he's going after a 2-year mini-tank. I'm not arguing this is good or smart, but it's also not "same old, same old."



Yep - he's acknowledged that version 1.0 didn't work and is shifting gears. That's good. But I have no particular faith that 2.0 is going to go any better, other than having some degree of hope that Matas is a dude.

Who is AK looking to get in 2026 with cap space?

I doubt any star will reach free agency and if they did the Bulls won't be a top destination. He's delusional if he's thinking 2026 and cap space is the plan.

Yeah, I have no faith in the plan, but given the lack of likely available FAs, I assume the plan is to use the cap space to try to bring a big name in via S&T. I posted another thread today getting into what it appears to me he thinks he is doing.

If a S&T is a big part of his plan then he should do what he can to acquire first round picks (because he might need them for a S&T).

[sco]

Who is AK looking to get in 2026 with cap space?

I doubt any star will reach free agency and if they did the Bulls won't be a top destination. He's delusional if he's thinking 2026 and cap space is the plan.

Yeah, I have no faith in the plan, but given the lack of likely available FAs, I assume the plan is to use the cap space to try to bring a big name in via S&T. I posted another thread today getting into what it appears to me he thinks he is doing.

If a S&T is a big part of his plan then he should do what he can to acquire first round picks (because he might need them for a S&T).

I think a S&T this offseason should be the strategy, but I don't think we'll have enough cap space to go after anyone interesting. My current #1 idea is to go after Kuminga. GS with Jimmy's extension is up against the 2nd apron and there's a good chance that they won't be able to match an offer in the 20's.

[jnrjr79]

Who is AK looking to get in 2026 with cap space?

I doubt any star will reach free agency and if they did the Bulls won't be a top destination. He's delusional if he's thinking 2026 and cap space is the plan.

Yeah, I have no faith in the plan, but given the lack of likely available FAs, I assume the plan is to use the cap space to try to bring a big name in via S&T. I posted another thread today getting into what it appears to me he thinks he is doing.

If a S&T is a big part of his plan then he should do what he can to acquire first round picks (because he might need them for a S&T).

I think the Zach trade was the first part, because it gave the Bulls back control of their own picks. I assume they shop Coby and Vooch this summer, but don’t know that they’ll get any 1sts in those deals. But even a handful of seconds combined with say 3 future 1sts of their own starts to become a fairly solid package as these things go.

[jnrjr79]

Yeah, I have no faith in the plan, but given the lack of likely available FAs, I assume the plan is to use the cap space to try to bring a big name in via S&T. I posted another thread today getting into what it appears to me he thinks he is doing.

If a S&T is a big part of his plan then he should do what he can to acquire first round picks (because he might need them for a S&T).

I think a S&T this offseason should be the strategy, but I don't think we'll have enough cap space to go after anyone interesting. My current #1 idea is to go after Kuminga. GS with Jimmy's extension is up against the 2nd apron and there's a good chance that they won't be able to match an offer in the 20's.

They don’t project to have any cap space at all this offseason, so yeah, if cap space is the plan, it’s a 2026 plan. They do have control back over their own picks now, so they have those to offer, but they’d need to be doing salary matching (and do have expirings to ofer for that purpose).

[ChettheJet]

Who is AK looking to get in 2026 with cap space?

I doubt any star will reach free agency and if they did the Bulls won't be a top destination. He's delusional if he's thinking 2026 and cap space is the plan.

The summer of 2026 isn't the only plan and I believe AK sees that. He can start trading those expiring contracts prior to and after this draft, some can go at the next deadline and depending on who it is waived after the deadline or they can just expire for cap space.

You've got to see what teams fail and by how much in the playoffs this year, how many GMs and/or coaches get fired when the season ends. Some of those teams want to add the one guy on an expiring to keep their window open one last year. You can get a pick and some youth there. Some tanking teams want to tear it down farther and move a player with 2 more years for an expiring. Some teams might want to trade out of their 26th draft slot to save the guaranteed contract, PORT comes to mind with so many payers under contract, they give 2 to get one and their pick. Who knows what that FO is thinking but what if they would take Coby White and drop the protection on that pick? Anything is possible now days.

[sco]

https://sports.yahoo.com/huerter-shades-choppy-kings-offense-121635560.html

[Chi town]

Has anything come out about what was offered for Coby?

[WesPeace]

Yeah, I have no faith in the plan, but given the lack of likely available FAs, I assume the plan is to use the cap space to try to bring a big name in via S&T. I posted another thread today getting into what it appears to me he thinks he is doing.

If a S&T is a big part of his plan then he should do what he can to acquire first round picks (because he might need them for a S&T).

I think a S&T this offseason should be the strategy, but I don't think we'll have enough cap space to go after anyone interesting. My current #1 idea is to go after Kuminga. GS with Jimmy's extension is up against the 2nd apron and there's a good chance that they won't be able to match an offer in the 20's.

Kuminga? He is modern PF, same as Matas.. we dont want that.

[patryk7754]

I have a feeling that the strategy of having 9-11 good players won't get out of competing for a play-in spot. If we want to avoid another 4-5 year stretch of being mediocre at best, I think we need to pull off a Mitchell to Cavs type trade. I only say this because I think we are actually in a decent spot roster wise. And I think it has to happen this off-season because this will be the last time in a while we have the contracts to match a superstar's contract.

The Mitchell to Cavs trade included 3 unprotected 1sts and two pick swaps. That's steep but it could be worth it.

White, Vucevic, and Williams plus a combo of picks (not including the 2025 pick) should be a solid package for a star that would become available. The four that come to mind are Giannis, Booker, Trae Young, and Embiid. I think Booker, Young, and Embiid would be done with their situation and Giannis could be if they have another underwhelming postseason. Giannis would obviously be the number one choice and then it would be Booker, young, and Embiid (too many injury concerns) in that order. Out of those four, I think booker or young would be the most likely and I'd prefer Booker. Before residing anyone and doing a trade for someone like Booker, we'd have around 49m in cap (based on a 170m cap). That would let us Sign at least one major FA, one really good player and one solid role player. Then resign our own players.

If we can supplement the addition of a star with signing Naz Reid and drafting a top 5 player in this draft (I'll use Flagg as a placeholder) then I think we are ready to compete in less than two years. Resign sign a Tre Jones and Giddey (possible trade bait)

Lonzo/Jones/Giddey
Booker/Huerter/Giddey
Flagg/Ayo/Terry
Matas/Smith
Reid/Collins

I think that's an extremely well-balanced team that will be competitive in 2026 and be a legit top 5 team in the east by 2027. The only think I would say is that it would be preferable to add a vet SF or PF and move Matas to the bench. It would have to be a FA move and some players that could work are Brandin Ingram, Kris Middleton, or Julius Randle (if he opts out). The most likely would be Middleton. Getting another shooter off the bench would be ideal as well. Nickeil Alexander-Walker would be ideal but I don't think we'd be able to afford him. Luke Kennard or Bogdanovic would be nice as well and be a lot cheaper (especially Bodgonovic)

Lonzo/Giddey/Jones
Booker/Huerter/Ayo
Middleton/Alexander-Walker/Ayo
Flagg/Matas/Smith
Reid/Smith/Collins

That's a better-than-solid team, and if we still feel the need to upgrade at the deadline, Collins and Huerter would combine for around 30m and we could probably through in Middleton.

[WesPeace]

Just big hell NO to Trae Young! Booker aint all that either, Embiid - health issues all the time..

Only one Giannis from that list, to be worth it..

[Dan Z]

Just big hell NO to Trae Young! Booker aint all that either, Embiid - health issues all the time..

Only one Giannis from that list, to be worth it..

Bulls don't have the assets to get Giannis.

[sco]

Just big hell NO to Trae Young! Booker aint all that either, Embiid - health issues all the time..

Only one Giannis from that list, to be worth it..

If Booker became available, I'd go all in with him.

[WesPeace]

Just big hell NO to Trae Young! Booker aint all that either, Embiid - health issues all the time..

Only one Giannis from that list, to be worth it..

Bulls don't have the assets to get Giannis.

In free agency...but thats 2027-28

[prolific passer]

Just big hell NO to Trae Young! Booker aint all that either, Embiid - health issues all the time..

Only one Giannis from that list, to be worth it..

Bulls don't have the assets to get Giannis.

In free agency...but thats 2027-28

By that time he'll be the right age to join the bulls

[Bulldog23]

Just big hell NO to Trae Young! Booker aint all that either, Embiid - health issues all the time..

Only one Giannis from that list, to be worth it..

AK would love Tre Young. Offense and no defense.

[PJSteven22]

I have a feeling that the strategy of having 9-11 good players won't get out of competing for a play-in spot. If we want to avoid another 4-5 year stretch of being mediocre at best, I think we need to pull off a Mitchell to Cavs type trade.I only say this because I think we are actually in a decent spot roster wise. And I think it has to happen this off-season because this will be the last time in a while we have the contracts to match a superstar's contract.

The Mitchell to Cavs trade included 3 unprotected 1sts and two pick swaps. That's steep but it could be worth it.

White, Vucevic, and Williams plus a combo of picks (not including the 2025 pick) should be a solid package for a star that would become available. The four that come to mind are Giannis, Booker, Trae Young, and Embiid. I think Booker, Young, and Embiid would be done with their situation and Giannis could be if they have another underwhelming postseason. Giannis would obviously be the number one choice and then it would be Booker, young, and Embiid (too many injury concerns) in that order. Out of those four, I think booker or young would be the most likely and I'd prefer Booker. Before residing anyone and doing a trade for someone like Booker, we'd have around 49m in cap (based on a 170m cap). That would let us Sign at least one major FA, one really good player and one solid role player. Then resign our own players.

If we can supplement the addition of a star with signing Naz Reid and drafting a top 5 player in this draft (I'll use Flagg as a placeholder) then I think we are ready to compete in less than two years. Resign sign a Tre Jones and Giddey (possible trade bait)

Lonzo/Jones/Giddey
Booker/Huerter/Giddey
Flagg/Ayo/Terry
Matas/Smith
Reid/Collins

I think that's an extremely well-balanced team that will be competitive in 2026 and be a legit top 5 team in the east by 2027. The only think I would say is that it would be preferable to add a vet SF or PF and move Matas to the bench. It would have to be a FA move and some players that could work are Brandin Ingram, Kris Middleton, or Julius Randle (if he opts out). The most likely would be Middleton. Getting another shooter off the bench would be ideal as well. Nickeil Alexander-Walker would be ideal but I don't think we'd be able to afford him. Luke Kennard or Bogdanovic would be nice as well and be a lot cheaper (especially Bodgonovic)

Lonzo/Giddey/Jones
Booker/Huerter/Ayo
Middleton/Alexander-Walker/Ayo
Flagg/Matas/Smith
Reid/Smith/Collins

That's a better-than-solid team, and if we still feel the need to upgrade at the deadline, Collins and Huerter would combine for around 30m and we could probably through in Middleton.

We don’t have the assets to pull off a trade like that. We didn’t have the young core that Cleveland had at the time either.