If AK wants to win as much as possible this season, what's a good plan?

[Stratmaster]

Some notes.

The Bulls have 12 players under contract who are under 25 and are the 10th youngest team in the league.

3 of those are 2-way contracts. The other 9 have ALL seen significant playing time.

The Bulls have 5 players over 25. Of those, only 3 (Zach,Vuc,Lonzo) have seen significant playing time.

Help me understand again how getting rid of the 3 fringe all-star players over 25, in order to get a pick back and make it 13 players under 25; none of whom project to be anything other than fringe starters (Matas too early to tell) is a strategy to improve this team.

How about we use some of the 12 young assets we already have accumulated? Can't keep them all forever.

I think the answer is that none of the 12 young assets are worth a whole lot at this time (except Matas).

4,6,7,10,11,18 and 3 2nd rounders. That is the draft positions for the 9 players 25 or under who are seeing playing time of any significance. One of the 2nd rounders is currently the best producing player of the bunch.

So if none of them are worth much, why would anyone be so sure that a 8-10 pick this draft is going to be worth much?

The only reason to tank for that pick is the misguided hope that the tank can be accomplished and the Bulls will get lucky and move up to the top of the draft board in the lottery. If that were a reasonable approach then about 22 teams should all be trying to lose. Except only 12 can miss the play-in.

Adding a 10th "young asset" that we don't know what to do with doesn't help anything.

[sco]

Some notes.

The Bulls have 12 players under contract who are under 25 and are the 10th youngest team in the league.

3 of those are 2-way contracts. The other 9 have ALL seen significant playing time.

The Bulls have 5 players over 25. Of those, only 3 (Zach,Vuc,Lonzo) have seen significant playing time.

Help me understand again how getting rid of the 3 fringe all-star players over 25, in order to get a pick back and make it 13 players under 25; none of whom project to be anything other than fringe starters (Matas too early to tell) is a strategy to improve this team.

How about we use some of the 12 young assets we already have accumulated? Can't keep them all forever.

I think the answer is that none of the 12 young assets are worth a whole lot at this time (except Matas).

4,6,7,10,11,18 and 3 2nd rounders. That is the draft positions for the 9 players 25 or under who are seeing playing time of any significance. One of the 2nd rounders is currently the best producing player of the bunch.

So if none of them are worth much, why would anyone be so sure that a 8-10 pick this draft is going to be worth much?

The only reason to tank for that pick is the misguided hope that the tank can be accomplished and the Bulls will get lucky and move up to the top of the draft board in the lottery. If that were a reasonable approach then about 22 teams should all be trying to lose. Except only 12 can miss the play-in.

Adding a 10th "young asset" that we don't know what to do with doesn't help anything.

Here's the answer. The chance that adding a pick, even in the 5 - 10 range, is going to be the foundational piece to build around is very low. But here's the thing, without adding a talent like that you cannot contend, and the only other option is to hope to luck into it via FA or trade, but those odds are even lower. The only other choice is probably the way AK's headed, which is to just try to compete without a top-tier guy, knowing that a championship will not be in the offing.

[Stratmaster]

I think the answer is that none of the 12 young assets are worth a whole lot at this time (except Matas).

4,6,7,10,11,18 and 3 2nd rounders. That is the draft positions for the 9 players 25 or under who are seeing playing time of any significance. One of the 2nd rounders is currently the best producing player of the bunch.

So if none of them are worth much, why would anyone be so sure that a 8-10 pick this draft is going to be worth much?

The only reason to tank for that pick is the misguided hope that the tank can be accomplished and the Bulls will get lucky and move up to the top of the draft board in the lottery. If that were a reasonable approach then about 22 teams should all be trying to lose. Except only 12 can miss the play-in.

Adding a 10th "young asset" that we don't know what to do with doesn't help anything.

Here's the answer. The chance that adding a pick, even in the 5 - 10 range, is going to be the foundational piece to build around is very low. But here's the thing, without adding a talent like that you cannot contend, and the only other option is to hope to luck into it via FA or trade, but those odds are even lower. The only other choice is probably the way AK's headed, which is to just try to compete without a top-tier guy, knowing that a championship will not be in the offing.

You are completely missing, or ignoring, the point. They already have at least 7 of those guys. 9 young assets 6 of which were picked in the 4 to 18 range. They have added a talent "like that". 7 of them. And have done nothing to convert those 7 players into 2 quality starters.

I'm not advocating for standing pat. Hey. That's a good name for our starting PF. "Standing Pat". Show us those young assets actually mean what they are supposed to. Package a couple with Craig and Carter and get a good player. Drafting more of them does nothing to move the needle.

[sco]

4,6,7,10,11,18 and 3 2nd rounders. That is the draft positions for the 9 players 25 or under who are seeing playing time of any significance. One of the 2nd rounders is currently the best producing player of the bunch.

So if none of them are worth much, why would anyone be so sure that a 8-10 pick this draft is going to be worth much?

The only reason to tank for that pick is the misguided hope that the tank can be accomplished and the Bulls will get lucky and move up to the top of the draft board in the lottery. If that were a reasonable approach then about 22 teams should all be trying to lose. Except only 12 can miss the play-in.

Adding a 10th "young asset" that we don't know what to do with doesn't help anything.

Here's the answer. The chance that adding a pick, even in the 5 - 10 range, is going to be the foundational piece to build around is very low. But here's the thing, without adding a talent like that you cannot contend, and the only other option is to hope to luck into it via FA or trade, but those odds are even lower. The only other choice is probably the way AK's headed, which is to just try to compete without a top-tier guy, knowing that a championship will not be in the offing.

You are completely missing, or ignoring, the point. They already have at least 7 of those guys. 9 young assets 6 of which were picked in the 4 to 18 range. They have added a talent "like that". 7 of them. And have done nothing to convert those 7 players into 2 quality starters.

I'm not advocating for standing pat. Hey. That's a good name for our starting PF. "Standing Pat". Show us those young assets actually mean what they are supposed to. Package a couple with Craig and Carter and get a good player. Drafting more of them does nothing to move the needle.

First, kudos on "standing Pat"!

My point is that those 7 guys you are referring to (excluding Matas) have shown enough already for us to know 100% that not a single one of them is that #1 option foundational player that you need to compete. So the tanking strategy has teams keep going to the lottery well until you get that guy. It is the worst strategy to get a team to contention...except for all the other strategies that are worse.

[Stratmaster]

Here's the answer. The chance that adding a pick, even in the 5 - 10 range, is going to be the foundational piece to build around is very low. But here's the thing, without adding a talent like that you cannot contend, and the only other option is to hope to luck into it via FA or trade, but those odds are even lower. The only other choice is probably the way AK's headed, which is to just try to compete without a top-tier guy, knowing that a championship will not be in the offing.

You are completely missing, or ignoring, the point. They already have at least 7 of those guys. 9 young assets 6 of which were picked in the 4 to 18 range. They have added a talent "like that". 7 of them. And have done nothing to convert those 7 players into 2 quality starters.

I'm not advocating for standing pat. Hey. That's a good name for our starting PF. "Standing Pat". Show us those young assets actually mean what they are supposed to. Package a couple with Craig and Carter and get a good player. Drafting more of them does nothing to move the needle.

First, kudos on "standing Pat"!

My point is that those 7 guys you are referring to (excluding Matas) have shown enough already for us to know 100% that not a single one of them is that #1 option foundational player that you need to compete. So the tanking strategy has teams keep going to the lottery well until you get that guy. It is the worst strategy to get a team to contention...except for all the other strategies that are worse.

Thanks.

I believe the Bulls have the assets to make the 2nd round of the playoffs next season with 1 decent move and a couple minor adds. I believe they are more likely to get a difference maker who can take them farther if they are a 2nd round playoff team than if they are a bottom dweller hoping to hit on lottery luck followed by pick luck (getting the right guy) followed by playing luck (that 18 year old actually pans out and is a real difference maker in his first few seasons). I have no patience for 3 seasons of horrible basketball while they draft, followed by 3 seasons of bad basketball because they are building around the new savior only to have the savior either fizzle out or leave in free agency at the end of their rookie contract.

So I will agree to disagree.

[MrSparkle]

What good would the Thunder be without Shai? Let alone him and Chet.

What good what the Magic build be without Franz? Double the trouble with Paolo.

One player can change the course of a team. Two make it a contender. Of the sub-25yo lot on this team, the only guy I have all-star hope for is Matas, and it’s very premature. He has unremarkable numbers and I can’t entirely pin it on Billy.

Pat and Coby, despite my long early optimism, have proven to be extremely run-of-the-mill players who are 4-8 rotation players at best, not top-2 options (not even a 3rd option, if guys like D’Lo and Wiggins can’t consistently cut it on short handed teams).

After that, Ayo and Phillips can be solid two-way players, but their numbers also indicate defensive role-players. OKC isn’t going to win a ring if their 3rd best player is Lu Dort.

That leaves Giddey. A guy I’m convinced is as injury prone as Lavine, Rose and Lonzo. For different reasons; he can’t keep up with NBA athleticism, so to make an aggressive play, he puts his ankles in intense danger. The few injury sprains I’ve seen have been self induced and borderline Shaqtin a Fool.

This Bulls FO just botched their best assets, and hindsight’s 20/20, but they’re about to botch another if they forfeit 11-14 to San Antonio. Drafting 8-10 this year and then owing Spurs next year’s top-8 prot. pick is also less desirable. Atleast just take a crack at this very solid top-5 draft.

[dougthonus]

Thanks.

I believe the Bulls have the assets to make the 2nd round of the playoffs next season with 1 decent move and a couple minor adds.

They haven't even been a 1st round playoff team for 2 years and don't project to be one this year. What "decent move" and "minor adds" do you think have them go to the 2nd round? I can't imagine what those moves would look like. They aren't role players away from the 2nd round, they are star players away from the 2nd round.

[WindyCityBorn]

Thanks.

I believe the Bulls have the assets to make the 2nd round of the playoffs next season with 1 decent move and a couple minor adds.

They haven't even been a 1st round playoff team for 2 years and don't project to be one this year. What "decent move" and "minor adds" do you think have them go to the 2nd round? I can't imagine what those moves would look like. They aren't role players away from the 2nd round, they are star players away from the 2nd round.

I would absolutely not be surprised to us make the playoffs. Schedule is weak and we really don’t lose to worse teams much this season.

Vuc and Zach are playing, we are winning a lot and yet no one wants Zach. Keeping that pick will be tight.

[sco]

Thanks.

I believe the Bulls have the assets to make the 2nd round of the playoffs next season with 1 decent move and a couple minor adds.

They haven't even been a 1st round playoff team for 2 years and don't project to be one this year. What "decent move" and "minor adds" do you think have them go to the 2nd round? I can't imagine what those moves would look like. They aren't role players away from the 2nd round, they are star players away from the 2nd round.

I wouldn't call these minor moves, but, if (big IF) we are able to trade Zach and Vuc for mostly expiring deals, AND we let Ball walk, AND we resign Giddey for MLE type money, we'll have a core roster consisting of Giddey, Coby, Ayo, Matas, Pat and Smith, heading into next season but also have the cap space to sign a very good player to work into that mix. If we get lucky, maybe Matas steps up as a major contributor next season, and maybe we keep our 1st (TBD)...EDIT: after reading this, I'm still hard-pressed to see how we make the 2nd round.

[Stratmaster]

Thanks.

I believe the Bulls have the assets to make the 2nd round of the playoffs next season with 1 decent move and a couple minor adds.

They haven't even been a 1st round playoff team for 2 years and don't project to be one this year. What "decent move" and "minor adds" do you think have them go to the 2nd round? I can't imagine what those moves would look like. They aren't role players away from the 2nd round, they are star players away from the 2nd round.

I've already stated it several times. The Bulls are projected to have a 68% chance at the play-in and 50% chance at the playoffs right now after playing one of the toughest schedules, with 1 of the easiest schedules remaining. If they want to make the playoffs they can. They are 3 games out of the 5 seed right now.

They have 7 young assets. A combination of Coby, Pwill, and 1 other (take your pick) should have been enough to get a quality starting PF with rim protecting skills. Had they done it last offseason they would be a lock to make the playoffs and I believe would have ended up the 4 or 5 seed.

Obviously injuries can change that and there is no guarantee they would have won the first round series. If they could accomplish this at the trade deadline this season and make a couple minor bench upgrades I think they can be in that position next season and I believe it is a better approach to trying to get a player who could help them win a 2nd round series.

EDIT: Playoff odds are now at 51.8% without accounting for the easy upcoming schedule.

[jnrjr79]

Thanks.

I believe the Bulls have the assets to make the 2nd round of the playoffs next season with 1 decent move and a couple minor adds.

They haven't even been a 1st round playoff team for 2 years and don't project to be one this year. What "decent move" and "minor adds" do you think have them go to the 2nd round? I can't imagine what those moves would look like. They aren't role players away from the 2nd round, they are star players away from the 2nd round.

I wouldn't call these minor moves, but, if (big IF) we are able to trade Zach and Vuc for mostly expiring deals, AND we let Ball walk, AND we resign Giddey for MLE type money, we'll have a core roster consisting of Giddey, Coby, Ayo, Matas, Pat and Smith, heading into next season but also have the cap space to sign a very good player to work into that mix. If we get lucky, maybe Matas steps up as a major contributor next season, and maybe we keep our 1st (TBD)...EDIT: after reading this, I'm still hard-pressed to see how we make the 2nd round.

I was listening to Bill Simmons this morning, and he was noting how it currently stands, there are almost no teams that project to have sizable cap space next summer. It's not a great class for free agents (at least ones you actually expect might move/be interested in the Bulls), but Myles Turner could make a lot of sense, as a guy who would give you rim protection and can shoot decently. But yeah, he's not getting you to the 2nd round if he's the addition in the scenario you describe above. At 28, he's ok enough on the timeline.

[dougthonus]

I would absolutely not be surprised to us make the playoffs. Schedule is weak and we really don’t lose to worse teams much this season.

Sure, I wouldn't be surprised either, we were a play-in team the last two years and project to be one this year. Maybe we'll sneak in this year as the 7/8 seed, that's still miles away from the 2nd round, that's in the sacrificial lamb stage.

Vuc and Zach are playing, we are winning a lot and yet no one wants Zach. Keeping that pick will be tight.

If we do keep the pick it's going to land at like 9 or 10 which doesn't give you great odds of a star in that slot or of moving up.

[League Circles]

I think the answer is that none of the 12 young assets are worth a whole lot at this time (except Matas).

4,6,7,10,11,18 and 3 2nd rounders. That is the draft positions for the 9 players 25 or under who are seeing playing time of any significance. One of the 2nd rounders is currently the best producing player of the bunch.

So if none of them are worth much, why would anyone be so sure that a 8-10 pick this draft is going to be worth much?

The only reason to tank for that pick is the misguided hope that the tank can be accomplished and the Bulls will get lucky and move up to the top of the draft board in the lottery. If that were a reasonable approach then about 22 teams should all be trying to lose. Except only 12 can miss the play-in.

Adding a 10th "young asset" that we don't know what to do with doesn't help anything.

Here's the answer. The chance that adding a pick, even in the 5 - 10 range, is going to be the foundational piece to build around is very low. But here's the thing, without adding a talent like that you cannot contend, and the only other option is to hope to luck into it via FA or trade, but those odds are even lower. The only other choice is probably the way AK's headed, which is to just try to compete without a top-tier guy, knowing that a championship will not be in the offing.

I think this bolded part is the key point of disagreement. I guess it depends on what kind of player you're talking about. If you're talking a top 5 NBA player, I might agree that it's more likely to find him in the draft next summer (but still astronomically small). But I think the odds of trading for like a top 20-30 player is larger than getting one in the draft.

As far as I'm concerned the first order of business should be seeing who the single best player we can possibly trade for is without giving up Zach or Matas. That leaves these trade chips:

Vuc
Smith
Patrick
Giddey
Coby
Ayo
Ball
Draft picks

Plus Terry, Phillips etc as possible throw-ins

[jnrjr79]

4,6,7,10,11,18 and 3 2nd rounders. That is the draft positions for the 9 players 25 or under who are seeing playing time of any significance. One of the 2nd rounders is currently the best producing player of the bunch.

So if none of them are worth much, why would anyone be so sure that a 8-10 pick this draft is going to be worth much?

The only reason to tank for that pick is the misguided hope that the tank can be accomplished and the Bulls will get lucky and move up to the top of the draft board in the lottery. If that were a reasonable approach then about 22 teams should all be trying to lose. Except only 12 can miss the play-in.

Adding a 10th "young asset" that we don't know what to do with doesn't help anything.

Here's the answer. The chance that adding a pick, even in the 5 - 10 range, is going to be the foundational piece to build around is very low. But here's the thing, without adding a talent like that you cannot contend, and the only other option is to hope to luck into it via FA or trade, but those odds are even lower. The only other choice is probably the way AK's headed, which is to just try to compete without a top-tier guy, knowing that a championship will not be in the offing.

I think this bolded part is the key point of disagreement. I guess it depends on what kind of player you're talking about. If you're talking a top 5 NBA player, I might agree that it's more likely to find him in the draft next summer (but still astronomically small). But I think the odds of trading for like a top 20-30 player is larger than getting one in the draft.

As far as I'm concerned the first order of business should be seeing who the single best player we can possibly trade for is without giving up Zach or Matas. That leaves these trade chips:

Vuc
Smith
Patrick
Giddey
Coby
Ayo
Ball
Draft picks

Plus Terry, Phillips etc as possible throw-ins

Jumping off from the bolded part here - I think what the pro-tank crowd would say is you're not contending for a title without one of those top 5-ish players, most of the time, so you have to suck it up and do whatever gives you the best chance to find one as the first priority of team-building.

[drosestruts]

It's always puzzled me that fans are so eager to place so much hope of a hypothetical (draft picks) over their own players.

I still maintain that there's plenty to be optimistic about in regards to the young players on this team.

I constantly feel like there's a gap in understanding how good some of our players are - even when we're not winning. And how unlikely it is for many, even high draft picks - to ever be better than a Coby White.

If you randomly look at any draft - in this case the 2022 draft, the top guards taken were - Jaden Ivey, Bennedict Mathurin, Shaedon Sharpe, Dyson Daniels, and Johnny Davis. The best guard in that draft is easily Jalen Williams who wasn't even drafted till 12th overall. And is probably the only guard in the entire first round I'd rank as better than Coby.

Many people still want to tank for Cooper Flagg who has a usage of 30% and a TS% of 50% with a 1.6:1 assist to turnover ratio. This is a far cry from a franchise player.

We have no shortage of athletic forwards that can't score.


Our young players that I hold the most hope for:

Ayo - I think he's being slept on. Look no further than his 16 ppg on freaking 69% TS% in December with a 5:1 assist to turnover ratio

Giddey - he's a walking triple double with elite passing and rebounding for his position. Can he turn stat sheet stuffing into winning. At only 22-years old I'd like to find out.

Buzelis - it's all been flashes with him but I like the combination of size, athleticism, handles, and competitiveness. Would I tank for a Matas? no. If I had one would I exhibit patience and have hope? yes


The Rose era Bulls routinely suffered from missed timeline alignment: Rose was an MVP then he was injured and soon after Noah was winning DPOY awards and then he started breaking down and Jimmy Butler emerged as an all-star and none of that ever overlapped.


Zach LaVine is and has been (when healthy) and all-star level player. Can a complimentary young piece start hitting his ceiling while Zach's still playing near his?

[League Circles]

Here's the answer. The chance that adding a pick, even in the 5 - 10 range, is going to be the foundational piece to build around is very low. But here's the thing, without adding a talent like that you cannot contend, and the only other option is to hope to luck into it via FA or trade, but those odds are even lower. The only other choice is probably the way AK's headed, which is to just try to compete without a top-tier guy, knowing that a championship will not be in the offing.

I think this bolded part is the key point of disagreement. I guess it depends on what kind of player you're talking about. If you're talking a top 5 NBA player, I might agree that it's more likely to find him in the draft next summer (but still astronomically small). But I think the odds of trading for like a top 20-30 player is larger than getting one in the draft.

As far as I'm concerned the first order of business should be seeing who the single best player we can possibly trade for is without giving up Zach or Matas. That leaves these trade chips:

Vuc
Smith
Patrick
Giddey
Coby
Ayo
Ball
Draft picks

Plus Terry, Phillips etc as possible throw-ins

Jumping off from the bolded part here - I think what the pro-tank crowd would say is you're not contending for a title without one of those top 5-ish players, most of the time, so you have to suck it up and do whatever gives you the best chance to find one as the first priority of team-building.

I don't particularly disagree. I think finding a top 5 NBA player is virtually impossible by any strategy. They come along roughly once every 2 years, roughly in the first half of the first round, most often top 3 picks.

[kodo]

Jumping off from the bolded part here - I think what the pro-tank crowd would say is you're not contending for a title without one of those top 5-ish players, most of the time, so you have to suck it up and do whatever gives you the best chance to find one as the first priority of team-building.

Agreed, with the caveat it's possible to win a chip without a top 5 player IF the team is willing to just outspend every other team and get 3-5 all-nba types (including all-defense, eg Boston) instead of typical 1 MVP + good starters (eg Denver).

Bulls aren't going to blow past the 2nd apron like the Phoenix owner or Ballmer. Drafting an MVP candidate is really the only way to compete for a championship while also building the team with only moderate spend, which is the Chicago method.

If the Bulls were owned by Ballmer, I'd say sure let's just try to grab expensive vets and ignore the draft.

[sco]

It's always puzzled me that fans are so eager to place so much hope of a hypothetical (draft picks) over their own players.

I still maintain that there's plenty to be optimistic about in regards to the young players on this team.

I constantly feel like there's a gap in understanding how good some of our players are - even when we're not winning. And how unlikely it is for many, even high draft picks - to ever be better than a Coby White.

If you randomly look at any draft - in this case the 2022 draft, the top guards taken were - Jaden Ivey, Bennedict Mathurin, Shaedon Sharpe, Dyson Daniels, and Johnny Davis. The best guard in that draft is easily Jalen Williams who wasn't even drafted till 12th overall. And is probably the only guard in the entire first round I'd rank as better than Coby.

Many people still want to tank for Cooper Flagg who has a usage of 30% and a TS% of 50% with a 1.6:1 assist to turnover ratio. This is a far cry from a franchise player.

We have no shortage of athletic forwards that can't score.


Our young players that I hold the most hope for:

Ayo - I think he's being slept on. Look no further than his 16 ppg on freaking 69% TS% in December with a 5:1 assist to turnover ratio

Giddey - he's a walking triple double with elite passing and rebounding for his position. Can he turn stat sheet stuffing into winning. At only 22-years old I'd like to find out.

Buzelis - it's all been flashes with him but I like the combination of size, athleticism, handles, and competitiveness. Would I tank for a Matas? no. If I had one would I exhibit patience and have hope? yes


The Rose era Bulls routinely suffered from missed timeline alignment: Rose was an MVP then he was injured and soon after Noah was winning DPOY awards and then he started breaking down and Jimmy Butler emerged as an all-star and none of that ever overlapped.


Zach LaVine is and has been (when healthy) and all-star level player. Can a complimentary young piece start hitting his ceiling while Zach's still playing near his?

I partially agree with underlined text in that we are statistically unlikely to find many in the 1st round better than Coby. I view Coby as an average NBA player, and after you get through the first few picks, the odds drop off. That said, I disagree that people are underestimating our young talent. Giddey, Ayo, Coby, Pat at least, despite being young, are far enough along in their careers where you can see their improvement trajectories have all flattened out. I think the being young reason for upside hopes for these guys is way overdone. Will they get better? Sure. Will a single one ever be an allstar? Almost certainly not.

Dumping these guys for a future picks, if we can, probably won't return a better player, but you're even less likely to find one in the FA market. But even if you whiff on those picks, I think the FA market is loaded with guys who are just as good as our young guys (i.e. average), and you can dump your loser picks, so basically my point is that by dumping those guys you could get a chance at upside with an easy path to replace that guy in free agency.

[drosestruts]

If the Bulls wanted to win as much as possible this season they should push hard for a Jimmy Butler trade since he appears to be on the market.

Bulls in: Jimmy Butler, Kevin Love, and Alec Burks

Heat in: Patrick Williams, Coby White, Josh Giddey, Jevon Carter, Chris Duarte, and the Portland pick


Bulls:

Ball/Dosunmu
LaVine/THT/Burks
Butler/Phillips/Terry
Craig/Buzelis
Vucevic/Smith/Love

Bulls make a massive upgrade in top-end talent by nabbing Butler and they give starting roles to veteran players in Ball and Craig more able to contribute to winning now.


Heat:

White/Rozier/Carter
Herro/Robinson/Richardson
Giddey/Jaquez/Duarte
Williams/Jovic/Highsmith
Adebayo/Ware

Heat allegedly want players not picks - they get 3 of them in White, Giddey, and Williams


You kiss the Spurs picks goodbye. You potentially have a lot of cap space this summer if Ball and Jimmy leave.

If you want to win as much as possible, and Jimmy Butler is on the trade market, that's the move you make.

[HomoSapien]

Offensively, we are doing just fine. Adding a gettable scorer like Kuzma, for example, probably doesn't move the needle for us. If we take a look at our team stats here's what stands out to me:

29th in opponent's points per game
20th in point differential
22nd in rebounding differential
26th in FTA
24th in SPG
17th in BPG

I'm not that concerned about FTA --- we're all about jacking up threes, so we won't be getting to the line much this year. Our issues, unsurprisingly, are all on the defensive end of the ball.

If our goal is to become a playoff team this year, then the easiest path toward doing that is finding defensive help. Pat, although one of our better defenders, can be upgraded IMO to someone who provides similar defense + rebounding and shot-blocking. I've always loved Grant Williams as a role player. He's not a great rebounder or shot blocker, but he can defend and spread the floor. I bet we could get him for Duarte, Carter, and Portland's First. There's also someone like Isaiah Stewart (also not to replace Pat) who could probably be acquired easily and would improve our rebounding and rim protection. Walker Kessler is another guy I really want on this roster (and wanted to draft). Ainge won't easily let him go, but he does really value draft picks. Maybe we could work something out there if we're willing to pay for him. Matas is a fantastic shot-blocker, so part of fixing that issue might easily be to give him more minutes.

Giddey has been up and down all season long, though he's trending back up again. I'm not sure if AKME view him as a keeper yet, but we could upgrade there defensively as well. If the PG rotation is Ayo and Ball, we're already pretty good defensively there. I really love Scotty Pippen Jr. though. His 6'1" frame limits him, but he competes on D and generates a ton of steals and blocks. He's also a really good floor general. I don't see Memphis trading him, he's an example of the type of talent we could acquire that's not star-studded and would still make a big impact.