Rumor: Bulls Interested in RJ Barrett (UPDATE OP POST)

[MGB8]

I have the opposite take of most here, and very much hope that this interest is true. RJ Barrett is going to turn 25 in a few weeks and has proven he is a high level scorer in the NBA. He is similar to a LaVine or a Coby - lacking LaVine’s shooting but also a better ball handler, lacking Coby’s handling but being much better inside.

I’m not concerned about his 55% TS last year (58 two years ago). Last year was a mess all around in Toronto and the biggest knock on his TS was a terrible year at the stripe 63%, compared to career average of 70% that looked like it was trending up pre TO. He also gets to the line a good bit, 5-6 times per game. 35% from 3 isn’t great but he is good enough, and on solid volume. He had a positive (albeit low positive) on-off for TO.

If you could get him for salary and the #12, I’d jump at the move. IMO, there is a higher chance of RJ being a guy who can be the lead scorer on a good team than there is Coby. He is also a guy who would benefit from not being the lead ball handler - playing with a true point. Which (assuming Giddey isn’t the one moved for him) would occur in Chicago.

I don’t love a Coby-RJ- Giddey-Matas grouping on defense… but Billy seems to pull things out of his rear end on D, and offensively that group should work well. If you added a defensive center…

[League Circles]

I have the opposite take of most here, and very much hope that this interest is true. RJ Barrett is going to turn 25 in a few weeks and has proven he is a high level scorer in the NBA. He is similar to a LaVine or a Coby - lacking LaVine’s shooting but also a better ball handler, lacking Coby’s handling but being much better inside.

I’m not concerned about his 55% TS last year (58 two years ago). Last year was a mess all around in Toronto and the biggest knock on his TS was a terrible year at the stripe 63%, compared to career average of 70% that looked like it was trending up pre TO. He also gets to the line a good bit, 5-6 times per game. 35% from 3 isn’t great but he is good enough, and on solid volume. He had a positive (albeit low positive) on-off for TO.

If you could get him for salary and the #12, I’d jump at the move. IMO, there is a higher chance of RJ being a guy who can be the lead scorer on a good team than there is Coby. He is also a guy who would benefit from not being the lead ball handler - playing with a true point. Which (assuming Giddey isn’t the one moved for him) would occur in Chicago.

I don’t love a Coby-RJ- Giddey-Matas grouping on defense… but Billy seems to pull things out of his rear end on D, and offensively that group should work well. If you added a defensive center…

High level scorer? Barrett has been quite inefficient for his whole career outside of a 32 game stretch with Toronto the year before last.

Coby was significantly more efficient scoring inside than Barrett last year.

No reason for Barrett unless it gets rid of Patrick's deal and another losable asset. Even then I really question it.

[MGB8]

Eh...RJ is one of my least favorite players in the league but he fits the criteria of undervalued talent that could break out with maturity and a change of scenery.

Is he? Seems like very much a known commodity at this point.

Also, not enough panic in here for my tastes. Trading our lottery pick to “compete now” with a “veteran star” like RJ Barrett has been the elephant in the room all offseason. A move like this has always been the “most AK” of

Pat and Vuc? Sure. But that is not the deal.

If that’s the case, and assuming the trade would be, say, Patrick, Ayo (to avoid having to pay him) and #12 where the pick would be Denim (assuming KJ is gone), it would be IMO a decent move. Patrick might revert to looking like a legit NBA 3&D+ with Harrison Barnes level upside. Ayo also has upside. And Denim does too. But you also trade the downside risks of Patrick’s contract and non-reversion, losing Ayo for nothing or overpaying, and Denim either not fitting or not developing (or both) for the risk of RJ - where he did look like he was on an upward trajectory when he arrived in TO (last year being the definition of an S-show for the raps as a whole).

There are players who might drop to 2 that would make me not want to do that deal (KJ, in particular). But a CMB or a Denim being the alternative versus RJ? I’d probably gamble on RJ (w/ losing Ayo being the cost of moving on from Patrick’s contract).

[MGB8]

I have the opposite take of most here, and very much hope that this interest is true. RJ Barrett is going to turn 25 in a few weeks and has proven he is a high level scorer in the NBA. He is similar to a LaVine or a Coby - lacking LaVine’s shooting but also a better ball handler, lacking Coby’s handling but being much better inside.

I’m not concerned about his 55% TS last year (58 two years ago). Last year was a mess all around in Toronto and the biggest knock on his TS was a terrible year at the stripe 63%, compared to career average of 70% that looked like it was trending up pre TO. He also gets to the line a good bit, 5-6 times per game. 35% from 3 isn’t great but he is good enough, and on solid volume. He had a positive (albeit low positive) on-off for TO.

If you could get him for salary and the #12, I’d jump at the move. IMO, there is a higher chance of RJ being a guy who can be the lead scorer on a good team than there is Coby. He is also a guy who would benefit from not being the lead ball handler - playing with a true point. Which (assuming Giddey isn’t the one moved for him) would occur in Chicago.

I don’t love a Coby-RJ- Giddey-Matas grouping on defense… but Billy seems to pull things out of his rear end on D, and offensively that group should work well. If you added a defensive center…

High level scorer? Barrett has been quite inefficient for his whole career outside of a 32 game stretch with Toronto the year before last.

Coby was significantly more efficient scoring inside than Barrett last year.

No reason for Barrett unless it gets rid of Patrick's deal and another losable asset. Even then I really question it.

I’m not worried about the TS. Like I wrote, the biggest hit was an awful year from the line (over 7% worse than career average). Also, it was another year where he had a lot of time playing without a true point (Barnes isn’t good at it). Even when he was playing without a point or quasi point (not a believer in Mitchell), he had a number of lineups where he was the default “4” (Mitchell/IQ-Agbaji-Dick-RJ-Poetl) - and per 82 games, those were when his game suffered the most.

It’s a gamble, sure. But there is enough there in terms of skillset and production to make it a reasonable gamble - that playing with a PG, not playing the default “4” where he is very undersized will return his numbers to what was seen after he arrived in TO (with IQ healthy to start), possibly improve from there (youth / trajectory / better fit).

[Clint Eastwood]

Ayo and patrick? Sign me up. Add in the 12th pick, nope.

[Red8911]

Depends, if the trade is Barrett for P Will then hell yes and no take backs !

Barrett is a talented scorer who averaged 21 a game this season but not good on defense, his free throw shooting is weak for some reason and missed a lot of games( could be due to Toronto tanking, not sure).

Bulls can certainly use him despite some of his flaws but again for the right deal.

[ImSlower]

My pathological dislike of Patrick WIlliams gives me too much bias. I think Barrett's inefficient DeRozen-but-everything-worse play is nothing the Bulls need, but a shorter, higher AAV contract that could perhaps fit into a trade for a superior starter a year from now sounds nice.

Since I consider Williams one of the worst values in the league, I expect the Raptors to do better. But it's a nice thought (keep the 12th though!!)

[MrSparkle]

The worst thing is his usage and defense. Could he be on the brink of a prime jump? To fringe star? His game doesn’t remind me of Demar, but they do compare for a variety of reasons.

End of the day, Giddey and RJ are truly incompatible. Would feel like the Vuc/Demar/Zach experiment allllll over again.

[Jcool0]

The worst kind of players to have are ones that are worth 100M and also no worth 100M.

[Chi town]

I have the opposite take of most here, and very much hope that this interest is true. RJ Barrett is going to turn 25 in a few weeks and has proven he is a high level scorer in the NBA. He is similar to a LaVine or a Coby - lacking LaVine’s shooting but also a better ball handler, lacking Coby’s handling but being much better inside.

I’m not concerned about his 55% TS last year (58 two years ago). Last year was a mess all around in Toronto and the biggest knock on his TS was a terrible year at the stripe 63%, compared to career average of 70% that looked like it was trending up pre TO. He also gets to the line a good bit, 5-6 times per game. 35% from 3 isn’t great but he is good enough, and on solid volume. He had a positive (albeit low positive) on-off for TO.

If you could get him for salary and the #12, I’d jump at the move. IMO, there is a higher chance of RJ being a guy who can be the lead scorer on a good team than there is Coby. He is also a guy who would benefit from not being the lead ball handler - playing with a true point. Which (assuming Giddey isn’t the one moved for him) would occur in Chicago.

I don’t love a Coby-RJ- Giddey-Matas grouping on defense… but Billy seems to pull things out of his rear end on D, and offensively that group should work well. If you added a defensive center…

High level scorer? Barrett has been quite inefficient for his whole career outside of a 32 game stretch with Toronto the year before last.

Coby was significantly more efficient scoring inside than Barrett last year.

No reason for Barrett unless it gets rid of Patrick's deal and another losable asset. Even then I really question it.

This.

Surpised MG wants Barrett. Didn’t see that one coming. Expecially for 12. His value is nowhere close to that.

[CROBulls]

Only if it's straight swap for Patrick Williams

[DuckIII]

Eh...RJ is one of my least favorite players in the league but he fits the criteria of undervalued talent that could break out with maturity and a change of scenery.

Is he? Seems like very much a known commodity at this point.

Also, not enough panic in here for my tastes. Trading our lottery pick to “compete now” with a “veteran star” like RJ Barrett has been the elephant in the room all offseason. A move like this has always been the “most AK” of

Pat and Vuc? Sure. But that is not the deal.

RJ doesn’t come close to qualifying as a star. At least Vuc was a current all-star at the time.

I agree. I was channeling AK-speak.

[KissedByaRose1]

Barrett for Williams would be the best move AK has made outside of drafting Matas since he got here. Not holding my breath.

Giddey
White
Matas
Barrett
Maluach

Would definitely get me back watching every night again though.

[DuckIII]

Eh...RJ is one of my least favorite players in the league but he fits the criteria of undervalued talent that could break out with maturity and a change of scenery.

Is he? Seems like very much a known commodity at this point.

Also, not enough panic in here for my tastes. Trading our lottery pick to “compete now” with a “veteran star” like RJ Barrett has been the elephant in the room all offseason. A move like this has always been the “most AK” of

Pat and Vuc? Sure. But that is not the deal.

What do you mean when you say "that is not the deal"? Am I missing something? I see no specifics reported.

I’m saying it will take more than that to get him. As of today Pat and Vuc are likely both considered negative value acquisitions. And RJ only has 2 years on his deal and makes less than $30 mil per.

My guess is any such deal will require the 12 and that is the type of thing AK would absolutely do.

[League Circles]

Is he? Seems like very much a known commodity at this point.

Also, not enough panic in here for my tastes. Trading our lottery pick to “compete now” with a “veteran star” like RJ Barrett has been the elephant in the room all offseason. A move like this has always been the “most AK” of

Pat and Vuc? Sure. But that is not the deal.

What do you mean when you say "that is not the deal"? Am I missing something? I see no specifics reported.

I’m saying it will take more than that to get him. As of today Pat and Vuc are likely both considered negative value acquisitions. And RJ only has 2 years on his deal and makes less than $30 mil per.

My guess is any such deal will require the 12 and that is the type of thing AK would absolutely do.

God I sure hope not.

To me any deal for Barrett that doesn't move Patrick's deal is gross, as is any deal that includes 12. Probably the "worst" deal I'd do from the Bulls perspective is Patrick and Ayo for Barrett.

I'm dying to get rid of Vuc or Collins, but only so that Smith is assured to play more, which is less important to me than Barrett's extra year on his deal.

I wonder if there is a deal for Giddey being considered. Demin and Barrett at least makes some shred of sense. Though I consider Giddey a significantly better piece than Barrett. And obviously he'd have to cooperate on a sign and trade which I never like to assume.

[jordanwilliams6]

This would be about 3 steps in the wrong direction.

We’ve finally managed to change the identity of the team. A mediocre volume scorer that can’t shoot, defend or do anything at a high level would be a disaster.

[boozapalooza]

Eh...RJ is one of my least favorite players in the league but he fits the criteria of undervalued talent that could break out with maturity and a change of scenery.

Is he? Seems like very much a known commodity at this point.

Also, not enough panic in here for my tastes. Trading our lottery pick to “compete now” with a “veteran star” like RJ Barrett has been the elephant in the room all offseason. A move like this has always been the “most AK” of the available options.

Pat and Vuc? Sure. But that is not the deal.

Us trading the 12th pick for a veteran hasnt been mentioned anywhere, and especially not for RJ Barrett. No shot. Theres no elephant in the room on this.

Something like PWill + Carter for RJ is worth kicking the tires on.

One tweet mentioning us among a group of teams from a no name reporter shouldn’t incite panic

[CROBulls]

This would be about 3 steps in the wrong direction.

We’ve finally managed to change the identity of the team. A mediocre volume scorer that can’t shoot, defend or do anything at a high level would be a disaster.

It's perfect target. To replace DeRozan you go Barett. To replace Vuc you go Sabonis. Play ins baby. Play ins!

[Jcool0]

Eh...RJ is one of my least favorite players in the league but he fits the criteria of undervalued talent that could break out with maturity and a change of scenery.

Is he? Seems like very much a known commodity at this point.

Also, not enough panic in here for my tastes. Trading our lottery pick to “compete now” with a “veteran star” like RJ Barrett has been the elephant in the room all offseason. A move like this has always been the “most AK” of the available options.

Pat and Vuc? Sure. But that is not the deal.

Us trading the 12th pick for a veteran hasnt been mentioned anywhere, and especially not for RJ Barrett. No shot. Theres no elephant in the room on this.

Something like PWill + Carter for RJ is worth kicking the tires on.

One tweet mentioning us among a group of teams from a no name reporter shouldn’t incite panic

That has been my biggest worry this off season. Him making another all in move for an overrated "star".

[MGB8]

I have the opposite take of most here, and very much hope that this interest is true. RJ Barrett is going to turn 25 in a few weeks and has proven he is a high level scorer in the NBA. He is similar to a LaVine or a Coby - lacking LaVine’s shooting but also a better ball handler, lacking Coby’s handling but being much better inside.

I’m not concerned about his 55% TS last year (58 two years ago). Last year was a mess all around in Toronto and the biggest knock on his TS was a terrible year at the stripe 63%, compared to career average of 70% that looked like it was trending up pre TO. He also gets to the line a good bit, 5-6 times per game. 35% from 3 isn’t great but he is good enough, and on solid volume. He had a positive (albeit low positive) on-off for TO.

If you could get him for salary and the #12, I’d jump at the move. IMO, there is a higher chance of RJ being a guy who can be the lead scorer on a good team than there is Coby. He is also a guy who would benefit from not being the lead ball handler - playing with a true point. Which (assuming Giddey isn’t the one moved for him) would occur in Chicago.

I don’t love a Coby-RJ- Giddey-Matas grouping on defense… but Billy seems to pull things out of his rear end on D, and offensively that group should work well. If you added a defensive center…

High level scorer? Barrett has been quite inefficient for his whole career outside of a 32 game stretch with Toronto the year before last.

Coby was significantly more efficient scoring inside than Barrett last year.

No reason for Barrett unless it gets rid of Patrick's deal and another losable asset. Even then I really question it.

This.

Surpised MG wants Barrett. Didn’t see that one coming. Expecially for 12. His value is nowhere close to that.

You don't think RJ Barrett is worth a late lotto pick in the middle 3rd of the first? At his age?

I think it's a calculated gamble and potential steal. Pat's negative value offset by Ayo's positive, plus a late lotto pick that may well be nothing, for a guy who has proven that he can be a 1st option on a bad team and had stretches where he looked like more. Remember that RJ shot 44% from 3 on mid volume for Canada when playing with SGA and Nembhard. Yeah, tiny sample, but he has had stretches where he shoots at a + level in the league, too. The question is effort and feel on D moreso than shot, and I think that there is room for optimism on that front, too.