Chi town wrote:MGB8 wrote:I wish Devonte Graham was an UFA, rather than a RFA... that would make it a better chance that you could get him without either giving up an asset or overpaying.
I do like his moxie, and he very likely is underrated as a playmaker. He's also only a couple of weeks older than LaVine so the timeline would work. And his outside shooting - capable from very deep - would likely have the same positive impact that Coby's does on the team - opening things up more than you'd expect.
The abysmal inside finishing ability is still a big concern, but when using Vuc inside it's not like there's a ton of space to operate there. On the other hand, when Vuc swings out... Still, despite being terrible at finishing inside, 2 seasons ago he managed to draw almost 3.7 FTA per game (not great, but not nothing).
I do think that the Bulls have some options this offseason that are appealing. The big question, though, is would it be better to roll over cap space until next season and a bigger FA crop as well as an actual first to use to bring in someone. The Vuc trade should be a lesson-learned in not doing something "too early" just to do something big.
While I don't hate the Vuc trade as much as many on the board (mainly due to the declining contract which makes adding someone next year more possible), it was on overpay. A 2-year younger Valenciunas brought back only 1 first round pick, and it was top 10 protected (imagine if the picks they sent to Orlando were top 10, rather than top 4, protected....). I think the Vuc package could have netted the significantly better (and also younger) Siakam this offseason.
Vuc is quite a bit better than Val. Siakam is getting paid 35M per year.
On Siakam, he's getting paid 31.3M next season, not 35. Then 33.6, then 36. He's quasi first option in TO due to Lowry aging and VanVleet being good but not great offensively. He'd be back to a more clear 2nd option in Chicago.
Siakam is a 27 year old legitimate 2 way player who, while better as your #2 or #3 offensive option, still gives 21-22 ppg, 7-8 rbp, 4-5 apg, 5-6 FTA, even if his efficiency has dropped to 55% from 63% 2 years ago as a 3rd option behind Leonard and Lowry (and scoring more than Lowry).
As to the centers, I'm not sure how much better Vuc is than Val. Better, sure, but comparing their respective age 28 seasons (Jonas from last year, Vuc from 3 years ago):
https://stathead.com/basketball/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=0&player_id1=vucevni01&p1yrfrom=2019&player_id2=valanjo01&p2yrfrom=2021or just comparing last season...
https://stathead.com/basketball/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=0&player_id1=valanjo01&p1yrfrom=2021&player_id2=vucevni01&p2yrfrom=2021or comparing 2 seasons ago from both:
https://stathead.com/basketball/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=0&player_id1=valanjo01&p1yrfrom=2020&player_id2=vucevni01&p2yrfrom=2020They are much closer statistically than one might think. Similar rebounders, both can shoot but Vuc does it much more. Val more efficient inside. Vuc's a significantly better passer, but we're talking the difference between 4 and 2 assists per game. Val gives you a little more in terms of blocked shots... And Val is two years younger.
Vuc is better, but not double the first round picks with less protection better. Granted, it was a bad trade for Memphis (maybe they don't think they can pay Val what he will get on the market next season).
