NBA Trade Thread #13

[MrSparkle]

Still Kuminga/Vuc talk? I could only see Warriors entertaining it if Jalen Smith is thrown in, maybe expanding it to acquire Okoro, Phillips and some other hustle depth.

They can’t invest in such an old team with slow feet if they want to have a chance in hell making the WCFs.

[Infinity2152]

Kuminga for Vucevic trade seems far easier than before. He can't be traded until Jan 15th, plenty of time for Vuc to put up big numbers and Kuminga to be a bad fit between Green and Butler. Vucevic's contract is now cheaper than Kuminga's, with no BPE.

Vuc ain't perfect, but he could be decent for a half season playoff push with the Warriors. With a chance to re-sign in the summer. What could they really expect to get in a Kuminga trade at $24 mill that helps them win now, great player or decent player? Agree with Sparkle, would probably get Phillips to offset the speed, maybe even try for Ayo.

Curry, Ayo, Butler, Green, Vucevic could hit pretty hard, with Hield in the Jordan Poole role.

[WesPeace]

No way in hell we should give Ayo along Vooch for Kuminga lol.. Phillips sure

[sco]

No way in hell we should give Ayo along Vooch for Kuminga lol.. Phillips sure

I would do a deal like that because:

1) Vuc, IMO, is hurting this team on both ends. He makes everybody worse on defense because the rest of the team needs to hedge off their man to guard the paint that Vuc can't. I'm really want to see how bad defensively we are with the Coby/Giddey combo when we have a decent defensive C on the floor with them before we need to pay $ on Coby and that can't happen with Vuc - so we lose that insight with Vuc here which is more than enough reason to dump him asap. On offense, he plays the opposite of fast and needs plays run for him to be minimally useful, and those plays should be run for Coby and Matas.

2) Ayo is too inconsistent to invest in keeping (especially if we are likely to resign Coby). He would be a keeper if he could manage to stay in attack mode on offense, but he seems to disappear too often, also if he were an above average defender and a true 2-way player like he was as a rookie.

3) We are unlikely to be able to use all of our expirings this season on a deal to bring in a star. Getting Kuminga would allow us to punt some of that into an expiring into the following season.

4) Pat, Phillips, Terry, and Smith really do nothing for this team. Kuminga is flawed but brings someone new to try at the PF position. Noa is anything but a sure bet on to become a starting PF. I like Matas at the 3 this and maybe next season.

[MikeDC]

Still Kuminga/Vuc talk? I could only see Warriors entertaining it if Jalen Smith is thrown in, maybe expanding it to acquire Okoro, Phillips and some other hustle depth.

They can’t invest in such an old team with slow feet if they want to have a chance in hell making the WCFs.

They don't have any interest in bench players on long-term deals. The finances for that are just non-starters for them.

Now that they have Horford and Post has shown himself to be a playable guy, I don't think they have any interest in Vuc either.

[MikeDC]

If you want to find a trade, figure out the following:

• Boston is $12M over the tax. Get them under the tax and they'll make a deal. The Bulls are $13M under the tax, so theoretically this should work.
• Dallas is $17M over. We can't get them under, but could save them money.
• Sixers ($7M), Rockets ($6.8M), Clippers ($6.8M), Magic ($5.6M), Raptors ($3M, Nuggets (400k), Suns (300k) would all have varying degrees of interest as well.

All of these teams would like to get under, but several of them (as well as the Knicks, Warriors and Cavs, which I didn't bother to mention) also are actually trying to win, so they probably aren't as desperate to get under as the Reinsdorfs would be in the same circumstance.

• Basic frameworks for a deal with Boston would be Simons/Hauser/Pick for Vuc or Huerter or Collins + filler (Carter, Terry or Phillips, or realistically Ayo... if we're getting a quality pick/picks back, that's worth it).
• Anthony Black and Jett Howard and (moderate) pick... lower 1st and/or multiple seconds for Tre Jones or Ayo? Could add Isaac for Huerter if it would entice them?

[Evil_Headband]

If the Bulls season goes well and the Kings season goes poorly, I could see a Sabonis for Bulls expirings (Vucevic plus one of Huerter, Collins) plus first round draft compensation trade happening.

[sco]

If the Bulls season goes well and the Kings season goes poorly, I could see a Sabonis for Bulls expirings (Vucevic plus one of Huerter, Collins) plus first round draft compensation trade happening.

So could I. That would be cementing us into this horrible place for more years. Sabonis is just a younger Vuc.

[Evil_Headband]

If the Bulls season goes well and the Kings season goes poorly, I could see a Sabonis for Bulls expirings (Vucevic plus one of Huerter, Collins) plus first round draft compensation trade happening.

So could I. That would be cementing us into this horrible place for more years. Sabonis is just a younger Vuc.

Yeah, that could certainly happen. I guess it depends on what the Bulls have in this Coby, Matas, Josh core. There is upside there. Defense would remain a challenge though.

[Infinity2152]

Sabonis on this team next year definitely wouldn't look like Vucevic of the last few years, or at least the defense won't. Vucevic had Williams when he played and little guys like DJJ and Javonte Green next to him at PF, with Derozan at SF.

Sabonis would have Matas at PF and looks like at least Okoro or Noa at SF, maybe better. Sabonis is a little faster than Vucevic, I think he's a little better on ball defender.

Not perfect fit, who is? Probably be considered the best player on the team, under 30, getting for expirings and a first sounds like a good deal. We add Sabonis at his salary we lose our ammo for going after a 1A though.

[sco]

Sabonis on this team next year definitely wouldn't look like Vucevic of the last few years, or at least the defense won't. Vucevic had Williams when he played and little guys like DJJ and Javonte Green next to him at PF, with Derozan at SF.

Sabonis would have Matas at PF and looks like at least Okoro or Noa at SF, maybe better. Sabonis is a little faster than Vucevic, I think he's a little better on ball defender.

Not perfect fit, who is? Probably be considered the best player on the team, under 30, getting for expirings and a first sounds like a good deal. We add Sabonis at his salary we lose our ammo for going after a 1A though.

While I disagree on your assessment of Sabonis, but I will agree to disagree because we just see things differently...but you are spot on that our priority should be getting a legit #1 option before thinking about other pieces.

[Evil_Headband]

Sabonis on this team next year definitely wouldn't look like Vucevic of the last few years, or at least the defense won't. Vucevic had Williams when he played and little guys like DJJ and Javonte Green next to him at PF, with Derozan at SF.

Sabonis would have Matas at PF and looks like at least Okoro or Noa at SF, maybe better. Sabonis is a little faster than Vucevic, I think he's a little better on ball defender.

Not perfect fit, who is? Probably be considered the best player on the team, under 30, getting for expirings and a first sounds like a good deal. We add Sabonis at his salary we lose our ammo for going after a 1A though.

Just looking at recent media rankings, ESPN has him at 32 overall in the NBA and The Ringer at 34. As much as everyone wants a unicorn center who can protect the rim, move his feet, hit threes, post up, be a hub center, etc., that's a pipe dream. I wouldn't complain if such a deal happens. I know many fans want to tank for a superstar in the draft but that ain't happening if the Bulls young core shows promise.

[jnrjr79]

Sabonis on this team next year definitely wouldn't look like Vucevic of the last few years, or at least the defense won't. Vucevic had Williams when he played and little guys like DJJ and Javonte Green next to him at PF, with Derozan at SF.

Sabonis would have Matas at PF and looks like at least Okoro or Noa at SF, maybe better. Sabonis is a little faster than Vucevic, I think he's a little better on ball defender.

Not perfect fit, who is? Probably be considered the best player on the team, under 30, getting for expirings and a first sounds like a good deal. We add Sabonis at his salary we lose our ammo for going after a 1A though.

Just looking at recent media rankings, ESPN has him at 32 overall in the NBA and The Ringer at 34. As much as everyone wants a unicorn center who can protect the rim, move his feet, hit threes, post up, be a hub center, etc., that's a pipe dream. I wouldn't complain if such a deal happens. I know many fans want to tank for a superstar in the draft but that ain't happening if the Bulls young core shows promise.

I think most would settle for a guy who can protect the rim and finish around the basket/roll to the basket.

Rim protection is going to be vital if the Bulls end up keeping Coby and Giddey around as starters. You'd probably rather have Daniel Gafford than Sabonis, even if Sabonis is better in isolation.

[Evil_Headband]

Sabonis on this team next year definitely wouldn't look like Vucevic of the last few years, or at least the defense won't. Vucevic had Williams when he played and little guys like DJJ and Javonte Green next to him at PF, with Derozan at SF.

Sabonis would have Matas at PF and looks like at least Okoro or Noa at SF, maybe better. Sabonis is a little faster than Vucevic, I think he's a little better on ball defender.

Not perfect fit, who is? Probably be considered the best player on the team, under 30, getting for expirings and a first sounds like a good deal. We add Sabonis at his salary we lose our ammo for going after a 1A though.

Just looking at recent media rankings, ESPN has him at 32 overall in the NBA and The Ringer at 34. As much as everyone wants a unicorn center who can protect the rim, move his feet, hit threes, post up, be a hub center, etc., that's a pipe dream. I wouldn't complain if such a deal happens. I know many fans want to tank for a superstar in the draft but that ain't happening if the Bulls young core shows promise.

I think most would settle for a guy who can protect the rim and finish around the basket/roll to the basket.

Rim protection is going to be vital if the Bulls end up keeping Coby and Giddey around as starters. You'd probably rather have Daniel Gafford than Sabonis, even if Sabonis is better in isolation.

I don't think AKMEBD view it that way. Personally, I'd rather have Sabonis than Gafford. Gafford's limitations are an issue. The Bulls seem content on focusing on point of attack defense, executing rotations better, toughness, etc. without that rim protector.

[jnrjr79]

Just looking at recent media rankings, ESPN has him at 32 overall in the NBA and The Ringer at 34. As much as everyone wants a unicorn center who can protect the rim, move his feet, hit threes, post up, be a hub center, etc., that's a pipe dream. I wouldn't complain if such a deal happens. I know many fans want to tank for a superstar in the draft but that ain't happening if the Bulls young core shows promise.

I think most would settle for a guy who can protect the rim and finish around the basket/roll to the basket.

Rim protection is going to be vital if the Bulls end up keeping Coby and Giddey around as starters. You'd probably rather have Daniel Gafford than Sabonis, even if Sabonis is better in isolation.

I don't think AKMEBD view it that way. Personally, I'd rather have Sabonis than Gafford. Gafford's limitations are an issue. The Bulls seem content on focusing on point of attack defense, executing rotations better, toughness, etc. without that rim protector.

I'm not convinced the Bulls are focusing on that in the long-term. That may just be a this-year thing due to personnel. But AK has liked the Vooch Hub Center plan in the past, so I agree there's some chance he may view Sabonis as a better fit than I would. I'm hoping he's learned his lesson.

[Evil_Headband]

I'm not convinced the Bulls are focusing on that in the long-term. That may just be a this-year thing due to personnel.

Maybe, but, unless I'm forgetting someone, this regime has never brought in that archetype of center to develop, not even a second rounder or two-way player. Simonovic, Sonogo, and Olbrich, for example, are all mostly below the rim players.

[MrSparkle]

Sabonis’ playoff stats are a relatively small sample size, but also very mediocre. The cost to acquire him with Vuc as the deadweight salary filler would be immense: three FRPs, atleast.

Maybe the Bulls should look into getting this draft thing right. An amazing concept; miss the playoffs, draft OFFENSIVE star prospects in the lottery. You can find the Sabonis level prospect in the Bulls’ 11-16 range. Just need to have a smart scouting team.

https://youtu.be/twJWsK98Lak?si=reL7ltScDozvBTmj

Sabonis can’t will the Kings to regular playoff appearances. What difference would it be here? Are Matas, Giddey and Coby that definitely better than the compliments Sabonis has had?

We need to add another young star prospect to Matas. Boozer’s baby boy.

[Evil_Headband]

Sabonis’ playoff stats are a relatively small sample size, but also very mediocre. The cost to acquire him with Vuc as the deadweight salary filler would be immense: three FRPs, atleast.

Maybe the Bulls should look into getting this draft thing right. An amazing concept; miss the playoffs, draft OFFENSIVE star prospects in the lottery. You can find the Sabonis level prospect in the Bulls’ 11-16 range. Just need to have a smart scouting team.

https://youtu.be/twJWsK98Lak?si=reL7ltScDozvBTmj

Sabonis can’t will the Kings to regular playoff appearances. What difference would it be here? Are Matas, Giddey and Coby that definitely better than the compliments Sabonis has had?

We need to add another young star prospect to Matas. Boozer’s baby boy.

You have to get lucky to get a Sabonis quality player in the late lottery. That's true even if you have the best scouts in the NBA.

[MrSparkle]

Sabonis’ playoff stats are a relatively small sample size, but also very mediocre. The cost to acquire him with Vuc as the deadweight salary filler would be immense: three FRPs, atleast.

Maybe the Bulls should look into getting this draft thing right. An amazing concept; miss the playoffs, draft OFFENSIVE star prospects in the lottery. You can find the Sabonis level prospect in the Bulls’ 11-16 range. Just need to have a smart scouting team.

https://youtu.be/twJWsK98Lak?si=reL7ltScDozvBTmj

Sabonis can’t will the Kings to regular playoff appearances. What difference would it be here? Are Matas, Giddey and Coby that definitely better than the compliments Sabonis has had?

We need to add another young star prospect to Matas. Boozer’s baby boy.

You have to get lucky to get a Sabonis quality player in the late lottery. That's true even if you have the best scouts in the NBA.

Sure. We might’ve gotten that luck with Matas. Really lucky, cause he was a consensus top-7 pick who dropped hard into AKME’s confused hands (I bet Cody Williams would’ve been drafted if not for Matas dropping).

I’m uneasy about Noa’s ceiling as a shooter and ball-handler. Generally feel like it’s more a no-brainer selecting offensive gems in the high lotto 11-16 range. Haliburton, Sengun, maybe Yang and Queen. I like Noa, but I like guaranteed offensive skill more (esp. if there’s no dispute about playing them rotation minutes as rookies).

I expect us drafting somewhere in the 7-16 range in 2026 and 2027. It’s a good spot for more happy accidents (draft drops). I’d rather have AKMe throw darts there than trade them for Sabonis.

Why throw out multiple chances at that pick for a near-30yo C who has never won a playoff series, doesn’t space from 3P, doesn’t protect the rim, and will get another max contract into his declining post-prime, after his current one expires? The very idea of pairing Giddey’s feet with Coby and Sabonis.. it’s a dire defensive tandem that won’t ever win a 1st round playoff series.