O'Connor: Bulls interested in Gobert and Mitchell Robinson

[HomoSapien]

I think it would cost Vuc and Pat Williams, but if we could get him for Vuc, Coby, and 18 that’d be a no-brainer. We need major help defensively. The big drawback is that Gobert shrinks the floor for us and isn’t a passing hub, so we’d have find some bigs that can shoot and pass to offset the loss of Vuc a bit.

I do think Vuc has become underrated, but I’d rather take our chances with Gobert. Even if he shrinks in the playoffs, he’d have less pressure on him here with DDR and Zach.

[kodo]

Gobert's weakness against 3P shooting lineups seems irrelevant considered Vucevic is 3x worse as a perimeter defender.

He's not going to be a liability on offense as long as he plays his game, which is to stand near the rim to thrown down lobs. Those are 99% 2 points or a shooting foul. The reason our offense stagnates is because Vuc's defender ignores him floating around the 20' line where all he does is A) shoot a long 2 or B) pass it to Javonte.

[HomoSapien]

Gobert's weakness against 3P shooting lineups seems irrelevant considered Vucevic is 3x worse as a perimeter defender.

He's not going to be a liability on offense as long as he plays his game, which is to stand near the rim to thrown down lobs. Those are 99% 2 points or a shooting foul. The reason our offense stagnates is because Vuc's defender ignores him floating around the 20' line where all he does is A) shoot a long 2 or B) pass it to Javonte.

Good post. Btw, it’d be nice to have a big that can actually catch lobs. We don’t have that athletic front-court player who can catch it near the rim and send it home. Even PWill’s not really that type of player. Having that guy that can get easy baskets is a thing that gets overlooked, and I think it’d be good for Lonzo to have that kind of big on the roster.

[rosenthall]

From the original article

The argument executives often have made is that committing so much money to a defender who lacks creation skills is limiting from a team-building perspective. Gobert gets paid like a megastar but no matter how great he is on defense, he can never match the impact of other stars despite being paid around the same.

I think it's definitely true that Gobert limits your ability to build a championship contender. However, I think he's an easy way to build a perennial second round playoff team since he all but guarantees you'll have a good defense.

It's a matter of taste how you want to build the team, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Bulls would like to consistently make it to the second round of the playoffs, even if they're longshots to win the championship.

[Charlesareed]

Sources have also indicated the Bulls are a team with interest in Gobert (and other centers on the market, including Knicks free agent Mitchell Robinson).

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Me personally and honestly I prefer mich rob over gobert 10/10 Gobert is easier to get tho I’d try swing and trade with vooch for him won’t give up anymore than that for him. Or sign and trade for mich rob with vooch and Cody going to the knicks maybe a future 2nd but idk

[Charlesareed]

Would Vuc/White/#18/Port pick be enough? I think if we signed the #18, then finalized the trade a month later it would be legal

Ball/Ayo
Lavine/Caruso
DDR/JGreen
PWill/random vet
Gobert/Random vet
if healthy, that is a nice team

Utah gets a starting center back, a mediocre prospect in White and 2 picks

That’s a steal for the jazz good thing your not the bulls gm that’s way to much for Gobert I’d offer that for Ayton tho and the same for mich rob minus 1 or both picks and swap out djj for coby

[drosestruts]

I get why people want Gobert, I just disagree with how much it will help us.

I don't get the Mitchell Robinson interest? If you like Robinson - just sign McGee or Biyombo or Moses Brown or Hassan Whiteside for much much cheaper

or just draft Koloko or Kamagate or something.

[fleet]

Well, see Ben Wallace. But we probably could not build that kind of team around Gobert. But I support trying I suppose. Would take a lot of trading

[sco]

Can we at least acknowledge the positive in that it appears that AK is actually exploring moving on from Vuc this offseason?

[kulaz3000]

I'm sure our wish list is long and vast, as it should be. Now whether we get anything done or not is a different question.

I am certainly not super high on Gobert, because one of our biggest issues wasn't our interior defense, but our defense at the 3 point line. I guess you could make the argument that our exterior defense struggled because our team was trying to cover for Vuc's deficiencies as a defensive player. But you could also make a strong case that Gobert gets almost completely taken out of the game during the playoffs.

I really don't see a deal being made with the Jazz only because Ainge is now involved with the franchise, and he is usually tricky to make deals with.

[fleet]

We traded alot of picks to get Vuc and Demar. Don’t think Rudy is a great option since he can’t score. I’d rather go for Ayton if we have to give up assets. Or just sign someone outright if possible.

Don’t see it happening, if this rumor is tru the Bulls have signaled their outlook. They want to keep churning for ready talent, and that’s fine, especially given that this current team isn’t it for a few reasons. But Id rather go that route myself. If so we’ll be in the rebuild wilderness for awhile. Which is also fine. Was never afraid of that.

[The Box Office]

Can we at least acknowledge the positive in that it appears that AK is actually exploring moving on from Vuc this offseason?

This is a great thing. I personally would work out something with DeAndre Ayton first. If Ayton doesn't work out, move on to Rudy Gobert.

[fleet]

Can we at least acknowledge the positive in that it appears that AK is actually exploring moving on from Vuc this offseason?

Vuc can work, but not if his team doesn’t have the shooters and defense around him. Playing with Lonzo sort of was a preview of the needed direction. Alas.

[Michael Jackson]

The general question is if the Bulls truly are planning on paying the tax frequently. If they are, the problems with Gobert's contract go down significantly.

MR has said repeatedly they would pay the tax if they had the team.

Gobert def makes the Bulls better. I think like Vuc he can always be traded later as well. 4 Years left which really means 3 as he is an expiring then.

Also think Gobert has some value there with a change of scenery. He could be used more effectively offensively for sure.

I 100% believe they have no issue in paying the tax. There is a big difference from paying the tax and paying the repeater tax. You extend Zach and have Rudy you are absolutely running into repeater territory or have to di a pretty heavy gutting of the team before the timeline is played out. If I am paying that I prefer going Ayton, simply for age reasons and he is more rounded as a layer (yet still not the perfect answer by any means). If Gobert were a 2 year contract at this point, I think everyone would sign on, thats the DDR window etc... and best shot at making it pay if there is a shot at all. Rudy with 4 and Zach which will likely be 5 with a PO sets the team for the foreseeable future. Not saying that it is impossible, and might be the best "option" but it surely is a a big risk.

The important part of all of this is the skuddlebutt is we know we need to shore up the front court. One way or the other it will get addressed this year. Maybe it is Mark Williams. Maybe it is Gobert. Maybe Robinson? Maybe Ayton? Maybe Nerlens etc.... but you know AK sees the same thing everyone else does at least. I personally don't want to invest too much into a center, I just don't think that anyone outside of Jokic or Embiid is worth it (although I would surely consider Mr Glass because as much as I hate him his skill set is awesome)

[ShouldaPaidBG]

I mean ya if they're willing to pay the tax I'd love to replace Vuc with his polar opposite. Especially considering how terrible Zach and Demar are defensively.

[MikeDC]

The general question is if the Bulls truly are planning on paying the tax frequently. If they are, the problems with Gobert's contract go down significantly.

MR has said repeatedly they would pay the tax if they had the team.

Gobert def makes the Bulls better. I think like Vuc he can always be traded later as well. 4 Years left which really means 3 as he is an expiring then.

Also think Gobert has some value there with a change of scenery. He could be used more effectively offensively for sure.

I 100% believe they have no issue in paying the tax. There is a big difference from paying the tax and paying the repeater tax. You extend Zach and have Rudy you are absolutely running into repeater territory or have to di a pretty heavy gutting of the team before the timeline is played out. If I am paying that I prefer going Ayton, simply for age reasons and he is more rounded as a layer (yet still not the perfect answer by any means). If Gobert were a 2 year contract at this point, I think everyone would sign on, thats the DDR window etc... and best shot at making it pay if there is a shot at all. Rudy with 4 and Zach which will likely be 5 with a PO sets the team for the foreseeable future. Not saying that it is impossible, and might be the best "option" but it surely is a a big risk.

The important part of all of this is the skuddlebutt is we know we need to shore up the front court. One way or the other it will get addressed this year. Maybe it is Mark Williams. Maybe it is Gobert. Maybe Robinson? Maybe Ayton? Maybe Nerlens etc.... but you know AK sees the same thing everyone else does at least. I personally don't want to invest too much into a center, I just don't think that anyone outside of Jokic or Embiid is worth it (although I would surely consider Mr Glass because as much as I hate him his skill set is awesome)

To me it's an indication that AK has no plan and no philosophy whatsoever and is just chasing whatever name is available. Just throwing **** against the wall to see what sticks

[Repeat 3-peat]

Who knows if the FO will make a move for one of those two names but with the reports of the Bulls also being interested in Jakob Poeltl at the TDL, It should be obvious that they'll try to add more size and rim protection. Personally, I don't believe AK will give up on Vuc, I think he likes building around an offensive big man that can do multiple things in the half court. So finding a less expensive back up is more likely.

[Michael Jackson]

MR has said repeatedly they would pay the tax if they had the team.

Gobert def makes the Bulls better. I think like Vuc he can always be traded later as well. 4 Years left which really means 3 as he is an expiring then.

Also think Gobert has some value there with a change of scenery. He could be used more effectively offensively for sure.

I 100% believe they have no issue in paying the tax. There is a big difference from paying the tax and paying the repeater tax. You extend Zach and have Rudy you are absolutely running into repeater territory or have to di a pretty heavy gutting of the team before the timeline is played out. If I am paying that I prefer going Ayton, simply for age reasons and he is more rounded as a layer (yet still not the perfect answer by any means). If Gobert were a 2 year contract at this point, I think everyone would sign on, thats the DDR window etc... and best shot at making it pay if there is a shot at all. Rudy with 4 and Zach which will likely be 5 with a PO sets the team for the foreseeable future. Not saying that it is impossible, and might be the best "option" but it surely is a a big risk.

The important part of all of this is the skuddlebutt is we know we need to shore up the front court. One way or the other it will get addressed this year. Maybe it is Mark Williams. Maybe it is Gobert. Maybe Robinson? Maybe Ayton? Maybe Nerlens etc.... but you know AK sees the same thing everyone else does at least. I personally don't want to invest too much into a center, I just don't think that anyone outside of Jokic or Embiid is worth it (although I would surely consider Mr Glass because as much as I hate him his skill set is awesome)

To me it's an indication that AK has no plan and no philosophy whatsoever and is just chasing whatever name is available. Just throwing **** against the wall to see what sticks

I guess.... If we are to believe the rumor tree that is. AK has played pretty close to the vest so any of these reports are just guys looking to write articles IMHO. The only telegraphed move he made was the one for Lonzo, everything else has been a lil bit of a surprise (Pat, Vuc, DDR, Donovan) That also speaks to your point though that he just goes after what is available if you want to look at it from that lens. I also like going after what is available rather than going after what isn't (ahem GarPax targeting things they never could have).

I don't know what to think of AK, I don't think he has a grand ole masterplan because that is damn near impossible (and even if you do well Brooklyn and Lakers proved sometimes thats not the best) but I also don't think he is some dolt who just sits on his hands and plays a "fluid" game and tries to make moves and gambles. As I said I prefer that route to the hand sitting dolt that Gar Forman was and that Pax allowed him to be, since Pax didn't want the job a long time before it was taken from him.

[Michael Jackson]

Who knows if the FO will make a move for one of those two names but with the reports of the Bulls also being interested in Jakob Poeltl at the TDL, It should be obvious that they'll try to add more size and rim protection. Personally, I don't believe AK will give up on Vuc, I think he likes building around an offensive big man that can do multiple things in the half court. So finding a less expensive back up is more likely.

Vuc isn't as "bad" as he is. His contract was reasonable and he is better than most centers, it is just we needed more from that guy. I do think though that AK would easily move on from him if there is an actual upgrade that makes sense. His cap flexibility and his slightly above average skills make him not a bad option (even if I loathe him) in the big picture. I mean a lot of people wanted Myles and to me he is still worse than Vuc at everything except shot blocking. There is no easy upgrade out there at the position honestly (some thought it was Tristan or Bradley and those were bags of yuck) Poetl honestly makes a ton of sense, but not sure SA is willing to move him because well he is a good "solid" player at his cost.

[Repeat 3-peat]

Vuc isn't as "bad" as he is. His contract was reasonable and he is better than most centers, it is just we needed more from that guy. I do think though that AK would easily move on from him if there is an actual upgrade that makes sense. His cap flexibility and his slightly above average skills make him not a bad option (even if I loathe him) in the big picture. I mean a lot of people wanted Myles and to me he is still worse than Vuc at everything except shot blocking. There is no easy upgrade out there at the position honestly (some thought it was Tristan or Bradley and those were bags of yuck) Poetl honestly makes a ton of sense, but not sure SA is willing to move him because well he is a good "solid" player at his cost.

Poeltl would be my #1 choice if acquiring a center.

From fellow Bulls fan, Stephen Noh.
https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nba/news/hidden-gems-jakob-poeltl-is-the-best-center-that-nobodys-talking-about/1jz5on0fv9mhw1qd8hf9q272m0#:~:text=He%20is%20a%20master%20at,jumps%20and%20avoids%20committing%20fouls.