Bulls @ Hornets 12pm CT Apr. 6 2025

[MrSparkle]

Get Giannis with what assets?

Add Giannia to any team and they immediately are better.

2027 free agency

Will the Bulls have capspace in 2027? Both Giddey and Coby will be on 30m+ contracts by then, not to mention whomever else they've signed/resigned by then.

I don't know what will happen with their contracts, but at the moment the Bulls have $27.5M in guaranteed money in summer 2027, and that includes Pat's $18M. Which I'm worried about, but not THAT worried about -- he's 23yo. But I think you dump him, the Bulls absolutely have enough money to lure a superstar and fill the rest with good soldiers... Matas will still be on a rookie deal (and Dalen/Phillips/Lonzo team options).

Giddey and Coby are separate contract situations. I think a big salary on 2Y is a totally fair and manageable offer for Giddey. That way you just punt the decision to the big FA 27, while you have his bird rights, or decide to concoct a more ambitious plan. Perhaps mutually beneficial, as this is a terrible summer for FAs anyway.

Coby's still up in the air. He needs to play like this for a whole season to ask for that kind of money. And then we have to see what exactly next year's guard market is like. Teams like the Spurs, Blazers and Pistons aren't going to be looking for guards. Maybe the Wizards, Nets and Jazz pursue. Thing is, these teams are in the Harper, VJ, Tre and Kaspuras running too. It's just too hard to predict. You just have to see how Coby performs next year.

And then beyond this, you can work out a S&T if all these players are on a reasonable deals. Key is to stay below the apron, and Bulls are nowhere near there. We're poised to have zero max contracts on the books. I get that Giddey's playing out his mind the last month, but it would be a complete shock to me if the Nets or Bulls settled on a full max with him. I should amend that; if he averages a triple-double in a competitive 1st rd series (not some 4-0 blowout), he is getting a max offer from the Nets and/or Bulls. I mean, we all have to admit that might be a good problem to have unless his game completely crashes after an incredible playoff performance against the elite Cavs. But the pros of paying him richly for a 2Y deal (team option) outweigh a long-term deal IMO, unless he agrees to some goofy Pippen money. For one thing, I'd just like to see him play like Nash for 1+ full seasons, not 2 months.

[sco]

Definitely a trap game. Glad we kept the effort high enough to win. Thought I had the date wrong...sure felt like an April Fool's joke where Vuc and Pat lead the team in +/-.

Coby was on a heater. Shooting 6-8 from 3 and getting to line 7 times. Good for him!

Giddey wasn't super efficient, but despite his early misses, he ended up going 7/13, and just missing another trip dub!

Huerter had another efficient and effective game.

Pat didn't look good, but he did look a lot better than he has. 15 points on 8 shots is great for Pat, and I like most of his shots.

Matas had a couple of nice plays, but I got the sense that Billy wanted to reward Pat for not sucking.

[Dan Z]

2027 free agency

Will the Bulls have capspace in 2027? Both Giddey and Coby will be on 30m+ contracts by then, not to mention whomever else they've signed/resigned by then.

I don't know what will happen with their contracts, but at the moment the Bulls have $27.5M in guaranteed money in summer 2027, and that includes Pat's $18M. Which I'm worried about, but not THAT worried about -- he's 23yo. But I think you dump him, the Bulls absolutely have enough money to lure a superstar and fill the rest with good soldiers... Matas will still be on a rookie deal (and Dalen/Phillips/Lonzo team options).

Giddey and Coby are separate contract situations. I think a big salary on 2Y is a totally fair and manageable offer for Giddey. That way you just punt the decision to the big FA 27, while you have his bird rights, or decide to concoct a more ambitious plan. Perhaps mutually beneficial, as this is a terrible summer for FAs anyway.

Coby's still up in the air. He needs to play like this for a whole season to ask for that kind of money. And then we have to see what exactly next year's guard market is like. Teams like the Spurs, Blazers and Pistons aren't going to be looking for guards. Maybe the Wizards, Nets and Jazz pursue. Thing is, these teams are in the Harper, VJ, Tre and Kaspuras running too. It's just too hard to predict. You just have to see how Coby performs next year.

And then beyond this, you can work out a S&T if all these players are on a reasonable deals. Key is to stay below the apron, and Bulls are nowhere near there. We're poised to have zero max contracts on the books. I get that Giddey's playing out his mind the last month, but it would be a complete shock to me if the Nets or Bulls settled on a full max with him. I should amend that; if he averages a triple-double in a competitive 1st rd series (not some 4-0 blowout), he is getting a max offer from the Nets and/or Bulls. I mean, we all have to admit that might be a good problem to have unless his game completely crashes after an incredible playoff performance against the elite Cavs. But the pros of paying him richly for a 2Y deal (team option) outweigh a long-term deal IMO, unless he agrees to some goofy Pippen money. For one thing, I'd just like to see him play like Nash for 1+ full seasons, not 2 months.

I'd be surprised if Giddey accepted a two year deal. This is his first big contract and even PW got a five year deal.

The Bulls might let Coby test the market, but teams don't always do that. I guess we'll find out.

Planning for cap space to potentially sign a player makes sense in theory, but with the way the NBA has been in recent years I wouldn't count on it. Most players re-sign and then get traded. Who is the last player to straight up leave their team? Paul George? That didn't work out well for Philly. Before PG who left their team?

[Dengness9]

I know it's the end of the season, and we're not playing top teams-but I like the Matas/White/Giddey core
Let's hope we add a stud in the draft. We already have solid role players

We're not on the path for a title, but maybe for a 2nd round team. That's MUCH better than we were 3 months ago

I’d be happy with that. Only one team is going to win a title. I just want to be respectable again and competitive with youth leading.

I haven’t been a true Bulls fan like BEFORE for like 2 yrs now.

I’m in a happy place again. I love my bulls man.

Again

Couldn’t agree more with you here. This is exactly where I’m at. Haven’t felt anything like since before Lonzo went down.

[MrSparkle]

Will the Bulls have capspace in 2027? Both Giddey and Coby will be on 30m+ contracts by then, not to mention whomever else they've signed/resigned by then.

I don't know what will happen with their contracts, but at the moment the Bulls have $27.5M in guaranteed money in summer 2027, and that includes Pat's $18M. Which I'm worried about, but not THAT worried about -- he's 23yo. But I think you dump him, the Bulls absolutely have enough money to lure a superstar and fill the rest with good soldiers... Matas will still be on a rookie deal (and Dalen/Phillips/Lonzo team options).

Giddey and Coby are separate contract situations. I think a big salary on 2Y is a totally fair and manageable offer for Giddey. That way you just punt the decision to the big FA 27, while you have his bird rights, or decide to concoct a more ambitious plan. Perhaps mutually beneficial, as this is a terrible summer for FAs anyway.

Coby's still up in the air. He needs to play like this for a whole season to ask for that kind of money. And then we have to see what exactly next year's guard market is like. Teams like the Spurs, Blazers and Pistons aren't going to be looking for guards. Maybe the Wizards, Nets and Jazz pursue. Thing is, these teams are in the Harper, VJ, Tre and Kaspuras running too. It's just too hard to predict. You just have to see how Coby performs next year.

And then beyond this, you can work out a S&T if all these players are on a reasonable deals. Key is to stay below the apron, and Bulls are nowhere near there. We're poised to have zero max contracts on the books. I get that Giddey's playing out his mind the last month, but it would be a complete shock to me if the Nets or Bulls settled on a full max with him. I should amend that; if he averages a triple-double in a competitive 1st rd series (not some 4-0 blowout), he is getting a max offer from the Nets and/or Bulls. I mean, we all have to admit that might be a good problem to have unless his game completely crashes after an incredible playoff performance against the elite Cavs. But the pros of paying him richly for a 2Y deal (team option) outweigh a long-term deal IMO, unless he agrees to some goofy Pippen money. For one thing, I'd just like to see him play like Nash for 1+ full seasons, not 2 months.

I'd be surprised if Giddey accepted a two year deal. This is his first big contract and even PW got a five year deal.

The Bulls might let Coby test the market, but teams don't always do that. I guess we'll find out.

Planning for cap space to potentially sign a player makes sense in theory, but with the way the NBA has been in recent years I wouldn't count on it. Most players re-sign and then get traded. Who is the last player to straight up leave their team? Paul George? That didn't work out well for Philly. Before PG who left their team?

I’ve mentioned this a lot, but there wasn’t a lot of FA movement since 2020 cause a lot of (unrestricted) big fish got their “dream destinations.” 7 of them ended up in Hollywood and NYC (Durant, Kyrie, Davis, Lebron, Kawhi, George, Harden).

Resigning and demanding trades trended the last few years, but the apron rules made it harder… and with a new generation of stars reaching late prime (or early prime) unrestricted free agency, I’m expecting a little movement.

[Dan Z]

I don't know what will happen with their contracts, but at the moment the Bulls have $27.5M in guaranteed money in summer 2027, and that includes Pat's $18M. Which I'm worried about, but not THAT worried about -- he's 23yo. But I think you dump him, the Bulls absolutely have enough money to lure a superstar and fill the rest with good soldiers... Matas will still be on a rookie deal (and Dalen/Phillips/Lonzo team options).

Giddey and Coby are separate contract situations. I think a big salary on 2Y is a totally fair and manageable offer for Giddey. That way you just punt the decision to the big FA 27, while you have his bird rights, or decide to concoct a more ambitious plan. Perhaps mutually beneficial, as this is a terrible summer for FAs anyway.

Coby's still up in the air. He needs to play like this for a whole season to ask for that kind of money. And then we have to see what exactly next year's guard market is like. Teams like the Spurs, Blazers and Pistons aren't going to be looking for guards. Maybe the Wizards, Nets and Jazz pursue. Thing is, these teams are in the Harper, VJ, Tre and Kaspuras running too. It's just too hard to predict. You just have to see how Coby performs next year.

And then beyond this, you can work out a S&T if all these players are on a reasonable deals. Key is to stay below the apron, and Bulls are nowhere near there. We're poised to have zero max contracts on the books. I get that Giddey's playing out his mind the last month, but it would be a complete shock to me if the Nets or Bulls settled on a full max with him. I should amend that; if he averages a triple-double in a competitive 1st rd series (not some 4-0 blowout), he is getting a max offer from the Nets and/or Bulls. I mean, we all have to admit that might be a good problem to have unless his game completely crashes after an incredible playoff performance against the elite Cavs. But the pros of paying him richly for a 2Y deal (team option) outweigh a long-term deal IMO, unless he agrees to some goofy Pippen money. For one thing, I'd just like to see him play like Nash for 1+ full seasons, not 2 months.

I'd be surprised if Giddey accepted a two year deal. This is his first big contract and even PW got a five year deal.

The Bulls might let Coby test the market, but teams don't always do that. I guess we'll find out.

Planning for cap space to potentially sign a player makes sense in theory, but with the way the NBA has been in recent years I wouldn't count on it. Most players re-sign and then get traded. Who is the last player to straight up leave their team? Paul George? That didn't work out well for Philly. Before PG who left their team?

I’ve mentioned this a lot, but there wasn’t a lot of FA movement since 2020 cause a lot of (unrestricted) big fish got their “dream destinations.” 7 of them ended up in Hollywood and NYC (Durant, Kyrie, Davis, Lebron, Kawhi, George, Harden).

Resigning and demanding trades trended the last few years, but the apron rules made it harder… and with a new generation of stars reaching late prime (or early prime) unrestricted free agency, I’m expecting a little movement.

In a couple of years who might move? And are any of them worth pursuing?

I've mentioned Giannis and still think that he'll get an extension and ask to be traded. I know that doesn't seem like his personality, but I image he'll want the security and isn't looking to leave Milwaukee like that.

I looked at the list of 2027 free agents:
https://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents/_/year/2027

Which players on that list might leave their team? And out of those players which ones haven't already re-signed or are not worth pursuing?

After that...who's left? Trae Young...maybe? Giannis (who I already mentioned)? I doubt Jokic leaves Denver and if he does there will be a long line of teams offering more than the Bulls could give Denver. Donovan Mitchell? Why would he leave a good Cleveland team to come to Chicago?

I guess I just don't see the movement that might happen even with the new rules. But hey the NBA is a surprise sometimes. Just look at the Luka trade as an example.

[FriedRise]

I know it's the end of the season, and we're not playing top teams-but I like the Matas/White/Giddey core
Let's hope we add a stud in the draft. We already have solid role players

We're not on the path for a title, but maybe for a 2nd round team. That's MUCH better than we were 3 months ago

I’d be happy with that. Only one team is going to win a title. I just want to be respectable again and competitive with youth leading.

I haven’t been a true Bulls fan like BEFORE for like 2 yrs now.

I’m in a happy place again. I love my bulls man.

Again

I'm not a championship or bust guy, so I'm also 100% fine with a non-championship but competitive team. I hate being in the state of perpetual tank even though I understand the idea (it's one thing if the top pick is more guaranteed), or having an unwatchable team like the past few years with old and bad-fitting "stars" that goes nowhere.

I'm enjoying the current product, with Coby putting it together and taking a leap in consistency, Giddey being the glue guy triple double machine, and Matas' won't back down attitude. I don't know what their ceilings are, but we're still years before they hit their prime so who knows where they'll go. Give these guys a young and athletic defensive-minded C, and I think they'd be cooking with gas.

[eierluke]

I really don't understand all this trade Coby talk?
In order not having to pay him we should trade a potential star, who seems to have a good character and fits very well with what we have in place for
1) another potential star, of whom we do not know if he pans out
or
2) a proven, but unhappy star in his prime whom we have to pay even sooner and whoms best two upcoming years we would waste, because right now we do have a young unexperienced team

Sounds like a stupid logic to me

[WesPeace]

I'd be surprised if Giddey accepted a two year deal. This is his first big contract and even PW got a five year deal.

The Bulls might let Coby test the market, but teams don't always do that. I guess we'll find out.

Planning for cap space to potentially sign a player makes sense in theory, but with the way the NBA has been in recent years I wouldn't count on it. Most players re-sign and then get traded. Who is the last player to straight up leave their team? Paul George? That didn't work out well for Philly. Before PG who left their team?

I’ve mentioned this a lot, but there wasn’t a lot of FA movement since 2020 cause a lot of (unrestricted) big fish got their “dream destinations.” 7 of them ended up in Hollywood and NYC (Durant, Kyrie, Davis, Lebron, Kawhi, George, Harden).

Resigning and demanding trades trended the last few years, but the apron rules made it harder… and with a new generation of stars reaching late prime (or early prime) unrestricted free agency, I’m expecting a little movement.

In a couple of years who might move? And are any of them worth pursuing?

I've mentioned Giannis and still think that he'll get an extension and ask to be traded. I know that doesn't seem like his personality, but I image he'll want the security and isn't looking to leave Milwaukee like that.

I looked at the list of 2027 free agents:
https://www.spotrac.com/nba/free-agents/_/year/2027

Which players on that list might leave their team? And out of those players which ones haven't already re-signed or are not worth pursuing?

After that...who's left? Trae Young...maybe? Giannis (who I already mentioned)? I doubt Jokic leaves Denver and if he does there will be a long line of teams offering more than the Bulls could give Denver. Donovan Mitchell? Why would he leave a good Cleveland team to come to Chicago?

I guess I just don't see the movement that might happen even with the new rules. But hey the NBA is a surprise sometimes. Just look at the Luka trade as an example.

I dont think I wanna read Trae Young and Bulls in same sentence ever again, I just threw up a little
101% nooo!

[Andi Obst]

One thing that's been on my mind a lot while watching games lately: I keep hearing/reading that the Bulls need a "defensive center" to replace Vuc. While I agree that Vuc isn't perfect overall and really bad on defense, I think his value to this version of the Bulls is underrated. I've never been the biggest fan of Vuc (to say the least), but for the offense to be what it is now, the Bulls need a center who gives them a certain level of shooting and a willingness to keep the ball moving fast. Vuc gives them that. Getting a defender who doesn't do these things (say a Gobert-type big) could easily end up hurting more than it would help. Then again, finding a center who gives you defense and some shooting and some playmaking will be incredibly tough.

TLDR: Replacing Vuc won't be as easy as some might think.

[eierluke]

One thing that's been on my mind a lot while watching games lately: I keep hearing/reading that the Bulls need a "defensive center" to replace Vuc. While I agree that Vuc isn't perfect overall and really bad on defense, I think his value to this version of the Bulls is underrated. I've never been the biggest fan of Vuc (to say the least), but for the offense to be what it is now, the Bulls need a center who gives them a certain level of shooting and a willingness to keep the ball moving fast. Vuc gives them that. Getting a defender who doesn't do these things (say a Gobert-type big) could easily end up hurting more than it would help. Then again, finding a center who gives you defense and some shooting and some playmaking will be incredibly tough.

TLDR: Replacing Vuc won't be as easy as some might think.

I'm all for extending Vuc let's say we offer him 10 mio for 2 years (5+5) for the mentioned special purposes
Precondition would be that Donovan promises not to play him more than 15 min/ game

[Dez]

I really don't understand all this trade Coby talk?
In order not having to pay him we should trade a potential star, who seems to have a good character and fits very well with what we have in place for
1) another potential star, of whom we do not know if he pans out
or
2) a proven, but unhappy star in his prime whom we have to pay even sooner and whoms best two upcoming years we would waste, because right now we do have a young unexperienced team

Sounds like a stupid logic to me

Your logic is flawed from the beginning, Coby isn't a star but will be paid like one and that's why you trade him.

It's better to try and find a real star than pay someone who isn't a star but will be paid like one.

[RSP83]

One thing that's been on my mind a lot while watching games lately: I keep hearing/reading that the Bulls need a "defensive center" to replace Vuc. While I agree that Vuc isn't perfect overall and really bad on defense, I think his value to this version of the Bulls is underrated. I've never been the biggest fan of Vuc (to say the least), but for the offense to be what it is now, the Bulls need a center who gives them a certain level of shooting and a willingness to keep the ball moving fast. Vuc gives them that. Getting a defender who doesn't do these things (say a Gobert-type big) could easily end up hurting more than it would help. Then again, finding a center who gives you defense and some shooting and some playmaking will be incredibly tough.

TLDR: Replacing Vuc won't be as easy as some might think.

The Orlando Magic disagrees.

Bottomline, Vuc is not part of this team's future. And we're not going to win championship with him either. I'd rather spend his contract to experiment on other players with better upside in the long run.

[RSP83]

I really don't understand all this trade Coby talk?
In order not having to pay him we should trade a potential star, who seems to have a good character and fits very well with what we have in place for
1) another potential star, of whom we do not know if he pans out
or
2) a proven, but unhappy star in his prime whom we have to pay even sooner and whoms best two upcoming years we would waste, because right now we do have a young unexperienced team

Sounds like a stupid logic to me

Your logic is flawed from the beginning, Coby isn't a star but will be paid like one and that's why you trade him.

It's better to try and find a real star than pay someone who isn't a star but will be paid like one.

Agree with this logic, regardless of who the player is. I really like Coby, but after Zach I'm really nervous with throwing the same thing at Coby. But at the same time there are a lot of guys who is being paid the contract that Coby will be asking don't worth their contract (e.g., Brandon Ingram, Desmond Bane, Immanuel Quickley). It really is just comes down to, "will you pay up?". And it's totally valid to think, "with the amount of money I'm going to have to spend to retain Coby, can I get better value for the same amount of money?"

If I'm AK I will not commit on Coby just yet. Maybe I'll find a way to turn Coby + Vuc's expiring into a higher end talent + multiple FRPs.

But I also understand why people want to pay Coby. Have you seen his post All-Star break numbers?

• Stats: 23 games, 26 ppg, 4 rpg, 4 apg, 1 spg, 2.3 to/g, 50% FG, 38% 3FG (8 attempts/game), 90% FT (6 attempts/game)

• W/L: 14-9

• Eastern Conference Player of the Week: 2

• Eastern Conference Player of the Month: 1

• Intangibles: court and locker room leadership, fit, resilience, played through adversity being asked to play various role including deep bench

[sco]

One thing that's been on my mind a lot while watching games lately: I keep hearing/reading that the Bulls need a "defensive center" to replace Vuc. While I agree that Vuc isn't perfect overall and really bad on defense, I think his value to this version of the Bulls is underrated. I've never been the biggest fan of Vuc (to say the least), but for the offense to be what it is now, the Bulls need a center who gives them a certain level of shooting and a willingness to keep the ball moving fast. Vuc gives them that. Getting a defender who doesn't do these things (say a Gobert-type big) could easily end up hurting more than it would help. Then again, finding a center who gives you defense and some shooting and some playmaking will be incredibly tough.

TLDR: Replacing Vuc won't be as easy as some might think.

The Orlando Magic disagrees.

Bottomline, Vuc is not part of this team's future. And we're not going to win championship with him either. I'd rather spend his contract to experiment on other players with better upside in the long run.

IMO, the reality is that we likely won't be able to trade Vuc for even other expirings during the offseason, much less for cap space, and almost certainly not for a positive asset in return. Most teams already have their preferred starting C's for next season. The few who don't don't seem to have either a fit for Vuc's lack of defense or the assets to give up to make $ work. So he'll likely be here, at least through the deadline.

I do concede that Vuc has been back on an offensive heater since he's come back from injury...esp from 3pt range, which does make a difference for our offense; however, we've seen this show before and it is never sustainable. I'll add to that that IMO Collins has made this team look far better than Vuc when he plays. Removing Vuc from the line-up has the important follow-on impact of funneling more shots to Matas, which is key to this team improving next season.

That all said, I wouldn't mind Vuc coming off the bench next season (even going forward) except for the fact that I don't trust Billy to do that.

[eierluke]

I really don't understand all this trade Coby talk?
In order not having to pay him we should trade a potential star, who seems to have a good character and fits very well with what we have in place for
1) another potential star, of whom we do not know if he pans out
or
2) a proven, but unhappy star in his prime whom we have to pay even sooner and whoms best two upcoming years we would waste, because right now we do have a young unexperienced team

Sounds like a stupid logic to me

Your logic is flawed from the beginning, Coby isn't a star but will be paid like one and that's why you trade him.

It's better to try and find a real star than pay someone who isn't a star but will be paid like one.

How on earth will you know how much money Coby is going to command?

[CROBulls]

this has been a common theme . Peeps are high on our pieces but it's like pessimism is ingrained in us bulls fans .

Bulls fans know what it takes to win. We have 6x banners. Every time you think we have enough when you go to game, just look up at retired numbers. And tell me you see guy on court playing good enough to end up there. And when your answer is no. You let me know back.

Every time I tune in I see a 6'10" 20 year old with no weaknesses

I see 20 year old with a lot of unrealized potential but it's been long time since Bulls drafted All-Star player while still on rookie deal. Too early to put any expectations to be that guy on this kid. If that's the case, you can max Coby, max Giddey and you still good to go. I dont mind.

[Chi town]

I know it's the end of the season, and we're not playing top teams-but I like the Matas/White/Giddey core
Let's hope we add a stud in the draft. We already have solid role players

We're not on the path for a title, but maybe for a 2nd round team. That's MUCH better than we were 3 months ago

I’d be happy with that. Only one team is going to win a title. I just want to be respectable again and competitive with youth leading.

I haven’t been a true Bulls fan like BEFORE for like 2 yrs now.

I’m in a happy place again. I love my bulls man.

Again

I'm not a championship or bust guy, so I'm also 100% fine with a non-championship but competitive team. I hate being in the state of perpetual tank even though I understand the idea (it's one thing if the top pick is more guaranteed), or having an unwatchable team like the past few years with old and bad-fitting "stars" that goes nowhere.

I'm enjoying the current product, with Coby putting it together and taking a leap in consistency, Giddey being the glue guy triple double machine, and Matas' won't back down attitude. I don't know what their ceilings are, but we're still years before they hit their prime so who knows where they'll go. Give these guys a young and athletic defensive-minded C, and I think they'd be cooking with gas.

This is right where I’m at.

I just want to see well played competitive basketball. Lavine Vuc DDR without Lonzo was def not that.

My only concern now is AK getting in his own way.

[Chi town]

One thing that's been on my mind a lot while watching games lately: I keep hearing/reading that the Bulls need a "defensive center" to replace Vuc. While I agree that Vuc isn't perfect overall and really bad on defense, I think his value to this version of the Bulls is underrated. I've never been the biggest fan of Vuc (to say the least), but for the offense to be what it is now, the Bulls need a center who gives them a certain level of shooting and a willingness to keep the ball moving fast. Vuc gives them that. Getting a defender who doesn't do these things (say a Gobert-type big) could easily end up hurting more than it would help. Then again, finding a center who gives you defense and some shooting and some playmaking will be incredibly tough.

TLDR: Replacing Vuc won't be as easy as some might think.

The Orlando Magic disagrees.

Bottomline, Vuc is not part of this team's future. And we're not going to win championship with him either. I'd rather spend his contract to experiment on other players with better upside in the long run.

IMO, the reality is that we likely won't be able to trade Vuc for even other expirings during the offseason, much less for cap space, and almost certainly not for a positive asset in return. Most teams already have their preferred starting C's for next season. The few who don't don't seem to have either a fit for Vuc's lack of defense or the assets to give up to make $ work. So he'll likely be here, at least through the deadline.

I do concede that Vuc has been back on an offensive heater since he's come back from injury...esp from 3pt range, which does make a difference for our offense; however, we've seen this show before and it is never sustainable. I'll add to that that IMO Collins has made this team look far better than Vuc when he plays. Removing Vuc from the line-up has the important follow-on impact of funneling more shots to Matas, which is key to this team improving next season.

That all said, I wouldn't mind Vuc coming off the bench next season (even going forward) except for the fact that I don't trust Billy to do that.

Yes to everything you said.

Vuc is actually keeping Buz from shots and development but Billy is fine with that.

No way AK trades Vuc unless he totally tanks in the play in/offs or he actually wakes up and makes a good move for the future of the team. I actually think he will extend Vuc next season to a cheap deal because no one else wants him and Vuc knows it.

[Chi town]

I really don't understand all this trade Coby talk?
In order not having to pay him we should trade a potential star, who seems to have a good character and fits very well with what we have in place for
1) another potential star, of whom we do not know if he pans out
or
2) a proven, but unhappy star in his prime whom we have to pay even sooner and whoms best two upcoming years we would waste, because right now we do have a young unexperienced team

Sounds like a stupid logic to me

Your logic is flawed from the beginning, Coby isn't a star but will be paid like one and that's why you trade him.

It's better to try and find a real star than pay someone who isn't a star but will be paid like one.

You sure do speak in absolutes.

Coby is playing like a star. We shall see if he sustains it or can take it to another level.

Stars today are paid 45+M per. Not 30M. 30 gets you solid starter with potential.