What exactly is the plan?

[WindyCityBorn]

Right now my expectation is that this team is 6th-8th seed. If we somehow miss that, then I *might* entertain an early ride on the Fire ArtMarcDorf train.

Winning record is my expectation. Anything below .500 is a failure. We lost so many winnable games and games we flat out choked away last season.

[HomoSapien]

We are starting to get hints that Leonard is unhappy in LA. This guy has left two championship organizations, so at this point I have no idea what’s appealing to him, but being supported by our two All-Stars would at least reduce the burden on him and allow him to rest throughout the season.

[BullChit]

We are starting to get hints that Leonard is unhappy in LA. This guy has left two championship organizations, so at this point I have no idea what’s appealing to him, but being supported by our two All-Stars would at least reduce the burden on him and allow him to rest throughout the season.

Resting during the season does seem to be a big thing for him doesn't it.

[BullChit]

No doubt about it.

I'll bet we could trade Zach to GS for #7 and #14, and I'm sure we could get a low lottery pick for Vuc... then we'll have all kinds of trade assets!!!!


I like the above idea. 3 first round picks plus our 2nd round pick, now you have a young team on the rise. but does GS need Zach?

This is why this forum was designed for people that want to be pretend GMs. I really hope this is sarcasm and you don’t actually believe me that horrible set of transactions is good . A good team on the rise because we acquired got some mid to late lotto picks? JFC.

Yes yes but... Does GS need Zach?

[WindyCityBorn]

We are starting to get hints that Leonard is unhappy in LA. This guy has left two championship organizations, so at this point I have no idea what’s appealing to him, but being supported by our two All-Stars would at least reduce the burden on him and allow him to rest throughout the season.

Is there any way possible we could even offer him a max? Doesn’t seem realistic this Summer with Aminu terrible contract.

[dougthonus]

What's the big deal about releasing Lauri's cap hold if we can't S&T him for anything more than a 2nd anyway?

I don't think this is a big deal. I'm more of an operate over the cap guy, but I don't think it's a big deal to release Lauri's cap hold and go under if you think there is some value there in FA. My apologies if I implied otherwise.

My general point is that we probably won't get anything for Lauri, if we do get something for him the cost will probably be our ability to operate under the cap (though for me that's not necessarily a huge issue as I would operate over anyway).

[Andi Obst]

We are starting to get hints that Leonard is unhappy in LA. This guy has left two championship organizations, so at this point I have no idea what’s appealing to him, but being supported by our two All-Stars would at least reduce the burden on him and allow him to rest throughout the season.

He wanted to be in LA when he demanded a trade from the Spurs and he wanted to be in LA when he left the Raptors. So yeah, he did leave two champs, but the goal was the same both times. The Spurs just didn’t do him the favor and the Raptors took a risk (which paid off).

He’s in LA now. I don’t see him leaving. And even if he did, it’s not going to be for the Bulls. We shouldn’t waste our time with that.

[Andi Obst]

I would definitely operate over the cap considering the weak free agency class. Just letting Sato, Thad and even Lauri (not a fan) go with almost no real free agent options out there could easily mean that the team actually ends up being worse. Plus you can use Thad’s and Sato‘s expirings in trades instead of paying them less for not being on the team. With so many teams looking to change things up and so few good to great free agents, I’d expect an active trade market. I have no idea who becomes available as a realistic target for the Bulls, but there should be opportunities.

AKME put themselves in a tough spot, let’s see how they handle it.

[drosestruts]

I like the way you think Little Nathan - the Bulls will have up to $42 million in expiring contracts between Young, Aminu, Sato, Archi, and Brown.

I don't think we'll be in a position to use them to nab a good player, but we should absolutely be open to taking on a contract for picks or a good young player. (Love and Sexton?)

[sco]

I would definitely operate over the cap considering the weak free agency class. Just letting Sato, Thad and even Lauri (not a fan) go with almost no real free agent options out there could easily mean that the team actually ends up being worse. Plus you can use Thad’s and Sato‘s expirings in trades instead of paying them less for not being on the team. With so many teams looking to change things up and so few good to great free agents, I’d expect an active trade market. I have no idea who becomes available as a realistic target for the Bulls, but there should be opportunities.

AKME put themselves in a tough spot, let’s see how they handle it.

I agree with that approach, but I disagree that AKME put themselves in a tough spot (or at least tougher than they would otherwise be in). Vuc for (WCJ - who showed he is just a backup C, #8 pick this year and a pick 1-4 protected in 2023) still feels like a deal I'd do. Folks feel like those 2 picks were going to nab us someone better right now or those picks would be our foundation. We'd be chasing the same phantom deals with those mediocre picks and have one less good player on the team. If AKME failed at the deadline, it was for not dumping Lauri and Coby for anything they could get - Lauri will now go for nothing and Coby will have no trade value this or next season as he's shown that he's just a bench guy.

[Andi Obst]

I agree with that approach, but I disagree that AKME put themselves in a tough spot (or at least tougher than they would otherwise be in).

They made it clear they want to win-now. They will now have to do that with a roster that has lots of question marks, not a lot of financial flexibility and without the 2022/2024 picks to deal (or use). To me, that's a very tough spot and a lot more challenging (right now) then the "wait and see" route (stand pat at the deadline) or even the soft tank (trade Vets) and the hard tank (trade Vets + Zach) routes.

[DuckIII]

We are starting to get hints that Leonard is unhappy in LA. This guy has left two championship organizations, so at this point I have no idea what’s appealing to him, but being supported by our two All-Stars would at least reduce the burden on him and allow him to rest throughout the season.

I don’t understand, but appreciate, your continued optimism. But his team reached the WCF. Even if he were, theoretically, to leave, there is nothing about Kawhi’s career to suggest he’s interested in playing for a worse team than the one he’s on. Unless that team is in Los Angeles.

We didn’t even make the play in. We have nothing unique to offer anyone except a max contract/bigger role to a young player who can’t get those things somewhere else.

We are not a free agency player for any established star.

[DuckIII]

I agree with that approach, but I disagree that AKME put themselves in a tough spot (or at least tougher than they would otherwise be in).

They made it clear they want to win-now. They will now have to do that with a roster that has lots of question marks, not a lot of financial flexibility and without the 2022/2024 picks to deal (or use). To me, that's a very tough spot and a lot more challenging (right now) then the "wait and see" route (stand pat at the deadline) or even the soft tank (trade Vets) and the hard tank (trade Vets + Zach) routes.

Yeah, “tough spot” is euphemistic. More accurately, highly likely completely screwed with a sliver of hope to keep us interested for another 6 weeks or so.

Let me put it this way, if GarPax had painted us into the exact scenario we are in now, this board would be in flames. The only reason it’s not is because the guys making the decisions are new and we hope they secretly know what they are doing despite heavy evidence to the contrary.

[Andi Obst]

Let me put it this way, if GarPax had painted us into the exact scenario we are in now, this board would be in flames. The only reason it’s not is because the guys making the decisions are new and we hope they secretly know what they are doing despite heavy evidence to the contrary.

1. That's 100% true.

2. I kinda fell for it.

3. Who am I kidding? I'm still falling for it.

4. I wonder why I get disappointed so much?

[Chicagoat]

Let's be honest. We're in a very bad spot.

Lavine is entering his contract year.

We have less than stellar assets to work with.

Not a good free agency pull.

Failed to make the play-in(to be fair we had some injuries but we lost a ton of easy wins)

Worst case scenario is Lavine leaving next summer. I'm more worried about him being recruited by other players on the Olympic team. Than him recruiting others.

It might make more sense to trade Lavine during the draft before his value drops next season.

Sent from my SM-A715F using RealGM mobile app

[sco]

I agree with that approach, but I disagree that AKME put themselves in a tough spot (or at least tougher than they would otherwise be in).

They made it clear they want to win-now. They will now have to do that with a roster that has lots of question marks, not a lot of financial flexibility and without the 2022/2024 picks to deal (or use). To me, that's a very tough spot and a lot more challenging (right now) then the "wait and see" route (stand pat at the deadline) or even the soft tank (trade Vets) and the hard tank (trade Vets + Zach) routes.

Yeah, “tough spot” is euphemistic. More accurately, highly likely completely screwed with a sliver of hope to keep us interested for another 6 weeks or so.

Let me put it this way, if GarPax had painted us into the exact scenario we are in now, this board would be in flames. The only reason it’s not is because the guys making the decisions are new and we hope they secretly know what they are doing despite heavy evidence to the contrary.

I hear you guys, but I just don't see some expensive FA coming here this offseason. We we going to somehow going to nab Kawhi (f-no)? Did we want to throw those non-top 4 picks for Simmons? We were a terrible team going into last season (it was pretty clear to me that Carter, Lauri and White were all destined to be non-stars with nominal trade value).

PWill was the sort of pick that a we had be clamoring for. If he's a bust, so be it...at least they took a swing on a guy who had a high ceiling (albeit a lower floor).

Don't get me wrong, there are many teams with more paths to greatness.

[Andi Obst]

I hear you guys, but I just don't see some expensive FA coming here this offseason.

True, but maybe win-now was never the best option to begin with?

[sco]

I hear you guys, but I just don't see some expensive FA coming here this offseason.

True, but maybe win-now was never the best option to begin with?

The alternative to win-now is win-never. The tank thing is done, IMO. I think AKME had it right in that you need 3 allstars, and it's a lot easier to attract the 3rd, when you have the 2nd. I think having Zach getting recognition with improved play and Olympics is the next part. If we don't sign any multi-year deals next season, we'll have max space. Pat is the wildcard...if he makes a step forward (obviously there's an IF), he could become that guy - or at least be a very valuable trade chip for a superstar.

[coldfish]

I agree with that approach, but I disagree that AKME put themselves in a tough spot (or at least tougher than they would otherwise be in).

They made it clear they want to win-now. They will now have to do that with a roster that has lots of question marks, not a lot of financial flexibility and without the 2022/2024 picks to deal (or use). To me, that's a very tough spot and a lot more challenging (right now) then the "wait and see" route (stand pat at the deadline) or even the soft tank (trade Vets) and the hard tank (trade Vets + Zach) routes.

Yeah, “tough spot” is euphemistic. More accurately, highly likely completely screwed with a sliver of hope to keep us interested for another 6 weeks or so.

Let me put it this way, if GarPax had painted us into the exact scenario we are in now, this board would be in flames. The only reason it’s not is because the guys making the decisions are new and we hope they secretly know what they are doing despite heavy evidence to the contrary.

I just have to note that the vast majority of the paint on this floor was put down by GarPax. From 2012 to 2019, they used the following first round picks:
#29 Teague
#20 Snell
#16 + #19 for McDermott
#22 Portis
#14 Valentine
#7 Markkanen
#7 Carter
#22 Hutch
#7 White

10 first round picks, no competent players. The best player on the list was traded for a guy who can't stay healthy.

The Bulls are largely screwed because they haven't drafted anyone worth a dam since 2011. The Vuc trade looks bad right now but if you reverse it, the Bulls would still be in a terrible spot.

This mess is going to take years to fix. AKME has done nothing to improve the situation but let's not act like this was anything other than a dumpster fire before they showed up.

Hopefully some miracle happens but I think for the most part, everyone realizes that Chicago may not be competitive for another 5 or 6 years.

[sco]

They made it clear they want to win-now. They will now have to do that with a roster that has lots of question marks, not a lot of financial flexibility and without the 2022/2024 picks to deal (or use). To me, that's a very tough spot and a lot more challenging (right now) then the "wait and see" route (stand pat at the deadline) or even the soft tank (trade Vets) and the hard tank (trade Vets + Zach) routes.

Yeah, “tough spot” is euphemistic. More accurately, highly likely completely screwed with a sliver of hope to keep us interested for another 6 weeks or so.

Let me put it this way, if GarPax had painted us into the exact scenario we are in now, this board would be in flames. The only reason it’s not is because the guys making the decisions are new and we hope they secretly know what they are doing despite heavy evidence to the contrary.

I just have to note that the vast majority of the paint on this floor was put down by GarPax. From 2012 to 2019, they used the following first round picks:
#29 Teague
#20 Snell
#16 + #19 for McDermott
#22 Portis
#14 Valentine
#7 Markkanen
#7 Carter
#22 Hutch
#7 White

10 first round picks, no competent players. The best player on the list was traded for a guy who can't stay healthy


The Bulls are largely screwed because they haven't drafted anyone worth a dam since 2011. The Vuc trade looks bad right now but if you reverse it, the Bulls would still be in a terrible spot.

This mess is going to take years to fix. AKME has done nothing to improve the situation but let's not act like this was anything other than a dumpster fire before they showed up.

Hopefully some miracle happens but I think for the most part, everyone realizes that Chicago may not be competitive for another 5 or 6 years.

Oof that McDouggy trade still stings to look at.