Around The NBA : 2023-24 Season #3

[HomoSapien]

Stumbled upon this old article:

So just what are the Bulls up to for this week’s NBA collegiate draft?

Not all that much, it seems, with no major move to deal Scottie Pippen. But they do have a plan for their power forward of the future.

And it’s not Anthony Mason, Dickey Simpkins, Corie Blount or Christian Laettner, even though the Bulls have made several inquires the last week about the Timberwolves’ power forward, whose name has come up in numerous trade talks around the league.

It looks like the Bulls have decided to pursue New Jersey Nets free-agent power forward Jayson Williams. A five-year veteran who has played for the Nets and the 76ers, the 27-year-old Williams is a strong rebounder with few offensive skills.

At least Williams thinks the Bulls want him after getting a long sales pitch from Michael Jordan in New York last week.

“He told me all he needs is for me to rebound and he’ll get me two or three rings,” said Williams, who averaged 4.6 points and 3.8 rebounds last season. “He was all over me. He said I was at the top of list. He said, `I had to come all the way to your neighborhood to find you.’ “

Jordan met with Williams in a Greenwich Village night club. In fact, he even waited almost an hour to make his pitch after hearing Williams would stop in later that evening.

Williams earned $1.2 million last season, and said he wants to about double that, suggesting the Bulls had an eye on Williams when they decided to put B.J. Armstrong on the expansion list.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/1995/06/25/jordan-recruits-a-power-forward/

There's stories about Jordan wanting Walter Davis on the Bulls but I don't think I've heard a story before about him actively recruiting to this extent. Williams would have been a great add and went on to be an All-Star before having a career ending injury.

Williams once shared the rest of the story on NBC. Apparently, the Bulls called him in for a private workout. Phil Jackson wanted to test whether or not he understood the triangle offense. He went up against Bill Cartwright, if I remember correctly. He thought he nailed it. The very next day the Bulls traded for Dennis Rodman.

[MGB8]

Starbury meets Rondo, baby!

[Jcool0]

Stumbled upon this old article:

So just what are the Bulls up to for this week’s NBA collegiate draft?

Not all that much, it seems, with no major move to deal Scottie Pippen. But they do have a plan for their power forward of the future.

And it’s not Anthony Mason, Dickey Simpkins, Corie Blount or Christian Laettner, even though the Bulls have made several inquires the last week about the Timberwolves’ power forward, whose name has come up in numerous trade talks around the league.

It looks like the Bulls have decided to pursue New Jersey Nets free-agent power forward Jayson Williams. A five-year veteran who has played for the Nets and the 76ers, the 27-year-old Williams is a strong rebounder with few offensive skills.

At least Williams thinks the Bulls want him after getting a long sales pitch from Michael Jordan in New York last week.

“He told me all he needs is for me to rebound and he’ll get me two or three rings,” said Williams, who averaged 4.6 points and 3.8 rebounds last season. “He was all over me. He said I was at the top of list. He said, `I had to come all the way to your neighborhood to find you.’ “

Jordan met with Williams in a Greenwich Village night club. In fact, he even waited almost an hour to make his pitch after hearing Williams would stop in later that evening.

Williams earned $1.2 million last season, and said he wants to about double that, suggesting the Bulls had an eye on Williams when they decided to put B.J. Armstrong on the expansion list.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/1995/06/25/jordan-recruits-a-power-forward/

There's stories about Jordan wanting Walter Davis on the Bulls but I don't think I've heard a story before about him actively recruiting to this extent. Williams would have been a great add and went on to be an All-Star before having a career ending injury.

Williams once shared the rest of the story on NBC. Apparently, the Bulls called him in for a private workout. Phil Jackson wanted to test whether or not he understood the triangle offense. He went up against Bill Cartwright, if I remember correctly. He thought he nailed it. The very next day the Bulls traded for Dennis Rodman.

Here is a good one:

[HomoSapien]

Stumbled upon this old article:

So just what are the Bulls up to for this week’s NBA collegiate draft?

Not all that much, it seems, with no major move to deal Scottie Pippen. But they do have a plan for their power forward of the future.

And it’s not Anthony Mason, Dickey Simpkins, Corie Blount or Christian Laettner, even though the Bulls have made several inquires the last week about the Timberwolves’ power forward, whose name has come up in numerous trade talks around the league.

It looks like the Bulls have decided to pursue New Jersey Nets free-agent power forward Jayson Williams. A five-year veteran who has played for the Nets and the 76ers, the 27-year-old Williams is a strong rebounder with few offensive skills.

At least Williams thinks the Bulls want him after getting a long sales pitch from Michael Jordan in New York last week.

“He told me all he needs is for me to rebound and he’ll get me two or three rings,” said Williams, who averaged 4.6 points and 3.8 rebounds last season. “He was all over me. He said I was at the top of list. He said, `I had to come all the way to your neighborhood to find you.’ “

Jordan met with Williams in a Greenwich Village night club. In fact, he even waited almost an hour to make his pitch after hearing Williams would stop in later that evening.

Williams earned $1.2 million last season, and said he wants to about double that, suggesting the Bulls had an eye on Williams when they decided to put B.J. Armstrong on the expansion list.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/1995/06/25/jordan-recruits-a-power-forward/

There's stories about Jordan wanting Walter Davis on the Bulls but I don't think I've heard a story before about him actively recruiting to this extent. Williams would have been a great add and went on to be an All-Star before having a career ending injury.

Williams once shared the rest of the story on NBC. Apparently, the Bulls called him in for a private workout. Phil Jackson wanted to test whether or not he understood the triangle offense. He went up against Bill Cartwright, if I remember correctly. He thought he nailed it. The very next day the Bulls traded for Dennis Rodman.

Here is a good one:

Very interesting read. Teams were way more open about what they were thinking about doing than now. It's almost jarring how open he is about everything.

[CROBulls]

Very interesting read. Teams were way more open about what they were thinking about doing than now. It's almost jarring how open he is about everything.

It's not like they were open about it. But there was no social media. Nobody knew anything. For people who are were not Chicago based to read Chicago Tribune never actually saw this article back then. You would basically needed to fly a plane to Chicago and then buy newspaper if you were Phoenix Suns to see who Bulls are thinking about selecting. Chicago people would not know anything unless someone actually saw some young tall man walking to Bulls organization. But they would still dont know their name and who is he until newspaper reported it.

It's just different world now.

[HomoSapien]

Very interesting read. Teams were way more open about what they were thinking about doing than now. It's almost jarring how open he is about everything.

It's not like they were open about it. But there was no social media. Nobody knew anything. For people who are were not Chicago based to read Chicago Tribune never actually saw this article back then. You would basically needed to fly a plane to Chicago and then buy newspaper if you were Phoenix Suns to see who Bulls are thinking about selecting. Chicago people would not know anything unless someone actually saw some young tall man walking to Bulls organization. But they would still dont know their name and who is he until newspaper reported it.

It's just different world now.

Sure, but he's openly talking about trading for players on other teams by name to a newspaper. Maybe tampering rules didn't exist back then, but it was a little surprising.

[CROBulls]

Sure, but he's openly talking about trading for players on other teams by name to a newspaper. Maybe tampering rules didn't exist back then, but it was a little surprising.

NBA was bit of garbage back then as a league. NBA had enormous issues, from drug abuse among players to most franchises losing money, arenas being half empty and when games were on television nobody watched it. Only by end of 80's this started to change. So I am not suprised. Nobody cared too much for things which are relevant now because league had bigger issues than "tampering".

[kulaz3000]

Stumbled upon this old article:

So just what are the Bulls up to for this week’s NBA collegiate draft?

Not all that much, it seems, with no major move to deal Scottie Pippen. But they do have a plan for their power forward of the future.

And it’s not Anthony Mason, Dickey Simpkins, Corie Blount or Christian Laettner, even though the Bulls have made several inquires the last week about the Timberwolves’ power forward, whose name has come up in numerous trade talks around the league.

It looks like the Bulls have decided to pursue New Jersey Nets free-agent power forward Jayson Williams. A five-year veteran who has played for the Nets and the 76ers, the 27-year-old Williams is a strong rebounder with few offensive skills.

At least Williams thinks the Bulls want him after getting a long sales pitch from Michael Jordan in New York last week.

“He told me all he needs is for me to rebound and he’ll get me two or three rings,” said Williams, who averaged 4.6 points and 3.8 rebounds last season. “He was all over me. He said I was at the top of list. He said, `I had to come all the way to your neighborhood to find you.’ “

Jordan met with Williams in a Greenwich Village night club. In fact, he even waited almost an hour to make his pitch after hearing Williams would stop in later that evening.

Williams earned $1.2 million last season, and said he wants to about double that, suggesting the Bulls had an eye on Williams when they decided to put B.J. Armstrong on the expansion list.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/1995/06/25/jordan-recruits-a-power-forward/

I definitely remember the Bulls interest in Williams from back in the day, though I had no idea it was Jordan himself that tried to recruit him. He was a huge body who had a knack for rebounds. That said, it worked out for the best with Rodman, because even though he could have provided the rebounds, Rodman was a much better defensive player.

I still remember watching Williams back in the day and he was so adamant about getting boards, he would fight his own teammates for rebounds, and at times just charge over them or result in a turnover because eagerness to get every single rebound. I wouldn't say he had the best basketball IQ, and I suspect that's why they ultimately went in a different direction, though Rodman of course had his own issues.
There's stories about Jordan wanting Walter Davis on the Bulls but I don't think I've heard a story before about him actively recruiting to this extent. Williams would have been a great add and went on to be an All-Star before having a career ending injury.

Williams once shared the rest of the story on NBC. Apparently, the Bulls called him in for a private workout. Phil Jackson wanted to test whether or not he understood the triangle offense. He went up against Bill Cartwright, if I remember correctly. He thought he nailed it. The very next day the Bulls traded for Dennis Rodman.

[FriedRise]

Lauri's trade value is crazy lmao

Read on Twitter

[PaKii94]

Lauri's trade value is crazy lmao

Read on Twitter

Pretty much best ridiculously efficient #2 (who doesn't need the ball on his hands) you can get on a ridiculously underpaid contract.


.... pretty much the opposite of Lavine

Player who needs the ball in his hands but isn't good enough to be a #1 on a overpaid #1 contract

[Muzbar]

Lauri's trade value is crazy lmao

Read on Twitter

Yeah, Utah aren't trading Lauri is that's what they want for him, that's a ridiculous price tag.

Lauri is good, but he isn't THAT good.

[kulaz3000]

Ainge is going to Ainge.

And he wants that type of haul for a player who has one year remaining on his contract no less. There is a chance he could lose him for nothing considering he has been dangling him for the past 2 seasons now. But then again, the Jazz is the perfect situation for Lauri so it wouldn't shock me if he stays either, but for him to stay, they are going to need to extend him to or close to the max.

[step]

Yeah, Utah aren't trading Lauri is that's what they want for him, that's a ridiculous price tag.

Lauri is good, but he isn't THAT good.

Indeed. Others, including Celtics fans, have commented that Ainge has always been too focused on trying to win each individual trade that he loses sight of the bigger picture. I begin to see why...

I understand wanting a Gobert or Bridges like haul, but now he wants essentially 4 first rounders, 4 pick unprotected pick swaps, and 4 second rounders. 'Tell him he's dreaming'.

[Hangtime84]

Ainge is going to Ainge.

And he wants that type of haul for a player who has one year remaining on his contract no less. There is a chance he could lose him for nothing considering he has been dangling him for the past 2 seasons now. But then again, the Jazz is the perfect situation for Lauri so it wouldn't shock me if he stays either, but for him to stay, they are going to need to extend him to or close to the max.

We already know Lauri camp wants to be paid and wants Lauri featured. Utah Jazz is that spot

[Muzbar]

Yeah, Utah aren't trading Lauri is that's what they want for him, that's a ridiculous price tag.

Lauri is good, but he isn't THAT good.

Indeed. Others, including Celtics fans, have commented that Ainge has always been too focused on trying to win each individual trade that he loses sight of the bigger picture. I begin to see why...

I understand wanting a Gobert or Bridges like haul, but now he wants essentially 4 first rounders, 4 pick unprotected pick swaps, and 4 second rounders. 'Tell him he's dreaming'.

<Insert Captain America "I understood that reference" meme here>

Ideally, we want Lauri to stay in Utah, could help our lottery ball odds.

[kulaz3000]

Ainge is going to Ainge.

And he wants that type of haul for a player who has one year remaining on his contract no less. There is a chance he could lose him for nothing considering he has been dangling him for the past 2 seasons now. But then again, the Jazz is the perfect situation for Lauri so it wouldn't shock me if he stays either, but for him to stay, they are going to need to extend him to or close to the max.

We already know Lauri camp wants to be paid and wants Lauri featured. Utah Jazz is that spot

Except we know that Ainge doesn't view him as that guy to build around already, otherwise he wouldn't have made him available the last two seasons. He only views him as that type of player when it comes to trading him, but all signs indicate that he doesn't view him as that player, otherwise they would have extended him already.

[step]

And he wants that type of haul for a player who has one year remaining on his contract no less. There is a chance he could lose him for nothing considering he has been dangling him for the past 2 seasons now. But then again, the Jazz is the perfect situation for Lauri so it wouldn't shock me if he stays either, but for him to stay, they are going to need to extend him to or close to the max.

Ainge is going to Ainge.

And he wants that type of haul for a player who has one year remaining on his contract no less. There is a chance he could lose him for nothing considering he has been dangling him for the past 2 seasons now. But then again, the Jazz is the perfect situation for Lauri so it wouldn't shock me if he stays either, but for him to stay, they are going to need to extend him to or close to the max.

We already know Lauri camp wants to be paid and wants Lauri featured. Utah Jazz is that spot

Except we know that Ainge doesn't view him as that guy to build around already, otherwise he wouldn't have made him available the last two seasons. He only views him as that type of player when it comes to trading him, but all signs indicate that he doesn't view him as that player, otherwise they would have extended him already.

Oh I thought he had one more year after this upcoming season, but no, it's the last. He's pushed himself into a very tight corner...

If they don't see him as a max contract, they will need to move him ... as someone will. There's quite a number of teams with bucket loads of money coming off their books in 2025. 10 with ~30M or more.

[Dan Z]

And he wants that type of haul for a player who has one year remaining on his contract no less. There is a chance he could lose him for nothing considering he has been dangling him for the past 2 seasons now. But then again, the Jazz is the perfect situation for Lauri so it wouldn't shock me if he stays either, but for him to stay, they are going to need to extend him to or close to the max.

We already know Lauri camp wants to be paid and wants Lauri featured. Utah Jazz is that spot

Except we know that Ainge doesn't view him as that guy to build around already, otherwise he wouldn't have made him available the last two seasons. He only views him as that type of player when it comes to trading him, but all signs indicate that he doesn't view him as that player, otherwise they would have extended him already.

Oh I thought he had one more year after this upcoming season, but no, it's the last. He's pushed himself into a very tight corner...

If they don't see him as a max contract, they will need to move him ... as someone will. There's quite a number of teams with bucket loads of money coming off their books in 2025. 10 with ~30M or more.

I read that Ainge tried to get Dejounte Murray and Mikal Bridges, but nothing worked out (my guess is Atlanta and Brooklyn wanted too much in a deal).

If thats true then Ainge has tried finding players to go with Markkanen.

I thought Utah is willing to give him the max. Have you heard otherwise?

[PaKii94]

And he wants that type of haul for a player who has one year remaining on his contract no less. There is a chance he could lose him for nothing considering he has been dangling him for the past 2 seasons now. But then again, the Jazz is the perfect situation for Lauri so it wouldn't shock me if he stays either, but for him to stay, they are going to need to extend him to or close to the max.

Except we know that Ainge doesn't view him as that guy to build around already, otherwise he wouldn't have made him available the last two seasons. He only views him as that type of player when it comes to trading him, but all signs indicate that he doesn't view him as that player, otherwise they would have extended him already.

Oh I thought he had one more year after this upcoming season, but no, it's the last. He's pushed himself into a very tight corner...

If they don't see him as a max contract, they will need to move him ... as someone will. There's quite a number of teams with bucket loads of money coming off their books in 2025. 10 with ~30M or more.

I read that Ainge tried to get Dejounte Murray and Mikal Bridges, but nothing worked out (my guess is Atlanta and Brooklyn wanted too much in a deal).

If thats true then Ainge has tried finding players to go with Markkanen.

I thought Utah is willing to give him the max. Have you heard otherwise?

Ainge is trying to get a kings ransom. Apparently bridges like offer was already on the table from the Kings/gsw. Ainge didn't pull the trigger. He wants a complete over pay to move on from Lauri. Lauri's getting extended in Aug.

[step]

And he wants that type of haul for a player who has one year remaining on his contract no less. There is a chance he could lose him for nothing considering he has been dangling him for the past 2 seasons now. But then again, the Jazz is the perfect situation for Lauri so it wouldn't shock me if he stays either, but for him to stay, they are going to need to extend him to or close to the max.

Except we know that Ainge doesn't view him as that guy to build around already, otherwise he wouldn't have made him available the last two seasons. He only views him as that type of player when it comes to trading him, but all signs indicate that he doesn't view him as that player, otherwise they would have extended him already.

Oh I thought he had one more year after this upcoming season, but no, it's the last. He's pushed himself into a very tight corner...

If they don't see him as a max contract, they will need to move him ... as someone will. There's quite a number of teams with bucket loads of money coming off their books in 2025. 10 with ~30M or more.

I read that Ainge tried to get Dejounte Murray and Mikal Bridges, but nothing worked out (my guess is Atlanta and Brooklyn wanted too much in a deal).

If thats true then Ainge has tried finding players to go with Markkanen.

I thought Utah is willing to give him the max. Have you heard otherwise?

Well we saw how much Brooklyn got in return from the Knicks, I can understand not landing Bridges. However, Dejuunte didn't go for that much to be honest, so questions are raised in how much he wanted and valued them. He's sitting on the haul from Gobert and Mitchell after all.

Ainge is also known for constantly releasing stories afterwards, oh we "tried" to trade for that guy. It became a running joke against the Celtics.