Shams: Lonzo for Okoro

[JohnnyTapwater]

It's the reports about what AK COULD'VE done that makes me uncomfortable about his decision making.

I wish I knew the vision before I judge him so harshly.

[Betta Bulleavit]

I like Lonzo. Don’t get me wrong. But with his injury history and somewhat redundant skill set to Giddey, it makes sense that we’d do this trade for a guy that should be a nice 3 and D option.

[MissileMike]

For those saying that we were offered a FRP for Lonzo at the deadline, is there anything that substantiates that as fact?

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6128022/2025/02/12/best-nba-trade-deadline-moves-lakers-mavericks/?source=user_shared_article

According to a league source, the Bulls had a firm offer to get a first-round pick and take on future money for Lonzo Ball and extended him instead. Good news, though: 12 of the Bulls’ players are signed for next season. They can just re-sign Josh Giddey, run it back and chase the Play-In again. Yay?

Hardly a fact. I suspect it's just bs.

Regarding this trade- let's hope it works out similar to the AC trade. I doubt it will, but the bulls are giving up a lot less here. I bet Lonzo plays maybe 30 games tops next season.

[Tetlak]

For those saying that we were offered a FRP for Lonzo at the deadline, is there anything that substantiates that as fact?

it was reported by john hollinger and the grizzlies ended up attaching a first round pick to move smart to the wizards, so it sounds about right

memphis was the 2 seed in the west at the deadline and slotted to have like the 26th pick in the draft, though. ended up falling to 18 by the end of the season, womp womp

So then it was probably more about not wanting Smart than not wanting the pick. Right?

People will ignore the full context to push their agenda. Smart was definitely not worth a late 1st.

Meanwhile we have a ton of expiring contracts and a season to see who (if any) of our players pop. We also are potentially finally receiving the Portland pick. They'll at least have the ability to make moves next offseason. Will have to see if they actually do.

[nomorezorro]

So then it was probably more about not wanting Smart than not wanting the pick. Right?

it was probably about not thinking the pick was sufficient sweetener to take on smart's contract. which is an annoying reflection of the front office's total disinterest in draft assets, but all things considered, wasn't really the most egregious example of it given where that memphis pick was on track to land

[drosestruts]

Watch on YouTube

[kodo]

Smart's contract was not bad at all, $20M for 2 years.

But AK got an unprotected future SAC pick swap for Derozan and said "no thanks, I'd rather have Chris Duarte" and happily just gave that pick to San Antonio. When the guy says he hates draft picks, he's serious.

[Red Larrivee]

For those saying that we were offered a FRP for Lonzo at the deadline, is there anything that substantiates that as fact?

it was reported by john hollinger and the grizzlies ended up attaching a first round pick to move smart to the wizards, so it sounds about right

memphis was the 2 seed in the west at the deadline and slotted to have like the 26th pick in the draft, though. ended up falling to 18 by the end of the season, womp womp

So then it was probably more about not wanting Smart than not wanting the pick. Right?

At the time, Memphis was one of the best teams in the league, so it was 26-27th or something like that. Smart expires after this season, but counts $21M this year. I still think I would've taken that deal over this. Smart looked OK for Washington last year after the deadline. I don't think he's any more/less useless than Okoro.

Okoro fits the "timeline" better, but that's really it.

[HomoSapien]

Yuck. I'd rather have Lonzo for 30 games a year. Only thing I can say is Okoro was the former 5th pick so maybe this is a reclamation project? Definitely don't see how there is room for him and Pat.

[Jcool0]

AK doesn't value draft picks & his obsession with distressed assets just seems like an @ss backwards strategy.

[DuckIII]

Does anyone like this trade or have a positive spin? Looking for any rationale to cling onto here. Such a lackluster return.

I’ll start by not being helpful to your request. I would have preferred to retain Lonzo, show he is healthy and playing well, and then trade him for a better return during the season. And if he shows he’s not capable of staying healthy, it’s just a loss if $10 million for one year with an opportunity cost of, well, Isaac Okoro. Hardly a franchise crippling downside to taking that small risk.

That said, it does not require too much spin to see it in a somewhat positive light, as I say as someone who views AK and Emperor Palpatine similarly.

1. Okoro is an excellent defender at multiple wing positions, which we badly need. He fits. (Though admittedly a fully healthy Lonzo can do that and more.)

2. Okoro’s contract aligns the with other contracts on our team and expires in the next two seasons. (Though so does Lonzo’s.)

3. He began with a reputation as a non-shooter, but the last two seasons he has shot it well from deep on solid volume. (Though, again, Lonzo is also a good shooter if he is healthy.)

4. Lonzo played like 40 games in 3 years and has a history, including recent history, of injuries that don’t even include the one that sidelined him for years. He’s not worth much.

Not sure that helps. Great trade for the Cavs. Exactly the type of swing they should look at. As for the Bulls, I feel lukewarm about it. Moves me neither to satisfaction nor anger.

[NesimLE]

Yuck. I'd rather have Lonzo for 30 games a year. Only thing I can say is Okoro was the former 5th pick so maybe this is a reclamation project? Definitely don't see how there is room for him and Pat.

Maybe they liked Okoro as well in the 2020 draft, so they bought on him when he was available. That's about all I've got though lol

[Bulliever2020]

One step closer to our ultimate goal of losing to Miami again in the playin!

[DuckIII]

AK doesn't value draft picks & his obsession with distressed assets just seems like an @ss backwards strategy.

Given his larger approach of refusing to be bad, going after distressed assets is a good idea. It’s how we got Giddey if you need confirmation.

The problem is not this branch of the strategy, it’s the tree itself.

[Betta Bulleavit]

it was reported by john hollinger and the grizzlies ended up attaching a first round pick to move smart to the wizards, so it sounds about right

memphis was the 2 seed in the west at the deadline and slotted to have like the 26th pick in the draft, though. ended up falling to 18 by the end of the season, womp womp

So then it was probably more about not wanting Smart than not wanting the pick. Right?

At the time, Memphis was one of the best teams in the league, so it was 26-27th or something like that. Smart expires after this season, but counts $21M this year. I still think I would've taken that deal over this. Smart looked OK for Washington last year after the deadline. I don't think he's any more/less useless than Okoro.

Okoro fits the "timeline" better, but that's really it.

I get it. But I guess I’m just not as down on Okoro as many people here seem to be. No, he’s not a draft pick. But his skill set (and consistent availability) should prove useful for us. I also wonder if this means we will be trying to bring Jones back.

[GoBlue72391]

Watch on YouTube

There's a video with that exact same title about Pat, too.

[AshyLarrysDiaper]

Okoro is a transition player, and this is a bet that he’ll look better in the #1 transition frequency offense than he did in the 18th (Cavs).

While I think that’s a pretty good bet, it doesn’t justify passing on a first rounder. We’re too invested in play style for a mid-at-best team.

[GoBlue72391]

Why does AK hate draft picks?

[Red8911]

Wow Lonzo is finally gone. No more having to worry about him and his injuries. It was the right move to move on from him but I expected something more than Okoro.

It is what it is at this point probably a lot of teams wouldn’t give up much trading for Lonzo since he still is considered a big risk. This I’m guessing is the best AK can get for lonzo after talking to whoever was interested.

Okoro is a solid player at least, good wing defender and should contribute off the bench. Definitely better player than Philips, Terry and even P Will. He will play a lot more games than Lonzo too and not have to rest all the time.

Hopefully now the Bulls are more comfortable to sign Tre Jones now that there’s one less PG on the roster.

[boozapalooza]

Does anyone like this trade or have a positive spin? Looking for any rationale to cling onto here. Such a lackluster return.

You seriously overrate Ball’s value.

You sure pal? Cause we turned down Smart and Memphis FRP (16th overall) at the deadline. Thats a better offer and was before he signed an extremely team friendly extension.

Like it or not, hes got a lot of value for a contender. Doesnt need to play 82. Just be healthy for the stretch run / playoffs