Most likely offseason outcome

[ghostinthepost1]

One of the saddest parts of being a Bulls fan is realizing you probably spend more time thinking about how to improve the team than AKME does.

I expect them do absolutely ZERO this off season and roll out the same starting lineup next year that got blown out by Miami at the end of season.

[Stratmaster]

If Pwill is being considered a starter from last year (he was before the trade deadline) I am on the "trade 2 starters" line. And before someone says it, don't ask me what the Bulls can get for Pwill, because I am talking about a dump, not a trade of any value.

[jnrjr79]

If Pwill is being considered a starter from last year (he was before the trade deadline) I am on the "trade 2 starters" line. And before someone says it, don't ask me what the Bulls can get for Pwill, because I am talking about a dump, not a trade of any value.

The problem with that is I'm skeptical a straight dump is even possible. Are you willing to attach positive value assets to him to get him off the roster? I'm not.

[sco]

If Pwill is being considered a starter from last year (he was before the trade deadline) I am on the "trade 2 starters" line. And before someone says it, don't ask me what the Bulls can get for Pwill, because I am talking about a dump, not a trade of any value.

The problem with that is I'm skeptical a straight dump is even possible. Are you willing to attach positive value assets to him to get him off the roster? I'm not.

I'm with you. The only way PWill gets traded is by attaching a positive asset to him or taking back a worse contract. That said, I'd be fine, for example if we were able to somehow trade (not likely given how few teams have cap space) Ayo and Pat for a conditional 2nd, or alternatively to include PWill in a deal for MPJ.

[burlydee]

My impression of AK isn't that he's unaggressive, it's that he has bad instincts on value, over rates guys he likes and doesn't adjust his ratings based on new info. From my standpoint it really seems like AK was just waiting for Ball to get healthy. He really thought the Derozan Bulls had a chance.

That is all to say I expect the Bulls to be fairly aggressive this summer but the results may not be what folks want. AK has a knack for landing the guy people are meh on - Vuc, Demar, Giddey - none of them came without warts and I think league consensus was down on all those guys. He also hasn't cared about fit. So he's liable to trade for any fringe star.

AK trading for Sabonis, Zion, Ja Morant, Lamelo, Jaylen Brown, Green - i think it's all on the table.

[jnrjr79]

As to the OP, I think the single most likely scenario is the "run it back/option 1" scenario, but I would probably take the field over that option. I don't think option 3 is in play at all, but a Vooch trade/Giddey extension scenario + trade for a big name scenario is probably > run it back.

[sco]

As to the OP, I think the single most likely scenario is the "run it back/option 1" scenario, but I would probably take the field over that option. I don't think option 3 is in play at all, but a Vooch trade/Giddey extension scenario + trade for a big name scenario is probably > run it back.

I do think that AK wants to add a meaningful piece to the starting line-up next season, if for no other reason, to show he's "trying". That said, I really don't think he wants to trade Coby, and I don't think he'll trade #12 (except for a different pick). Pat is untradeable except for someone on a worse deal. Ayo is hard to trade given his injury and poor season. That leaves the Por 1st, or 2nd, Vuc, Ball, Huerter, Collins and Smith to bring back someone "useful"...it is possible, but a stretch to be sure.

[GoBlue72391]

If Pwill is being considered a starter from last year (he was before the trade deadline) I am on the "trade 2 starters" line. And before someone says it, don't ask me what the Bulls can get for Pwill, because I am talking about a dump, not a trade of any value.

The problem with that is I'm skeptical a straight dump is even possible. Are you willing to attach positive value assets to him to get him off the roster? I'm not.

From what I've read, AK still believes in Pat so I don't see a trade coming for at least the next season or two.

Reportedly, part of the reason Patton was fired was because AK didn't like what Patton was saying about Pat.

[dougthonus]

One of the saddest parts of being a Bulls fan is realizing you probably spend more time thinking about how to improve the team than AKME does.

I expect them do absolutely ZERO this off season and roll out the same starting lineup next year that got blown out by Miami at the end of season.

We have no roster spots, so without a trade, we're not signing anyone. I don't think a big pivot trade is likely (or reasonably available).

[jnrjr79]

As to the OP, I think the single most likely scenario is the "run it back/option 1" scenario, but I would probably take the field over that option. I don't think option 3 is in play at all, but a Vooch trade/Giddey extension scenario + trade for a big name scenario is probably > run it back.

I do think that AK wants to add a meaningful piece to the starting line-up next season, if for no other reason, to show he's "trying". That said, I really don't think he wants to trade Coby, and I don't think he'll trade #12 (except for a different pick). Pat is untradeable except for someone on a worse deal. Ayo is hard to trade given his injury and poor season. That leaves the Por 1st, or 2nd, Vuc, Ball, Huerter, Collins and Smith to bring back someone "useful"...it is possible, but a stretch to be sure.

I wouldn't be shocked if Coby were traded, nor if he were retained. I think that one is tough to predict. It really comes down to whether you're willing to give our significant deals to both Coby and Giddey.

I do think AK may feel a little pressure to look like he's making a significant move. I don't know if he'll succeed, though which is why I'd say the run it back + use the MLE scenario is the most likely, but it's probably something like 45% chance of that, 35% chance of unloading Vooch, and 20% chance of a "big" move.

[dougthonus]

I wouldn't be shocked if Coby were traded, nor if he were retained. I think that one is tough to predict. It really comes down to whether you're willing to give our significant deals to both Coby and Giddey.

I wouldn't be shocked if Coby were traded, but I'd be reasonably surprised. AK has not in any circumstance ever shown himself to be a guy who can think one season ahead. The idea that we might have to worry about future contracts or total salary over any length of time doesn't seem like a thing he'd bother doing based on past history.

The only reason it wouldn't be shocking is that it might make a lot of sense depending on the return, but from a process perspective, it'd be really surprising.

[ChettheJet]

I'm in the draft #12, resign Giddey and trade Vuc.

If Ayo can bring a 26 pick I'm good for that. If they can move Carter and Terry so they can resign Jones, count me in.

I'm hanging on to the expiring White, Huerter, Collins, because I see them being brought back, White larger, the other 2 smaller deals to keep some continuity in the roster, I know some of you want to do a complete turnover and if it's not done to perfection it's a path to losertown for 5 years to come.

[League Circles]

I think the most likely scenario is to draft someone at 12 and then trade either Vuc or Collins (possibly in a package deal with somebody like Ayo, Terry, Carter or Phillips for a similar type player on a similar contract at a different position - either PF or PG. I think it's obvious we're too crowded at C and we need another prospect there, either drafted at #12, drafted at #45, or coming back in the trade.

The only guys I'm confident that should and will be in the rotation on opening night are:

Smith - too good of a prospect to trade for what his likely value is
Matas- obviously
Patrick - that contract .........
Giddey - re-signed
Ball - because of the contract extension I don't see him being traded before the season if that's even allowed
Coby - too good to trade for his likely value IMO.

I think everyone else will be involved in trade talks, but other than one of Vuc or Collins, there is no single player I expect to be traded. Barring trades our rotation is pretty set, sadly.

[Guru]

One of the saddest parts of being a Bulls fan is realizing you probably spend more time thinking about how to improve the team than AKME does.

I expect them do absolutely ZERO this off season and roll out the same starting lineup next year that got blown out by Miami at the end of season.

My saddest part is two fold. 1) Bulls fans hate their own team. 2) Bulls fans have such strong opinions but pay such little attention that number one on this list is winning despite the fact that its essentially impossible.

[MrSparkle]

Stepping into another shoes... I look at the Bulls' trade assets, and just think "meh." Honestly, most of them are at best worth a MLE contract (if not split MLE). Matas, Giddey and Coby are of course the best pieces, but you don't want to give them away, nor can you move the latter two very easily due to their contract situations. And IMO Ak's idea of their worth is different than the rest of the league's.

The truth is the Bulls just kind of overpaid almost everybody. Or underpaid (Coby & Ayo) after unremarkable contract year performances - which would be great, but they expire in a year. Ayo and Phillips are fairly paid, but no team is tripping over their feet to add replaceable, low impact role-players.

Vuc: $10M MLE or waiver wire buyout. Should be a bargain vet role-player, not a well-paid featured starter.
Huerter: ditto
Collins: ditto

Obviously these guys' value is as expiring contracts. Playable bench roleplayers in a playoff series, but in this age of 2nd apron hard caps, any bloated salary becomes more dangerous for a contender to add in the off-season, and certainly nobody in 2025 would pay Huerter or Collins $18M annually. At the deadline they become good filler, but the deal with expirings is you're taking back bad salaries, so who/what is the asset that makes it worth taking back big salary for these expirings? Having almost $60M off the books seems like potentially the Bulls' best asset, heading into next summer.

Lonzo: Let's be honest... his health history makes him more of a waiver wire vet min contract than a MLE $10M guy, but OK. Obviously a high-risk/high-reward piece. The guy is averaging exactly 17.5 games the last 4 seasons.

PWilly: You'd think he's a high-risk/med-reward MLE, but the season he had, should be vet min if not a 2-way contract. I don't see an alternative to letting him rehab, slim down, and hopefully get back to at least being a competent 3D tweeter like he was as a rookie. It's depressing though. He's on 4 straight years of regression. Praying for a hail mary improvement.

Jalen: Seemed like a good deal, but at the moment, 3rd-stringer 15MPG with DNPs sprinkled along the way doesn't seem like a great use of the MLE.

Jevon: vet min

Dalen: ditto

Then the Portland pick is very unattractive, and the Bulls' picks are mildly attractive. You know they're gonna be in the 8-14 range. Bulls don't have an overstock, so they're not gonna give up picks easily.

So ... If you're another GM, what chips are you really excited about? The answers are easy. Matas, Giddey, Coby if you can score them low. Neither of him AK will give away. The rest: "OK, are these pieces free, or almost free? We'll give you Troy Brown Jr. A 2nd round pick. An overpaid veteran like Jerami Grant."

Our BEST off-season outcome would be drafting a stud at #12, not overpaying Giddey, and possibly moving our 3rd best asset (Coby) for picks before his extension salary becomes a problem. Really hard seeing some dramatic changes, even though we need them. You can't just keep overpaying mediocre players. The contract PW got was crazy. Indiana didn't pay their prospects handsomely until they made the ECFs (Obi, Nesmith, Nembhard). Their extensions kick in next year, with multiple deep playoff runs to show for it.

[Guru]

I wouldn't be shocked if Coby were traded, nor if he were retained. I think that one is tough to predict. It really comes down to whether you're willing to give our significant deals to both Coby and Giddey.

I wouldn't be shocked if Coby were traded, but I'd be reasonably surprised. AK has not in any circumstance ever shown himself to be a guy who can think one season ahead. The idea that we might have to worry about future contracts or total salary over any length of time doesn't seem like a thing he'd bother doing based on past history.

The only reason it wouldn't be shocking is that it might make a lot of sense depending on the return, but from a process perspective, it'd be really surprising.

The way KC talks about him I assume he's going nowhere but I think they could trade him midseason next year under the right circumstances. If we aren't playing well but Buz and #12 are I think they do the same thing they did to Lavine for the mini-tank.

[dougthonus]

The way KC talks about him I assume he's going nowhere but I think they could trade him midseason next year under the right circumstances. If we aren't playing well but Buz and #12 are I think they do the same thing they did to Lavine for the mini-tank.

Who knows, but if he's not playing well then you aren't going to get anything for him (ie, no reason to trade him), and if he is playing well, it's unlikely we will trade him based on our history.

[Michael Jackson]

If Pwill is being considered a starter from last year (he was before the trade deadline) I am on the "trade 2 starters" line. And before someone says it, don't ask me what the Bulls can get for Pwill, because I am talking about a dump, not a trade of any value.

The problem with that is I'm skeptical a straight dump is even possible. Are you willing to attach positive value assets to him to get him off the roster? I'm not.

At this point he requires an asset attached because of length of contract. There is no dumping Pat. His # isn't that bad but his length is.

[Guru]

The way KC talks about him I assume he's going nowhere but I think they could trade him midseason next year under the right circumstances. If we aren't playing well but Buz and #12 are I think they do the same thing they did to Lavine for the mini-tank.

Who knows, but if he's not playing well then you aren't going to get anything for him (ie, no reason to trade him), and if he is playing well, it's unlikely we will trade him based on our history.

I don't think there is a scenario with his contract where we get nothing for him. But I do think AKME could tell themselves he's worth keeping to go on another potential run.

[dougthonus]

I don't think there is a scenario with his contract where we get nothing for him. But I do think AKME could tell themselves he's worth keeping to go on another potential run.

I'm not sure how "not well" you meant by saying he isn't playing well, but the teams looking to take him at the deadline are going to be the teams gearing up for that year's playoffs. Since Coby is a UFA that can't be extended early, it's less likely a team would look to bring him in just to gain bird rights, especially since there are expected to be a good number of cap room teams.

In that case, I think he has to be playing well enough to be more appealing than other short term options, and since most teams in this spot are looking for 3&D type guys, and Coby isn't a defender, he's going to have to be doing quite well on offense IMO.