Bulls - Knicks - Wizards

[cgf]

With the news of Lavine's season ending but Chicago still pushing for that play-in spot. Could we see something like

CHI in: Kuzma + Wright + 24 NYK FRP
CHI out: Caruso + Ball + Carter + POR FRP

NYK in: Caruso + Shamet
NYK out: Fournier + 24 NYK FRP + DET/WSH FRP

WSH in: Ball + Fournier + Carter + POR FRP + DET/WSH FRP
WSH out: Kuzma + Wright


Bulls keep pushing for the play in with a PF that could slide Pat & DeMar down and swap Carter for a bigger backup PG to backfill a bit for losing Caruso. Also swap their protected FRP for a pick they can use ASAP.

White | Wright
DeRozan | Dosunmu
Williams | Terry | Craig
Kuzma
Vucevic | Drummond

Knicks give up our pick this year and one of our future protected picks for Caruso and Shamet's convenient contract

Brunson | Caruso | McBride
DiVincenzo | Grimes
Anunoby | Hart
Randle | Achiuwa
Robinson | Hartenstein | Sims

Wiz start picking up FRPs & have the option to regain control of their drafts...POR pick is protected 1-14, 1-14, 1-14, 1-14, 1-14 and the DET one is 1-18, 1-18, 1-13, 1-11, 1-9; giving both a long time to convey.

Jones | Carter | Ball
Poole | Davis | Fournier
Coulibaly | Kispert | Baldwin
Avdija
Gafford | Bagley

[theforumblue]

did a double take on the title

[cgf]

did a double take on the title

good point

[iLLmatic860]

Ehhh i like caruso but not giving up 2 1sts for a back up guard

[cgf]

Ehhh i like caruso but not giving up 2 1sts for a back up guard

A late FRP this year and a protected pick for a guy who would close a lot of games for us and stabilize the non-Brunson minutes seems fair to me. But I love watching Caruso play D, so the idea of having him to throw on 2nd options because OG is on our opponents' 1st option, would just be too much fun lol

[ChettheJet]

It ends up good on the floor for the Bulls. Kuzma is the kind of young veteran guy you don't mind taking on the long contract with. He matches well with Patrick Williams, neither is a big PF nor a small SF but together they make a pair of good forwards. I don't see Wright playing much, when everybody was healthy Carter didn't play many minutes. Now they have forwards so they'd be giving Dosunmu and Terry the playing time at guard.

I like the NYK pick in exchange for the PORT pick which as bad as they look is not going to escape the lottery by 2028.

But it stops when WASH ends up with Ball. The Bulls have the DPE and the insurance, I think the WIZ are going to have to pay him next year whether he has recovered or not. And all he can say today is, he's pain free without running hard. I contend no team wants to spend $20 on a maybe to help the Bulls out.

[nate33]

Given the Knicks already sound defensive backcourt, and their heavy reliance on Brunson for all of their offense, I would think they would prefer Kuzma's offense over Caruso's defense. Thibs would get Kuzma to play good D like he used to when he was with the Lakers.

If the Knicks are prepared to give up two FRP's, I think the Bulls get cut out of this. Kuzma for Fournier and those picks makes more sense to me.

[penbeast0]

Or at least better defense like he did last year and the year before.

[Godaddycurse]

Given the Knicks already sound defensive backcourt, and their heavy reliance on Brunson for all of their offense, I would think they would prefer Kuzma's offense over Caruso's defense. Thibs would get Kuzma to play good D like he used to when he was with the Lakers.

If the Knicks are prepared to give up two FRP's, I think the Bulls get cut out of this. Kuzma for Fournier and those picks makes more sense to me.

Kuzma cost too much if they want to avoid 2nd apron next yr

[cgf]

Given the Knicks already sound defensive backcourt, and their heavy reliance on Brunson for all of their offense, I would think they would prefer Kuzma's offense over Caruso's defense. Thibs would get Kuzma to play good D like he used to when he was with the Lakers.

If the Knicks are prepared to give up two FRP's, I think the Bulls get cut out of this. Kuzma for Fournier and those picks makes more sense to me.

Kuzma cost too much if they want to avoid 2nd apron next yr

*Maybe costs too much. Kuzma's right on the line of what we might be able to afford depending on what OG will cost, if we want to bring Achiuwa back, and how many of our picks we keep.

It's also that based on what our best beat guys are saying, our FO doesn't seem to agree with the consensus that we need an offensive guy and is more interested in another Thibs guy...and who would be a more thibsy 6th man than Caruso?

He could get Julius the ball inside the arc when Brunson sat, feed McBride or Grimes, lead the defense when OG rests, and close games next to Brundle, OG, and one of RobinHart. I love McBride, but he's just a small 3&D guy right now, Caruso has PG enough skills to get the ball to Randle in his spots.

[penbeast0]

There are ways around that. I've suggested adding a Gafford for Mitch Robinson to the deal to save NY around 3 million and give them another healthy center this year and Kuzma's deal costs less every year down to only 19 million in his final year.

Moving one of DDV or Hart might be necessary in either of these scenarios. But, if you want to target Kuzma, it's doable.

[cgf]

There are ways around that. I've suggested adding a Gafford for Mitch Robinson to the deal to save NY around 3 million and give them another healthy center this year and Kuzma's deal costs less every year down to only 19 million in his final year.

Moving one of DDV or Hart might be necessary in either of these scenarios. But, if you want to target Kuzma, it's doable.

It might work just by letting Achiuwa...who wouldn't be as needed with Kuzma on board...go, trading our picks for future picks and hoping OG agreed to a deal averaging 35-40M per and not the full max.

But again our FO doesn't seem to be interested in guys like Brogdon, Murray, Clarkson, as much as Bruce Brown. So I think they'd target Caruso over Kuzma.

[Rockazoids]

I know cgf loves him so CHI Bull but there is no reason to trade 2 1st for the anger baby.

[nate33]

Given the Knicks already sound defensive backcourt, and their heavy reliance on Brunson for all of their offense, I would think they would prefer Kuzma's offense over Caruso's defense. Thibs would get Kuzma to play good D like he used to when he was with the Lakers.

If the Knicks are prepared to give up two FRP's, I think the Bulls get cut out of this. Kuzma for Fournier and those picks makes more sense to me.

Kuzma cost too much if they want to avoid 2nd apron next yr

Really?

I see you have a payroll of just $122M for
Randle
Brunson
Anunoby
Robinson
Hart
DiVincenzo
Grimes
Sims
McBride

Kuzma gets you up to $145M. The 2nd Apron is $201M
That's enough room for Hartenstein and a substantial raise for Anunoby, and any remaining draft picks.

[cgf]

I know cgf loves him so CHI Bull but there is no reason to trade 2 1st for the anger baby.

If we can get him for just 1 then all the better, but he'd be a pretty perfect fit if we want to keep Achiuwa and our FO is targeting a thibsy guy who could be a closing option.

[cgf]

Given the Knicks already sound defensive backcourt, and their heavy reliance on Brunson for all of their offense, I would think they would prefer Kuzma's offense over Caruso's defense. Thibs would get Kuzma to play good D like he used to when he was with the Lakers.

If the Knicks are prepared to give up two FRP's, I think the Bulls get cut out of this. Kuzma for Fournier and those picks makes more sense to me.

Kuzma cost too much if they want to avoid 2nd apron next yr

Really?

I see you have a payroll of just $122M for
Randle
Brunson
Anunoby
Robinson
Hart
DiVincenzo
Grimes
Sims
McBride

Kuzma gets you up to $145M. The 2nd Apron is $201M
That's enough room for Hartenstein and a substantial raise for Anunoby, and any remaining draft picks.

I hope 50M should be enough to re-sign both Anunoby & Hartenstein, but it might not be if OG wants more than 40M a year. And isn't the supertax projected around 190M not 200M?

Plus Achiuwa is playing his way into a new contract from the Knicks as well.

[cgf]

It ends up good on the floor for the Bulls. Kuzma is the kind of young veteran guy you don't mind taking on the long contract with. He matches well with Patrick Williams, neither is a big PF nor a small SF but together they make a pair of good forwards. I don't see Wright playing much, when everybody was healthy Carter didn't play many minutes. Now they have forwards so they'd be giving Dosunmu and Terry the playing time at guard.

I like the NYK pick in exchange for the PORT pick which as bad as they look is not going to escape the lottery by 2028.

But it stops when WASH ends up with Ball. The Bulls have the DPE and the insurance, I think the WIZ are going to have to pay him next year whether he has recovered or not. And all he can say today is, he's pain free without running hard. I contend no team wants to spend $20 on a maybe to help the Bulls out.

Wizards wouldn't be taking Lonzo to help out the Bulls, they'd be doing it to get 2 FRPs for Kuzma. The cap math for:

CHI: Kuzma + 24 NYK FRP
NYK: Caruso + Craig
WSH: Fournier + Carter + POR FRP + 24 UTA SRP

works too and is even better for us, but I guessed that the Wizards would rather take lonzo's extra 8-9M remaining...that would be off their books a year sooner...for that better second pick and that you guys would insist on it. Not because the Wiz were putting any value on the possibility of Lonzo ever playing again.

[Knickfan1982]

Given the Knicks already sound defensive backcourt, and their heavy reliance on Brunson for all of their offense, I would think they would prefer Kuzma's offense over Caruso's defense. Thibs would get Kuzma to play good D like he used to when he was with the Lakers.

If the Knicks are prepared to give up two FRP's, I think the Bulls get cut out of this. Kuzma for Fournier and those picks makes more sense to me.

I would prefer Caruso. I would prefer White to Caruso but Caruso is a really good defender and can hit the outside shot. With Kuzma's contract I'd be worried about making sure he plays enough minutes to justify the cost. OG is going to be getting paid a ton and Randle is our power forward full stop. So not only would Kuzma need to be dialed in defensively we'd need to get really creative with moving people in and out of the lineup to maximize everyone's usefulness and as we see with Grimes it doesn't always work out. Someone suffers because they can't get into a rhythm or feel like they don't have any room to make mistakes which ironically causes them to make more.

Caruso is just a cheaper and cleaner fit.

[nate33]

Kuzma cost too much if they want to avoid 2nd apron next yr

Really?

I see you have a payroll of just $122M for
Randle
Brunson
Anunoby
Robinson
Hart
DiVincenzo
Grimes
Sims
McBride

Kuzma gets you up to $145M. The 2nd Apron is $201M
That's enough room for Hartenstein and a substantial raise for Anunoby, and any remaining draft picks.

I hope 50M should be enough to re-sign both Anunoby & Hartenstein, but it might not be if OG wants more than 40M a year. And isn't the supertax projected around 190M not 200M?

Plus Achiuwa is playing his way into a new contract from the Knicks as well.

Sorry, I wasn't very clear. That $122M figure includes the $20M player option for Anunoby. So if you ignore Anunoby, it's only $102M. Add Kuzma and it's $125M. That gives you $75M to work with to pay Anunoby, Hartenstein and anyone else. (I don't think it makes much sense to retain Achiuwa if you are already paying Hartenstein and Robinson at center and Kuzma and Randle at forward. You still have Sims as a fifth big.)

It's actually pretty incredible how responsible the Knicks have been managing their salary cap.

[cgf]

Really?

I see you have a payroll of just $122M for
Randle
Brunson
Anunoby
Robinson
Hart
DiVincenzo
Grimes
Sims
McBride

Kuzma gets you up to $145M. The 2nd Apron is $201M
That's enough room for Hartenstein and a substantial raise for Anunoby, and any remaining draft picks.

I hope 50M should be enough to re-sign both Anunoby & Hartenstein, but it might not be if OG wants more than 40M a year. And isn't the supertax projected around 190M not 200M?

Plus Achiuwa is playing his way into a new contract from the Knicks as well.

Sorry, I wasn't very clear. That $122M figure includes the $20M player option for Anunoby. So if you ignore Anunoby, it's only $102M. Add Kuzma and it's $125M. That gives you $75M to work with to pay Anunoby, Hartenstein and anyone else. (I don't think it makes much sense to retain Achiuwa if you are already paying Hartenstein and Robinson at center and Kuzma and Randle at forward. You still have Sims as a fifth big.)

It's actually pretty incredible how responsible the Knicks have been managing their salary cap.

While you're not wrong, Precious is just fitting in so well that I don't think Thibs would let him leave

We got really lucky with those Brundle contracts. We've more or less got two All-NBA guys for the price of one.