RealGM

SA goes for 50 wins next year. Pop is getting close to the end, Wemby is clearly ready and there are no dominant teams. If Wemby improves and they do a deal like this, I think they win 50+ games next season

Chi SHOULD rebuild, but they won't blow it up. This moves frees up shots/minutes for Lavine, to pump up his value for a Jan trade. They can resign DDR too, and deal him (and Caruso) in Jan as well, setting up a 2nd half tank and a rebuild-once the season tickets have been sold
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Utah should go all in on the next draft (they have Clev/Minny unprotected picks and theirs is protected top 10 to OKC). The West is too tough and Lauri needs to get paid and should try to win now. They have some interesting young pieces in Henricks, Kessler and George plus the #10 pick. This move adds a lot more picks and puts them clearly in the bottom five for next June's draft.

Bulls send CWhite to SA and the Port pick to Utah
Bulls get #8 pick and their '25 pick back plus DGraham (Bulls decline option, stretch what he's owed)

Utah sends Lauri to SA
Utah gets #4, '25 ATL pick, Branham or Wesley (not sure which) plus the Port pick and Collins (for Salary matching)

SA sends #8/Chi '25 pick/DGraham to Chi and #4 pick/'25 ATL pick plus Collins to Utah
SA gets CWhite and Lauri


Utah builds around #4/#10/their young guys plus 4 picks next summer, and try to trade other vets like Collins and Clarkson. Not sure if they keep Sexton too, or deal him.

Bulls stay mediocre to start the year. This deal save $ to resign DDR/PWill/Drummond. Bulls start the year with
Ayo/Caruso/Carter
Lavine/Caruso/Terry
DDR/Caruso/Terry
PWill/Phillips
Vuc/Drummond
Plus #8 and #11 and whatever Ball can do. In Jan, they deal Lavine (whose value should be higher), Caruso, Drummond and DDR and start over

SA goes for it, with A LOT more shooting/spacing/scoring to help Wemby. Both Lauri and White are great guys and ok on D, and will really help SA win games and build a culture around Wemby. I think SA could renegotiate Lauri and extend him-not sure of the logistics. This team is a winner
White/TJones
Vassell/Branham or Wesley
Champaign/Johnson
Lauri/Sochan
Wemby/Sochan

Let Pops work his magic and Wemby compete for the MVP-no reason to wait

I think the Spurs can realistic shoot to be a 40-45 win team next year by making smart decisions with their cap and drafting players at #4 and #8.

I don't think mortgaging the draft for this makes sense, though I get the sense Utah values Lauri far more than this--even as an expiring.

I can't make the Spurs do anything, but I cannot imagine they'd want to do any trade like this. First, I wish the idea that the Spurs would trade a top-10 pick for White would go away. It doesn't make sense. It never did, and it makes less sense now. Second, the Spurs aren't close to being a contender. They are years away from a major win-now trade. I'm all for a shrewd move for an older vet. But basically anyone under 28 is a no-go for a major acquisition.

This is no better than when you were just sending Coby White and the PORT pick to SAS and getting #8 and the Bulls pick back. While claiming the Bulls wouldn't blow it up but then seeing them make the same mid season deals as here.

DeRozan is 10 times more difficult to trade after he signs a huge new contract because there are even fewer than the small number of teams interested in him that have assets to send back. Moving him before teams draft, going through free agency and trade is the time, when teams have more flexibility.

I'd do this if I was running SAS (though there would be discussions about which picks and if CHI should be involved at all). Not so sure that Utah or Chicago would...

Tanking doesn't work. Look at Detroit,worst record last two seasons and came away with 5th pick.

Colbinii wrote:I think the Spurs can realistic shoot to be a 40-45 win team next year by making smart decisions with their cap and drafting players at #4 and #8.

I don't think mortgaging the draft for this makes sense, though I get the sense Utah values Lauri far more than this--even as an expiring.

Agree. Huge overpay by SA.