Bulls' Pieces on the Block?

[pipfan]

The Bulls are an ok team, and will probably again compete for a Playin spot. This is EXACTLY what the Bulls' Board fears, another lost season. We need to trade or vets, keep our 2025 pick (owed to SA, top 10/8/8 protected) and build for the future.

Here are the keepers for me
Ayo/Smith/Buzelis/PWill-all relatively solid defenders who are young and seem like good guys
Terry/Phillips are "keepers" since they are ok bench pieces and don't have any real value
Ball, for me, is a keeper. He's playing great when available and hopefully we can resign cheaply next summer
Giddy-not a keeper, but we dealt our stud Caruso for him, so might as well keep him. I think he's a very good bench piece moving forward, but can't be a starter. I doubt he has any value

Pieces to trade
CWhite-I like Coby a lot, and he's a great candidate for a team who needs a 6th man. I really think SA should go for him, he'd be PERFECT behind Castle/Vassell long term. Problem is, in Chicago he's "earned" a starting role, even though he'd be a great fit behind Ayo/Lavine
SUGGESTED TRADE-CWhite for Jones (buyout), Wesley or Branham (no idea which), Bulls pick back and 2 of SA's seconds (Utah '26 and another)

Lavine-playing very well, even solid defense and his playmaking has improved. He's actually the protype we need at 2 guard, but should be dealt. Won't give him away, and the Lakers could use him big time to help with scoring/spacing
SUGGESTED TRADE-Lavine/Craig for DLo (buyout or 3rd team?), Rui, Vincent and a 2028 unprotected pick swap for Chi

Vuc-playing extremely well for us, now a positive asset. GS and other teams could use his scoring/passing/rebounding, and he plays nightly
SUGGESTED TRADE-Vuc for Melton/Looney and a 2027 1st swap option for Chi (top something protected)

Craig-great add in piece to a deal

Bulls deal these guys, and suck the rest of the year-get a top 6 pick and start over next summer with picks, cap space and some nice young pieces.

So, what are the offers or thoughts on my suggested deals?

[winforlose]

The Bulls are an ok team, and will probably again compete for a Playin spot. This is EXACTLY what the Bulls' Board fears, another lost season. We need to trade or vets, keep our 2025 pick (owed to SA, top 10/8/8 protected) and build for the future.

Here are the keepers for me
Ayo/Smith/Buzelis/PWill-all relatively solid defenders who are young and seem like good guys
Terry/Phillips are "keepers" since they are ok bench pieces and don't have any real value
Ball, for me, is a keeper. He's playing great when available and hopefully we can resign cheaply next summer
Giddy-not a keeper, but we dealt our stud Caruso for him, so might as well keep him. I think he's a very good bench piece moving forward, but can't be a starter. I doubt he has any value

Pieces to trade
CWhite-I like Coby a lot, and he's a great candidate for a team who needs a 6th man. I really think SA should go for him, he'd be PERFECT behind Castle/Vassell long term. Problem is, in Chicago he's "earned" a starting role, even though he'd be a great fit behind Ayo/Lavine
SUGGESTED TRADE-CWhite for Jones (buyout), Wesley or Branham (no idea which), Bulls pick back and 2 of SA's seconds (Utah '26 and another)

Lavine-playing very well, even solid defense and his playmaking has improved. He's actually the protype we need at 2 guard, but should be dealt. Won't give him away, and the Lakers could use him big time to help with scoring/spacing
SUGGESTED TRADE-Lavine/Craig for DLo (buyout or 3rd team?), Rui, Vincent and a 2028 unprotected pick swap for Chi

Vuc-playing extremely well for us, now a positive asset. GS and other teams could use his scoring/passing/rebounding, and he plays nightly
SUGGESTED TRADE-Vuc for Melton/Looney and a 2027 1st swap option for Chi (top something protected)

Craig-great add in piece to a deal

Bulls deal these guys, and suck the rest of the year-get a top 6 pick and start over next summer with picks, cap space and some nice young pieces.

So, what are the offers or thoughts on my suggested deals?

Coby White paired with Ant and eventually Rob Dillingham would be deadly. With all the attention Ant gets Coby would have all you can eat uncontested 3s and as little defensive attention as you can imagine. I also think having Rudy behind him of defense would do a lot for his 119 defensive rating. As for what the Wolves can offer. We have the Detroit first, we several young talented players who could turn into rotation players and maybe even starters for the Bulls in a few years when their rebuild is ready to go from tank to try. Finally we have all the value that Julius Randle can get them. Randle is shooting his best from deep in four years. His defense is bad, but his contract is not. I would also be interested in acquiring Vuc, as I think he would fit in well Naz and Rudy. I suggested this elsewhere, but

Bulls out: Coby White and Nikola Vuc
Bulls in: Leonard Miller, PJ Dozier (will help with the tank,) Detroit’s 1st round pick (lottery protected but hopefully conveys at the end of the 25/26 season,) and whatever value the Wolves and Bulls can get from a third team for Julius Randle. Depending on that return, it could be a competitive offer.

[zimpy27]

I really don't see Lakers interest in LaVine.

I see Lakers interest in Ingram, Lonzo, Simmons. They need a useful defender to start for them. Ingram isn't elite but he's very switchable.

[giberish]

IMO expecting 1st round picks or even swap options from teams like GSW or LAL that will be rebuilding and likely lotto-bound in a few years for LaVine and Vuc isn't very realistic. Your trade proposals for both are reasonable if you take out the picks (20 games, or even 40 isn't enough to wildly increase their trade value from summer). Even then it's not a sure thing for GSW/LAL due to the salary commitments but they would at least consider it.

If the Bulls insist on 1st round picks for LaVine and Vuc they likely end up just keeping them. Which as you noted really isn't a good idea.

[pipfan]

The Bulls are an ok team, and will probably again compete for a Playin spot. This is EXACTLY what the Bulls' Board fears, another lost season. We need to trade or vets, keep our 2025 pick (owed to SA, top 10/8/8 protected) and build for the future.

Here are the keepers for me
Ayo/Smith/Buzelis/PWill-all relatively solid defenders who are young and seem like good guys
Terry/Phillips are "keepers" since they are ok bench pieces and don't have any real value
Ball, for me, is a keeper. He's playing great when available and hopefully we can resign cheaply next summer
Giddy-not a keeper, but we dealt our stud Caruso for him, so might as well keep him. I think he's a very good bench piece moving forward, but can't be a starter. I doubt he has any value

Pieces to trade
CWhite-I like Coby a lot, and he's a great candidate for a team who needs a 6th man. I really think SA should go for him, he'd be PERFECT behind Castle/Vassell long term. Problem is, in Chicago he's "earned" a starting role, even though he'd be a great fit behind Ayo/Lavine
SUGGESTED TRADE-CWhite for Jones (buyout), Wesley or Branham (no idea which), Bulls pick back and 2 of SA's seconds (Utah '26 and another)

Lavine-playing very well, even solid defense and his playmaking has improved. He's actually the protype we need at 2 guard, but should be dealt. Won't give him away, and the Lakers could use him big time to help with scoring/spacing
SUGGESTED TRADE-Lavine/Craig for DLo (buyout or 3rd team?), Rui, Vincent and a 2028 unprotected pick swap for Chi

Vuc-playing extremely well for us, now a positive asset. GS and other teams could use his scoring/passing/rebounding, and he plays nightly
SUGGESTED TRADE-Vuc for Melton/Looney and a 2027 1st swap option for Chi (top something protected)

Craig-great add in piece to a deal

Bulls deal these guys, and suck the rest of the year-get a top 6 pick and start over next summer with picks, cap space and some nice young pieces.

So, what are the offers or thoughts on my suggested deals?

Coby White paired with Ant and eventually Rob Dillingham would be deadly. With all the attention Ant gets Coby would have all you can eat uncontested 3s and as little defensive attention as you can imagine. I also think having Rudy behind him of defense would do a lot for his 119 defensive rating. As for what the Wolves can offer. We have the Detroit first, we several young talented players who could turn into rotation players and maybe even starters for the Bulls in a few years when their rebuild is ready to go from tank to try. Finally we have all the value that Julius Randle can get them. Randle is shooting his best from deep in four years. His defense is bad, but his contract is not. I would also be interested in acquiring Vuc, as I think he would fit in well Naz and Rudy. I suggested this elsewhere, but

Bulls out: Coby White and Nikola Vuc
Bulls in: Leonard Miller, PJ Dozier (will help with the tank,) Detroit’s 1st round pick (lottery protected but hopefully conveys at the end of the 25/26 season,) and whatever value the Wolves and Bulls can get from a third team for Julius Randle. Depending on that return, it could be a competitive offer.

Maybe if it's Ball going out for Chi? Would Miami want Randle? Bulls get Rozier/Jovic and the Det 1st?

[ChettheJet]

Once you admit that trading Lavine is move #1, you don't want to trade the most obvious replacement for him in Coby White. Right now the Bulls have the guard glut but they don't go three deep on high scoring guards so if you stick to trading Lavine, you either keep White or have to trade for a starting, scoring 2 guard. Why force yourself deeper into a corner when you need a center to replace Vucevic?

It seems everybody limits their Lavine and Vucevic trades to two teams in every case. If anybody was interested in those trades they would have been made by now. Trading both of them has to include a 3rd team at least, that's where some picks from the teams that have a stockpile get in the mix and the Bulls take players that really aren't part of their future but get picks to take them.

Every time I step back I want to see where the Blazers decide their future is because they could easily trade 4-7 players. See if the Bulls can give them back their pick, get Ayton and move Lavine. Then somebody wants Vucevic and the Bull get a pick for him.

They end up with Smith signed, Williams resigned, room to resign Giddey, White and Dosunmu with free agency approaching, maybe Lonzo resigns for a reasonable amount, if it's Ayton with a couple of years left, Phillips and Buzelis on rookie deals.

[pipfan]

IMO expecting 1st round picks or even swap options from teams like GSW or LAL that will be rebuilding and likely lotto-bound in a few years for LaVine and Vuc isn't very realistic. Your trade proposals for both are reasonable if you take out the picks (20 games, or even 40 isn't enough to wildly increase their trade value from summer). Even then it's not a sure thing for GSW/LAL due to the salary commitments but they would at least consider it.

If the Bulls insist on 1st round picks for LaVine and Vuc they likely end up just keeping them. Which as you noted really isn't a good idea.

Two things with this
Lavine and Vuc are proven players, and both earned 2 AS bids. They are both playing very well.

Plus, their contracts are shorter now-less of a risk. With so much parity out there, teams could see an upgrade as a good shot at the conference finals

[leo921]

White/Duarte for Ausar Thompson/Reed

Pistons have a Thompson replacement in Holland so add a stud in White who can play 30 mins plus off the bench as
a combo guard or run a smaller lineup of Cade/White/Ivey/Harris/Duran. Duarte is expiring for Pistons

Thompson would be a young defensive G/F who would be a great fit on the Bulls young core moving forward.
Would love to see him work with our shooting coach who has a good history of helping players improve there shots.

[giberish]

IMO expecting 1st round picks or even swap options from teams like GSW or LAL that will be rebuilding and likely lotto-bound in a few years for LaVine and Vuc isn't very realistic. Your trade proposals for both are reasonable if you take out the picks (20 games, or even 40 isn't enough to wildly increase their trade value from summer). Even then it's not a sure thing for GSW/LAL due to the salary commitments but they would at least consider it.

If the Bulls insist on 1st round picks for LaVine and Vuc they likely end up just keeping them. Which as you noted really isn't a good idea.

Two things with this
Lavine and Vuc are proven players, and both earned 2 AS bids. They are both playing very well.

Plus, their contracts are shorter now-less of a risk. With so much parity out there, teams could see an upgrade as a good shot at the conference finals

LaVine's contract isn't that short. I also can't see anyone thinking that LaVine or Vuc are the key to a deep playoff run. In that respect they really aren't proven at all. As trade targets I feel like they're both bargain bin options, appealing to teams that want to do something but who know they really aren't title contenders either way so they don't want to give up meaningful long-term assets in a futile move.

[Godaddycurse]

IMO expecting 1st round picks or even swap options from teams like GSW or LAL that will be rebuilding and likely lotto-bound in a few years for LaVine and Vuc isn't very realistic. Your trade proposals for both are reasonable if you take out the picks (20 games, or even 40 isn't enough to wildly increase their trade value from summer). Even then it's not a sure thing for GSW/LAL due to the salary commitments but they would at least consider it.

If the Bulls insist on 1st round picks for LaVine and Vuc they likely end up just keeping them. Which as you noted really isn't a good idea.

Two things with this
Lavine and Vuc are proven players, and both earned 2 AS bids. They are both playing very well.

Plus, their contracts are shorter now-less of a risk. With so much parity out there, teams could see an upgrade as a good shot at the conference finals

I dont know how much i trust Vuc's production.. career best numbers at age 34 suggest regression upcoming more likely than not.

Lavine i trust his production but not his health.. either is pretty risky to commit a 1st (swap) but maybe a contender think its worth a gamble?

[Monky15]

LaVine, Vuc, Carter to NOP
for
Ingram, McCollum, Robinson-Earl
NOP get a stretch big to add next to Zion and one who can increase his offensive load while Zion is hurt. LaVine is cost controlled for the next few seasons and with Vuc they make less than McCollum and a resigned Ingram. Plenty of spacing and depth.
Murray
LaVine
Murphy
Jones
Vucevic

Bulls follow up with Ball, Giddey, Duarte to Portland for Ayton.
Bulls add a real SF in Ingram and if they can't re-sign him they get out of a bunch of guaranteed money. Should see an improvement in defence and have the rest of the season to decide if Ingram is worth keeping. Chicago doesn't have anyone about to come off a rookie contract so they can afford to give Ingram a pay rise in line with the cap rise if they decide to keep him.
White
McCollum
Ingram
Williams
Ayton

Portland doubles down on the tank by getting off future salary while checking out a pig young PG in Giddey who might fit next to their bunch of scorers who can't facilitate well in Scoot, Simons, Grant.

[scottyg]

Vuc to the Knicks for Mitchell Robinson and Achiuwa strait up and embrace the tank and keep Lavine til next year with a top pick

[Rockazoids]

Vuc to the Knicks for Mitchell Robinson and Achiuwa strait up and embrace the tank and keep Lavine til next year with a top pick

So the Knicks trade their two best defensive bigs to bring in a 3 point shooting center? What's Vuc going to do protect the paint
for KAT? This sounds asinine right?

[Chi town]

Vuc to the Knicks for Mitchell Robinson and Achiuwa strait up and embrace the tank and keep Lavine til next year with a top pick

So the Knicks trade their two best defensive bigs to bring in a 3 point shooting center? What's Vuc going to do protect the paint
for KAT? This sounds asinine right?

Right.

Bulls say no.

[Rockazoids]

Vuc to the Knicks for Mitchell Robinson and Achiuwa strait up and embrace the tank and keep Lavine til next year with a top pick

So the Knicks trade their two best defensive bigs to bring in a 3 point shooting center? What's Vuc going to do protect the paint
for KAT? This sounds asinine right?

Right.

Bulls say no.

Yeah why would CHI want to improve the 26th DRGT.

[Chi town]

So the Knicks trade their two best defensive bigs to bring in a 3 point shooting center? What's Vuc going to do protect the paint
for KAT? This sounds asinine right?

Right.

Bulls say no.

Yeah why would CHI want to improve the 26th DRGT.

Because they want to lose and keep their pick.

[Skybox]

So the Knicks trade their two best defensive bigs to bring in a 3 point shooting center? What's Vuc going to do protect the paint
for KAT? This sounds asinine right?

Right.

Bulls say no.

Yeah why would CHI want to improve the 26th DRGT.

As if Achuiwa matters and Robinson actually plays

[Skybox]

Coby to ORL…he’d have the opportunity to run wild while Paolo & Franz are healing up, the be 3rd guard well into the playoffs, getting starter minutes and the ball in his hands. Suggs, KCP, and Anthony Black form a long and elite defensive backcourt with him adding some scoring & playmaking punch.

ORL sends: cole Anthony, ORL 25 frp (top 8 protected), DEN 25 frp

Cole’s got one more year, then TO…he’s a true candidate to flourish in a new home, but the frps are the key to a quick reload (or repackage)

[jayjaysee]

I think Chicago should have sold two years ago. And should still fire sale even though it’s late. They need to bottom out at some point..

I think they should be open to trading everyone besides Matas (unless it’s just a ridiculous offer).. no team should enter a rebuild with a list of keepers not on their rookie contracts.. if it’s a retool, probably need to keep one of Coby/Zach at least.

I think Houston would look at a Green/Lavine based deal and add some small value.. Trade Coby, start Giddey/Jalen and hope for lottery luck..

Coby will have a nice market though IMO. Another cheap year and a half for his production would really help a lot of playoff teams.

[Chi town]

Coby to ORL…he’d have the opportunity to run wild while Paolo & Franz are healing up, the be 3rd guard well into the playoffs, getting starter minutes and the ball in his hands. Suggs, KCP, and Anthony Black form a long and elite defensive backcourt with him adding some scoring & playmaking punch.

ORL sends: cole Anthony, ORL 25 frp (top 8 protected), DEN 25 frp

Cole’s got one more year, then TO…he’s a true candidate to flourish in a new home, but the frps are the key to a quick reload (or repackage)

Sign me up. Coby is a great fit in ORL. With Banchero out longer than they thought I think they will make a move.