Deni to Spurs with Bulls

[MasterIchiro]

Spurs IN
Deni Avdija

Spurs OUT
2025 Bulls 1st (1-10)
2025 Hawks 1st (unprotected)
Champagnie
Branham
Wesley

Bulls IN
J. Grant (4 years)
2025 Bulls 1st (1-10) via Spurs
Rupert
J. Walker

Bulls OUT
Lonzo (expiring)
Giddey (expiring)
2025-28 Blazers 1st (lottery-protected)

Blazers IN
2025-28 Blazers 1st (lottery-protected)
2025 Hawks 1st (unprotected)
Champagnie
Giddey (expiring)
Lonzo (expiring)
Branham
Wesley

Blazers OUT
Avdija
Grant
J. Walker
Rupert

Spurs charge up with Deni for playoff run. He is the perfect fit with Wemby. This is a serious team all of a sudden. They trade draft capital but retain their own 1st round pick.

Blazers reload picks for rebuild, reacquire Blazers 1st, replace Avdija with prospect (Champagnie), move off massive J. Grant contract for expirings (Lonzo, Giddey) which can be flipped to contenders for draft capital, clear minutes for Camara, deepen tank.

Bulls reacquire 1st round pick, add defense longterm with J. Grant who fits next to Vuc or Jalen Smith. Bulls can continue to compete but become flexible to tank this season or in the near term future.

[ChettheJet]

Yes the Bulls would like their pick back, sure they'd easily give up that never coming PORT pick but a team still with Vucevic for another $20M year and Lavine still with another year plus a $48M option he's going to pick up there is no sane executive who brings in Grant at 4 more years for way more than he's ever been worth. No cap space, a pick at 10-16 at best just plain awful.

[MasterIchiro]

Yes the Bulls would like their pick back, sure they'd easily give up that never coming PORT pick but a team still with Vucevic for another $20M year and Lavine still with another year plus a $48M option he's going to pick up there is no sane executive who brings in Grant at 4 more years for way more than he's ever been worth. No cap space, a pick at 10-16 at best just plain awful.

The key is with the return of their pick, Bulls are at liberty to tank for this draft. Next season, the big contracts on their books get easier to move if they want to tank again. They can add yet another lottery pick. And since they have all 4 draft picks for trade, they can pivot for upgrades using these contracts as baseline salary. There may still be a market to trade Vuc for expiring contracts, no picks. For example, Vuc to Charlotte for Martin, Micic, return of Taj - all expiring, or they could bring back Martin next year on an option.

Coby White - PG
Zach LaVine - SG
Jerami Grant - SF
Patrick Williams - PF
Jalen Smith - C

Ayo Dosunmu - PG
Dalen Terry - SG
Cody Martin - SF
Matas Buzelis - PF
2025 lottery pick - C

[BlazersBroncos]

Portland isn’t trading Deni.

[Texas Chuck]

no need for Chicago in here overcomplicating this. But a Spurs deal where they give Portland a profit on what they paid for Deni makes so much sense for both. Portland isn't going to be good enough to take advantage of his cheap contract so cash out. Spurs will be good enough, so pile up some assets and go get him.

But leave Grant and this insistence on getting teams their own picks back out of this. Complicates an otherwise really smart idea.

[Blame Rasho]

I am of the opinion that most of the bench players that the Spurs have umm suck… and don’t have much value but you have the spurs sending out 2 first rounders( likely late lotto picks) and a starter for a guy who has not really found a niche in the nba in my opinion. It is a tough sell. Is there any other team that would give 2 first rounders for him? I don’t see him as a difference maker at all given where they are at. If I am the Spurs the picks will have more value closer to the draft and I want a star back for them, not a guy who might be the 4th or 5th best player on a team.

[JRoy]

Hard pass for POR.

Draft busts, bad picks and guys about to be overpaid.

[pad300]

Much too expensive for SAS to upgrade from Champagnie to Avidja. In such a trade, SAS would definitely want to keep Champagnie.

Substituting Sissoko and Mamukelashvili for Champagnie would work for salaries. SAS would probably also want to argue about pick values. Deni is having a worse year than last year and he's going for more than what took him to Portland (IMO, of course).

[BlazersBroncos]

Much too expensive for SAS to upgrade from Champagnie to Avidja. In such a trade, SAS would definitely want to keep Champagnie.

Substituting Sissoko and Mamukelashvili for Champagnie would work for salaries. SAS would probably also want to argue about pick values. Deni is having a worse year than last year and he's going for more than what took him to Portland (IMO, of course).

Deni struggled the 1st 2 months in a new town on a new team. Since then he has been the best player in Portland by a decent margin.

We paid the 14th pick, a future 2029 FRP (UNP) and a useful guy in Malcolm Brogdan to get him.

This trade is not more than what PDX paid for him.

[MasterIchiro]

Much too expensive for SAS to upgrade from Champagnie to Avidja. In such a trade, SAS would definitely want to keep Champagnie.

Substituting Sissoko and Mamukelashvili for Champagnie would work for salaries. SAS would probably also want to argue about pick values. Deni is having a worse year than last year and he's going for more than what took him to Portland (IMO, of course).

Deni struggled the 1st 2 months in a new town on a new team. Since then he has been the best player in Portland by a decent margin.

We paid the 14th pick, a future 2029 FRP (UNP) and a useful guy in Malcolm Brogdan to get him.

This trade is not more than what PDX paid for him.

Portland should be thanking their lucky stars they're getting Champagnie in addition to the two firsts. The Hawks is unprotected. And if the teams were to cut out the Bulls then the Blazers would get a lightly protected Bulls pick they could leverage against the Bulls to get back their pick if they want it. This is a good player plus 2 picks that could convey in the 2025 lottery higher than 14 which Portland paid for Deni in a crappy draft.

Their fans want to have their cake and eat it too. Tank, move contracts to win-now players but also keep win-now players teams that definitely disrupt a full tank.

[JRoy]

Much too expensive for SAS to upgrade from Champagnie to Avidja. In such a trade, SAS would definitely want to keep Champagnie.

Substituting Sissoko and Mamukelashvili for Champagnie would work for salaries. SAS would probably also want to argue about pick values. Deni is having a worse year than last year and he's going for more than what took him to Portland (IMO, of course).

Deni struggled the 1st 2 months in a new town on a new team. Since then he has been the best player in Portland by a decent margin.

We paid the 14th pick, a future 2029 FRP (UNP) and a useful guy in Malcolm Brogdan to get him.

This trade is not more than what PDX paid for him.

Portland should be thanking their lucky stars they're getting Champagnie in addition to the two firsts. The Hawks is unprotected. And if the teams were to cut out the Bulls then the Blazers would get a lightly protected Bulls pick they could leverage against the Bulls to get back their pick if they want it. This is a good player plus 2 picks that could convey in the 2025 lottery higher than 14 which Portland paid for Deni in a crappy draft.

Their fans want to have their cake and eat it too. Tank, move contracts to win-now players but also keep win-now players teams that definitely disrupt a full tank.

POR should thank our lucky stars you are not our GM.

Deni is young, on a great contract and a great fit going forward.

This deal sends various draft busts, Giddey looking for a big contract, our own pick (likely a SRP) and an UNP FRP, which is the best asset in the offer.

We do like that you sent Grant elsewhere, but other than that, no thank you.

[MasterIchiro]

Deni struggled the 1st 2 months in a new town on a new team. Since then he has been the best player in Portland by a decent margin.

We paid the 14th pick, a future 2029 FRP (UNP) and a useful guy in Malcolm Brogdan to get him.

This trade is not more than what PDX paid for him.

Portland should be thanking their lucky stars they're getting Champagnie in addition to the two firsts. The Hawks is unprotected. And if the teams were to cut out the Bulls then the Blazers would get a lightly protected Bulls pick they could leverage against the Bulls to get back their pick if they want it. This is a good player plus 2 picks that could convey in the 2025 lottery higher than 14 which Portland paid for Deni in a crappy draft.

Their fans want to have their cake and eat it too. Tank, move contracts to win-now players but also keep win-now players teams that definitely disrupt a full tank.

POR should thank our lucky stars you are not our GM.

Deni is young, on a great contract and a great fit going forward.

This deal sends various draft busts, Giddey looking for a big contract, our own pick (likely a SRP) and an UNP FRP, which is the best asset in the offer.

We do like that you sent Grant elsewhere, but other than that, no thank you.

Deni vs. "draft bust":

https://stathead.com/tiny/v9cGo

Also, I said Giddey and Lonzo can be flipped.

Glad you appreciate the flexibility to use 4 tradeable first for upgrades as Scoot/Sharpe/Champagnie/Camara/Clingan earn them.

Also glad you guys like money (perhaps not as much as the owners who have instructed the front office to dump 32 + 34 + 36 million owed to Jerami Grant).

[JRoy]

Portland should be thanking their lucky stars they're getting Champagnie in addition to the two firsts. The Hawks is unprotected. And if the teams were to cut out the Bulls then the Blazers would get a lightly protected Bulls pick they could leverage against the Bulls to get back their pick if they want it. This is a good player plus 2 picks that could convey in the 2025 lottery higher than 14 which Portland paid for Deni in a crappy draft.

Their fans want to have their cake and eat it too. Tank, move contracts to win-now players but also keep win-now players teams that definitely disrupt a full tank.

POR should thank our lucky stars you are not our GM.

Deni is young, on a great contract and a great fit going forward.

This deal sends various draft busts, Giddey looking for a big contract, our own pick (likely a SRP) and an UNP FRP, which is the best asset in the offer.

We do like that you sent Grant elsewhere, but other than that, no thank you.

Deni vs. "draft bust":

https://stathead.com/tiny/v9cGo

Also, I said Giddey and Lonzo can be flipped.

Glad you appreciate the flexibility to use 4 tradeable first for upgrades as Scoot/Sharpe/Champagnie/Camara/Clingan earn them.

Also glad you guys like money (perhaps not as much as the owners who have instructed the front office to dump 32 + 34 + 36 million owed to Jerami Grant).

I have a counter offer;

POR not make this deal, continue to look for deals to actually improve the team and CHI can flip Giddey and Lonzo.

[MasterIchiro]

POR should thank our lucky stars you are not our GM.

Deni is young, on a great contract and a great fit going forward.

This deal sends various draft busts, Giddey looking for a big contract, our own pick (likely a SRP) and an UNP FRP, which is the best asset in the offer.

We do like that you sent Grant elsewhere, but other than that, no thank you.

Deni vs. "draft bust":

https://stathead.com/tiny/v9cGo

Also, I said Giddey and Lonzo can be flipped.

Glad you appreciate the flexibility to use 4 tradeable first for upgrades as Scoot/Sharpe/Champagnie/Camara/Clingan earn them.

Also glad you guys like money (perhaps not as much as the owners who have instructed the front office to dump 32 + 34 + 36 million owed to Jerami Grant).

I have a counter offer;

POR not make this deal, continue to look for deals to actually improve the team and CHI can flip Giddey and Lonzo.

What no comment about how Champagnie is scoring more efficiently than Avdija?

[pipfan]

I really like Deni to SA or OKC
Port should sell high. I like OKC's offer more if they'd go Topic, Dieng and a pick

[DiegoChara]

Portland should be thanking their lucky stars they're getting Champagnie in addition to the two firsts. The Hawks is unprotected. And if the teams were to cut out the Bulls then the Blazers would get a lightly protected Bulls pick they could leverage against the Bulls to get back their pick if they want it. This is a good player plus 2 picks that could convey in the 2025 lottery higher than 14 which Portland paid for Deni in a crappy draft.

Their fans want to have their cake and eat it too. Tank, move contracts to win-now players but also keep win-now players teams that definitely disrupt a full tank.

POR should thank our lucky stars you are not our GM.

Deni is young, on a great contract and a great fit going forward.

This deal sends various draft busts, Giddey looking for a big contract, our own pick (likely a SRP) and an UNP FRP, which is the best asset in the offer.

We do like that you sent Grant elsewhere, but other than that, no thank you.

Deni vs. "draft bust":

https://stathead.com/tiny/v9cGo

Also, I said Giddey and Lonzo can be flipped.

Glad you appreciate the flexibility to use 4 tradeable first for upgrades as Scoot/Sharpe/Champagnie/Camara/Clingan earn them.

Also glad you guys like money (perhaps not as much as the owners who have instructed the front office to dump 32 + 34 + 36 million owed to Jerami Grant).

It’s been reported that ownership Instructed the front office to dump Grant? Do you happen to remember where you saw that? I’d be interested to read it.

[JRoy]

Deni vs. "draft bust":

https://stathead.com/tiny/v9cGo

Also, I said Giddey and Lonzo can be flipped.

Glad you appreciate the flexibility to use 4 tradeable first for upgrades as Scoot/Sharpe/Champagnie/Camara/Clingan earn them.

Also glad you guys like money (perhaps not as much as the owners who have instructed the front office to dump 32 + 34 + 36 million owed to Jerami Grant).

I have a counter offer;

POR not make this deal, continue to look for deals to actually improve the team and CHI can flip Giddey and Lonzo.

What no comment about how Champagnie is scoring more efficiently than Avdija?

Good for him?

Deni had a rough couple months adjusting to a new team and a new non-system. He has showed a marked improvement in production over the last several weeks and shown some chops as a playmaker which this team needs without a competent Pg on the roster.

No interest in swapping Deni for that offer.

[MasterIchiro]

I have a counter offer;

POR not make this deal, continue to look for deals to actually improve the team and CHI can flip Giddey and Lonzo.

What no comment about how Champagnie is scoring more efficiently than Avdija?

Good for him?

Deni had a rough couple months adjusting to a new team and a new non-system. He has showed a marked improvement in production over the last several weeks and shown some chops as a playmaker which this team needs without a competent Pg on the roster.

No interest in swapping Deni for that offer.

So Deni had a rough couple months and Champagnie, who is 1 year younger, is still a draft bust? Or are they closer than you thought? You can admit it.

[JRoy]

What no comment about how Champagnie is scoring more efficiently than Avdija?

Good for him?

Deni had a rough couple months adjusting to a new team and a new non-system. He has showed a marked improvement in production over the last several weeks and shown some chops as a playmaker which this team needs without a competent Pg on the roster.

No interest in swapping Deni for that offer.

So Deni had a rough couple months and Champagnie, who is 1 year younger, is still a draft bust? Or are they closer than you thought? You can admit it.

How is he as a playmaker or defensive player.

I think there are 2 guys with that same last name.

[MasterIchiro]

Much too expensive for SAS to upgrade from Champagnie to Avidja. In such a trade, SAS would definitely want to keep Champagnie.

Substituting Sissoko and Mamukelashvili for Champagnie would work for salaries. SAS would probably also want to argue about pick values. Deni is having a worse year than last year and he's going for more than what took him to Portland (IMO, of course).

I agree the Spurs are paying a premium for Avdija here, but he's such a perfect fitting piece for San Antonio. And the premium is small. He's young enough to fit the window for the Spurs. San Antonio could have 3 firsts in one draft and with the way they are competing for a playoff spot, I don't see bringing in 3 rookies next season. The most important pick is the Spurs own 1st in 2025, and they get to keep it here.