RealGM

Not sure if he is returning soon (if he's out longer term, maybe not) but who about
BI for PWill/CWhite/JCarter/Port pick? (could be Terry for JCarter)

Bulls will not tank, so go for an upgrade. A lineup of
Ayo/Ball
Lavine/THT/Ball/Duarte
BI/Matas/Terry
Giddy/Phillips/Craig
Vuc/Smith

could be interesting. If BI comes back as his marginal All Star self, that lineup could win some games. Bulls could decide what to do with him in the summer (again, I want us to tank but we won't, so might as well try to get better)

NO gets two young pieces who might fit long term, plus a pick. PWill is having a BAD year, but he's a decent rotation guy in the past (disappointment for a #4 pick, but not a bust). CWhite is a great 6th man candidate long term, and they add a possible future 1st

Are the Bulls gonna pay BI 40+ million next year? If not they have no business trading for him.

https://fadeawayworld.net/nba-trade-rumors/new-orleans-pelicans/brandon-ingram-rejected-50-million-40-million-extension-pelicans

Seems fair enough. If Ball isn't in the plans, he could be included in place of PWill or White/Carter. Pels would get a few more easily tradeable pieces and depth. Portland protected pick is the perfect "fake" first to balance value.

With Lavine as Klutch client, they have an inside track to BI's contract expectations. Think at this point, we can assume that any team trading for him will have a strong *mutual understanding of his next contract and be willing to pay it. And I think it will be at or below the 40m/yr mark, after some facing of new cba realities.

winforlose wrote:Are the Bulls gonna pay BI 40+ million next year? If not they have no business trading for him.

https://fadeawayworld.net/nba-trade-rumors/new-orleans-pelicans/brandon-ingram-rejected-50-million-40-million-extension-pelicans

I doubt It, esp since they're trying to trade Lavine.

SlimShady83 wrote:

winforlose wrote:Are the Bulls gonna pay BI 40+ million next year? If not they have no business trading for him.

https://fadeawayworld.net/nba-trade-rumors/new-orleans-pelicans/brandon-ingram-rejected-50-million-40-million-extension-pelicans

I doubt It, esp since they're trying to trade Lavine.

Honestly, most Bulls' fans are done with PWill. We didn't like the contract this summer, but he's been a decent player (solid to positive on D, hits open 3's). This year he's been really bad, for the most part. He must lead the league in "terribly missed dunks". I do believe he'll bounce back some, but he'll never be the stud many of us hoped he'd be. If he goes back to hitting open 3's and playing good D, he's a nice piece for NO.

As for Coby, I don't think we can keep him and Giddy long term. I like both of them, but neither will ever be good defenders. I'd actually be fine with both of them leaving.

I figure, we see how it goes with BI (that's why it's no deal if he's out for months), and if we surprise-resign him. If not, we let him walk, hand over our #12 pick to SA and start fresh next year. Hopefully we could trade Lavine in the summer (he's playing great this season) and build around Ayo, Matas, JSmith and maybe Giddy. Vuc would also have positive value this summer, with how well he's playing and being expiring next year.

Finally, Ball seems like the natural fit, but we LOVE the way he's come back. It'd be great to resign him to a fair deal-he's a perfect 20 min bench piece and is BY FAR our smartest player

It's not the best plan, but since our FO seems to think we're close to being a good team, BI might be worth a look

Fans don't make trades and unless you think Karnasoas is frightened every day he wakes up, he's not going to see his summer move to resign Williams as a huge mistake he has to correct right now he's not trading 2 starters for 45 games with Ingram and a maybe that he resigns

winforlose wrote:Are the Bulls gonna pay BI 40+ million next year? If not they have no business trading for him.

https://fadeawayworld.net/nba-trade-rumors/new-orleans-pelicans/brandon-ingram-rejected-50-million-40-million-extension-pelicans

If they want to try for the play-in and see what impact he has on the roster, that's two reasons. There's no guarantee that money is out there for Ingram regardless of what roster he's on. He may have to sign for less.

winforlose wrote:Are the Bulls gonna pay BI 40+ million next year? If not they have no business trading for him.

https://fadeawayworld.net/nba-trade-rumors/new-orleans-pelicans/brandon-ingram-rejected-50-million-40-million-extension-pelicans

If they sub Vuc (owed 20 million next year) in the proposal they could move off Lonzo's expiring contract and make it work because they're unloading Patrick Williams 5-year deal.

Vuc + P. Williams + Blazers 1st works. However, it leaves the Pelicans over the tax when one of their perceived goals is to duck below the tax in an Ingram trade.

This one leaves them 5.6 over, so they need a third party here bidding on Vuc or P. Williams and offering cap space. Bulls have been shopping Vuc for a while now and reportedly have settled on 2nd rounders. I'm sure the contenders wanting him most can't offer cap space.

And I agree with the premise that Bulls can't tank because the pick owed the Spurs becomes even more exposed.

Chicago's 1st round pick to San Antonio protected for selections 1-10 in 2025, 1-8 in 2026 and 1-8 in 2027

They should compete while the East is weak and push for postseason play. Even if all they do is un unload a longterm deal to P. Williams with a fake 1st for cap and extinguish their pick obligation to San Antonio. So Ingram doesn't necessarily have to re-sign.

This is a rental price that at worst clears cap.