Atlanta/Chicago - Jalen/Ayo

jayjaysee · Post #1 » by **jayjaysee** » Sun Jan 26, 2025 10:17 pm

I know I get yelled at every time I send these two to Dallas. So trying Atlanta this time?

Chicago: Jalen, Ayo, Duarte

Atlanta: Capela, Gueye, 2025 Sac first, 2027 LAC 2nd

Chicago gets expirings and a first currently 13th overall for their two good rotation pieces. Maybe Capela can be flipped on a third team for a second. Maybe they keep chasing the play-in with two vet centers.

Atlanta trades a first that will likely convey in the teens for two good fitting young two way players locked up cheap 1-2 more years. Feel like the kind of players Atlanta is targeting.

If you want to complicate it? you could call it the “better of LAL/Sac top 12 protected” in case Sac goes on a run and finishes above LA? or if they fall out of the play-in… And then even let Chicago choose between taking the LAL pick or keeping the Sac 2026 top 10 protected first…

psman2 · Post #2 » by **psman2** » Sun Jan 26, 2025 10:25 pm

I don't really see the need in Atlanta. Rather have the pick and keep Capela. Can go get a big as good as Jalen with the MLE next offseason or resign Capela to a much reduced salary. Ayo is ok but just not a huge need there with Bogs still in town and Vit showing he worth rotation minutes...and still hope for Kobe to develop more next season.

jayjaysee · Post #3 » by **jayjaysee** » Sun Jan 26, 2025 10:37 pm

psman2 wrote:I don't really see the need in Atlanta. Rather have the pick and keep Capela. Can go get a big as good as Jalen with the MLE next offseason or resign Capela to a much reduced salary. Ayo is ok but just not a huge need there with Bogs still in town and Vit showing he worth rotation minutes...and still hope for Kobe to develop more next season.

Every Ayo thread I end up feeling like Ayo is clearly better than the vet/prospect that gets brought up? Really think I must be off on him.

But will disagree about Jalen. It’s not easy to go find an MLE big as good as him. Especially one who makes closer to half the MLE. He is a really good fitting backup for OO and is very cheap for 2 more seasons.

ChettheJet · Post #4 » by **ChettheJet** » Mon Jan 27, 2025 3:23 pm

People want to send Jalen Smith to other teams but that involves the Bulls thinking they made a bad move to sign him as a FA and his play has been exactly what they expected. Smith nor Ayo are the problem for the Bulls they're the solution to not tanking and rebuilding on the fly.

What I don't see is ATL wanting 2 Bulls guards, both role players at best Dosunmu up for a new bigger contract.

Now the Bulls could still see fit to do this IF they trade Vucevic and get a backup center. Those picks make the difference, they can finish the year with Capela and happily take his cap space or even resign him for a LOT less.

Post #5 » by **HomoSapien** » Mon Jan 27, 2025 9:39 pm

It's not a bad trade, but I'm not sure about it. Ayo and Smith aren't stars, but they're both young players who do well whenever they play. If they were in the draft now, they'd both probably go in the 15-20 range anyway, so I guess that's how I'd look at it. I haven't done a crazy deep drive into the draft yet, but the question I'd be looking to answer is how likely it is for us to draft someone with star potential at 13. Again Ayo and Smith aren't stars, but they're both good enough to be long-term starters.

Post #6 » by **Texas Chuck** » Mon Jan 27, 2025 9:49 pm

HomoSapien wrote:It's not a bad trade, but I'm not sure about it. Ayo and Smith aren't stars, but they're both young players who do well whenever they play. If they were in the draft now, they'd both probably go in the 15-20 range anyway, so I guess that's how I'd look at it. I haven't done a crazy deep drive into the draft yet, but the question I'd be looking to answer is how likely it is for us to draft someone with star potential at 13. Again Ayo and Smith aren't stars, but they're both good enough to be long-term starters.

This seems right. And then its that question teams in this position have to ask themselves--are we going to continue to fight for the playin or are we going to finally rebuild? If its the former, you keep them. Good players on affordable contracts. If its the latter then its do we think we can get back out of the rebuild fast enough to take advantage of these cheap deal or are we better off realizing their value for future assets? Or will the market not give us what we believe them to be worth so we keep them as young veterans to help develop draft picks?

Hard questions for actual GM's to sort through.

jayjaysee · Post #7 » by **jayjaysee** » Mon Jan 27, 2025 9:53 pm

ChettheJet wrote:People want to send Jalen Smith to other teams but that involves the Bulls thinking they made a bad move to sign him as a FA and his play has been exactly what they expected. Smith nor Ayo are the problem for the Bulls they're the solution to not tanking and rebuilding on the fly.

What I don't see is ATL wanting 2 Bulls guards, both role players at best Dosunmu up for a new bigger contract.

Now the Bulls could still see fit to do this IF they trade Vucevic and get a backup center. Those picks make the difference, they can finish the year with Capela and happily take his cap space or even resign him for a LOT less.

Duarte is salary. I don’t expect him to be offered a QO. Or make as much as his QO.

He’s just in this to keep Chicago under the tax.

Ayo has another cheap year while Atlanta sees if Kobe can live up to expectations or not.. Jalen has two cheap years left.

Think the Hawks would be looking at 45-50 minutes per game out of the duo. Cheap quality minutes have value imo.

Chicago really should to tank one year though. Or get aggressive for win now talent? Either way.