Fake Trade Thread #6

[JMAC3]

This is step 1 in my Lonzo buyout theory from other day.

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[JustBuzzin]

Yay another injured body we can waste money on. At least he helps the tank.

[JustBuzzin]

I think they are stealth tanking. Basically not going out of their way to add serious talent and being ultra conservative with injuries. They all but said this over the summer too, some of us just didn't want to accept it because 3 years of losing really blows. I personally think the odds of us landing a top 3 pick that will need 2-3 seasons minimum to develop into a reliable star anyway are worth less than getting our young core some high stakes games experience. But if they wanted to do that, then they would've had a better depth chart beyond the starters and they wouldn't have simply banked on Mark Williams being both healthy and a net positive contributor. I think the thing to remember though is this is the new owners first year, so they don't feel it the same way us fans who have been following the team for decades feel it. Do I want sustained success? 100% Do we need another top 3 pick to accomplish that? I mean it's one way of getting there but if we land Flagg/Bailey/Harper we'll still be bad next season without a better roster around the young guys. 1-4 year players don't win in the NBA. They just don't. If they do, it's extremely rare.

I would 100% be thinking about adding a good player with some of our draft capital at this point. We don't need Cody Martin AND Josh Green on the roster for example. Saloon should be learning in the G League not NBA games at 19 years old. We don't need all of these combo guards on the roster either. Nick Richards is not going to lead to wins. We need some impactful veterans with high basketball IQ to compliment LaMelo and Miller whether it's this season or next.

If we aren't winning with Melo/Miller in his 3rd year/Mark and possibly Flagg added to that core then something is wrong with our core.

Melo is entering that top15 player category. He alone should be enough to get us to a play in situation. Our foundation is there we just need one more legit piece. If we somehow land a top 3 pick there is no reason why we shouldn't be making a playoff push next season.

[Diop]

I think they are stealth tanking.

Spoiler:

Basically not going out of their way to add serious talent and being ultra conservative with injuries. They all but said this over the summer too, some of us just didn't want to accept it because 3 years of losing really blows. I personally think the odds of us landing a top 3 pick that will need 2-3 seasons minimum to develop into a reliable star anyway are worth less than getting our young core some high stakes games experience. But if they wanted to do that, then they would've had a better depth chart beyond the starters and they wouldn't have simply banked on Mark Williams being both healthy and a net positive contributor. I think the thing to remember though is this is the new owners first year, so they don't feel it the same way us fans who have been following the team for decades feel it. Do I want sustained success? 100% Do we need another top 3 pick to accomplish that? I mean it's one way of getting there but if we land Flagg/Bailey/Harper we'll still be bad next season without a better roster around the young guys. 1-4 year players don't win in the NBA. They just don't. If they do, it's extremely rare.

I would 100% be thinking about adding a good player with some of our draft capital at this point. We don't need Cody Martin AND Josh Green on the roster for example. Saloon should be learning in the G League not NBA games at 19 years old. We don't need all of these combo guards on the roster either. Nick Richards is not going to lead to wins. We need some impactful veterans with high basketball IQ to compliment LaMelo and Miller whether it's this season or next.

i think they are more being deliberate and specific with building something. If the right player for their design was available I'm sure they would go for them, but they aren't just grabbing whatever is available to bog over holes.

saying that, they should trade for Johnny Furphy.

Let Nick Richards rebuild his value and trade him for the Great White Aussie Hope

[Rich4114]

I think they are stealth tanking. Basically not going out of their way to add serious talent and being ultra conservative with injuries. They all but said this over the summer too, some of us just didn't want to accept it because 3 years of losing really blows. I personally think the odds of us landing a top 3 pick that will need 2-3 seasons minimum to develop into a reliable star anyway are worth less than getting our young core some high stakes games experience. But if they wanted to do that, then they would've had a better depth chart beyond the starters and they wouldn't have simply banked on Mark Williams being both healthy and a net positive contributor. I think the thing to remember though is this is the new owners first year, so they don't feel it the same way us fans who have been following the team for decades feel it. Do I want sustained success? 100% Do we need another top 3 pick to accomplish that? I mean it's one way of getting there but if we land Flagg/Bailey/Harper we'll still be bad next season without a better roster around the young guys. 1-4 year players don't win in the NBA. They just don't. If they do, it's extremely rare.

I would 100% be thinking about adding a good player with some of our draft capital at this point. We don't need Cody Martin AND Josh Green on the roster for example. Saloon should be learning in the G League not NBA games at 19 years old. We don't need all of these combo guards on the roster either. Nick Richards is not going to lead to wins. We need some impactful veterans with high basketball IQ to compliment LaMelo and Miller whether it's this season or next.

If we aren't winning with Melo/Miller in his 3rd year/Mark and possibly Flagg added to that core then something is wrong with our core.

Melo is entering that top15 player category. He alone should be enough to get us to a play in situation. Our foundation is there we just need one more legit piece. If we somehow land a top 3 pick there is no reason why we shouldn't be making a playoff push next season.

Really easy to say that while ignoring the makeup of this roster and the injuries we've had over the last 3 seasons. Do you think if we swapped LaMelo out for SGA or Ja that the record would be better? We regularly see these teams lose their best player or second best player but not skip a beat. Boston is 8-1 in games Tatum hasn't played and he's in the MVP conversation. How have the Magic been without their best player? You need stars to win games, but you also need a competent NBA roster to help those stars win games. Especially if your stars are perimeter players. How many games have LaMelo/Miller/Miles/Mark played together? I think it's like between 1-8 or something and that all would've come while Mark's back was already hurt and before Miller had even 1/3rd of an NBA season under his belt. Context matters.

[Bassman]

I must say Lonzo’s return (even with limited minutes regulation) is looking very strong. His radical surgery appears to have been very successful (meniscus replacement). Risky for sure but the Bulls may not take chump change in return at this point. His pairing here with Melo could be ideal IF they can stay healthy. Lonzo’s defense is top notch. Very good passer and good shooter.

[JMAC3]

I must say Lonzo’s return (even with limited minutes regulation) is looking very strong. His radical surgery appears to have been very successful (meniscus replacement). Risky for sure but the Bulls may not take chump change in return at this point. His pairing here with Melo could be ideal IF they can stay healthy. Lonzo’s defense is top notch. Very good passer and good shooter.

I think the demand for Lonzo is way lower than you might think, only because whichever team is trading for him is basically getting a 4 month rental for a guy that might not even play 20+ games. Majority of the teams don't have a good contract to match his 21 million and if they do it is likely not a completely useless player.

Sure the Lakers could trade DLo for him, but if Lonzo can only play 15 mins or gets hurt the Lakers basically gave away DLo for nothing. When in reality he is their best salary chip in a trade. I can't see them putting that much risk into him.

Ideally I think the Bulls would want all expiring contracts and 2 2nds.
Yes, Hornets could do that with Vasa, Martin and 2nds but even us who really don't care about winning are risking givin up 2 healthy bodies plus picks for a guy that might not play.

The main team I think that could be interested in him would be the Warriors. Something like Melton+Payton and 2 2nds for Lonzo because they already know Melton is cooked this year and Lonzo is basically Payton but can shoot. Bulls take on no longterm money plus picks so better than a buyout.

[JustBuzzin]

If Miami decides to rebuild what would you trade for Bam?

He's from NC btw.

[bravor]

At this point, not sure i would invest in a small ball center as it seems to be an endangered specie at this point.

There are options (like Collins or Tillman and couple others like Clarke) who would be cheaper to do the job (good passers, good defenders, not clumpsy at the rim and with decent jumper).

Bunch of playable tall bodies are coming out and next draft(s) won't change the trend.

I am more worried by not having a true sg in a Butler mode (real two way sg, really crafty offensively to get to the line regulary).

[Diop]

Also Bam would cost one of Ball or Miller.
Riley ain’t giving him away

[JMAC3]

Also Bam would cost one of Ball or Miller.
Riley ain’t giving him away

This isn't how NBA trades work.

[HornetJail]

Also Bam would cost one of Ball or Miller.
Riley ain’t giving him away

This isn't how NBA trades work.

sorry but Josh Green and Grant Williams with one unexploded knee isn't getting it done, hate to burst your bubble.

Miami isn't trading us Bam for anything we would offer them

[JDR720]

Melo and MIller + about 8 1sts for Jokic.

And I'm only 1/3rd joking.

[Liver_Pooty]

Melo and MIller + about 8 1sts for Jokic.

And I'm only 1/3rd joking.

And the nuggets still lost. They need to trade him and blow that up.

[Diop]

Melo and MIller + about 8 1sts for Jokic.

And I'm only 1/3rd joking.

And the nuggets still lost. They need to trade him and blow that up.

You can’t trade away prime Jokic.

[Liver_Pooty]

Melo and MIller + about 8 1sts for Jokic.

And I'm only 1/3rd joking.

And the nuggets still lost. They need to trade him and blow that up.

You can’t trade away prime Jokic.

I dont think that team is going anywhere. MPJ contract and Murray being a shell of himself is killing them. If Gobert got what haul he got and Mikal Bridges imagine what Jokic could get. I'd give it another season but after that trade him.

[JDR720]

Miles and Nick Jr. for MPJ and a 1st.

We get a better fit in our 3pt bombing offense, Denver saves money and gets slightly better depth.

[JDR720]

Both Nicks + Vasa for Nnaji + Saric and a 1st.

[JustBuzzin]

Miles and Nick Jr. for MPJ and a 1st.

We get a better fit in our 3pt bombing offense, Denver saves money and gets slightly better depth.

So no rim attackers and all 3pt shooting. Sounds like a recipe for losing basketball.

MPJ and Miller are basically the same players at the moment. We need a rim attacker to open up the offense.

[Liver_Pooty]

Lol at anyone even contemplating trading for injury ridden Brandon Ingram. Pelicans may give him 40 million a year. Whew. Laughable. Even as a Duke fan that dude plays hard 30 percent of the time. Waste of God Given ability.