Potential Zach Trade Partners? 24/25 Edition

[drosestruts]

Feels like a trade for trades sake.

On the injury front - Zach has had surgery on his ACL and to remove loose bone fragments in his foot. I feel this is wildly different from MPJ having surgery on his back 3x. Their injury history is not the same.

MPJ is bigger and grabs boards which is needed.

I have Zach as the better offensive better overall. MPJ has a much quicker trigger on catch and shoots - we see Zach often wanting to create the step-back for himself or something. Defensively overall probably the same.

I don't see how Denver could take in Zach and Craig (whom I'd think they'd want) without Chicago taking back Nnaji which is a contract I don't love (could be a late bloomer at 23 if you want a bright side.)

Best deal for Chicago, that I can envision, that I'm not sure I would even do is:

Denver in: Zach, Craig, and Jevon Carter

Chicago in: MPJ, Nnaji, Holmes, Strawther

*Bulls cut THT in this scenario

Again - I think this is a trade for trades sake.

[sco]

So if you guys had to rank your interest in getting one of the following in a deal for Zach, all else being equal, how would you rank:

MPJ
BI
Zion
Ayton


I think I'd go:
Zion
BI
MPJ
Ayton

[Chi town]

I didn't realize how much Porter makes. He's clearly not an upgrade to Zach, so I think we need to structure to get Strawher or a 1st back in the deal (likely from a 3rd team).

What's clear is that any Zach deal is likely to bring back a differently flawed player and maybe non-lotto or distant 1sts.

Are we in a better place with Zach or BI, Zion, or Porter? Maybe change for change sake helps somehow.

Ideal trade is Bulls get Starwher or a future 1st without taking back Nnaji. They include Craig in the deal.

Send MPJ to a 3rd team for two smaller contracts and a young player or a 1st.

Bulls should come out with two smaller contracts expiring no later than Zach’s and 2 assets. Either 1sts or young players.

Then you have some flexibility moving fwd with more trades due to the smaller more moveable contracts and future 1sts.

I get that but I worry that MPJ will be harder to move than Zach. He's younger, but there are about the same injury concerns. Also, he's a 3rd option scorer, so you could make the argument that he's even more overpaid as a 3rd option than Zach is as a 2nd option.

Al these rookie extension guys are getting 30M+. MPJ is right there. He’s proven. 26 years old. Can shoot it. Back is over sold. He has less stigma about him than Zach.

[Chi town]

So if you guys had to rank your interest in getting one of the following in a deal for Zach, all else being equal, how would you rank:

MPJ
BI
Zion
Ayton


I think I'd go:
Zion
BI
MPJ
Ayton

NONE! Flip em all. Zion is a train wreck. He has no value.

[jnrjr79]

So if you guys had to rank your interest in getting one of the following in a deal for Zach, all else being equal, how would you rank:

MPJ
BI
Zion
Ayton


I think I'd go:
Zion
BI
MPJ
Ayton

I am basically not interested in BI or Ayton from an on-court perspective. You could let Ingram walk, but I doubt you're getting draft compensation coming with him in a Zach trade, and I don't love the idea of trading him for purely expiring $$ (and you'd need a bunch more salary to come with him).

As to Zion vs. MPJ, it probably comes down to how you view their relative injury risks, but to my understanding, you can get out of the Zion contract because the remaining years are fully or largely non-guaranteed, so I might be a little more willing to take a flyer on him, just given his upside is a lot more than MPJ.

Ultimately, I don't really view any of these guys as a great option in exchange for Zach and would prefer something based on draft capital, but I'm somewhat open to what can happen with MPJ or Zion.

[boundbymusic]

If you're trading Zach because you're trying to get the 1st rd pick this year...does getting MPJ back hurt that? I can see a world where he fits the current roster construction better than Zach does.

[WindyCityBorn]

If you're trading Zach because you're trying to get the 1st rd pick this year...does getting MPJ back hurt that? I can see a world where he fits the current roster construction better than Zach does.

Not sure I agree. He benefits heavily from playing next to Jokic. I haven’t seen any proof of being a good as with that deal setup. I doubt he would be as efficient as Zach.

[Red8911]

If you're trading Zach because you're trying to get the 1st rd pick this year...does getting MPJ back hurt that? I can see a world where he fits the current roster construction better than Zach does.

Not sure I agree. He benefits heavily from playing next to Jokic. I haven’t seen any proof of being a good as with that deal setup. I doubt he would be as efficient as Zach.

MPJ is big so for starters that is one advantage since the Bulls are a shorter team. Also he might help a bit more defensively because of his size.

Scoring wise Zach has the edge as he can create his own shot and go on hot streaks but I think MPJ can produce similar numbers. Bulls like moving the ball on offense and he can benefit from catch and shooting especially with Giddey and lonzo around to get him the ball.

Overall idk if it’s an upgrade or a downgrade. I would say it’s a wash. Their both even injury prone players.

[burlydee]

If I'm the Bulls, I'm pushing for a Lavine-Craig swap for MPJ, Strawther, Watson and Saric. I need some additional young players for this to make sense to me. I'm guessing Denver is pushing MPJ, and Nnaji. I think that would be a lateral move at best, b/c I don't think Nnaji has any upside.

The one thing I'll say about Lavine-MPJ trade is that I don't think this necessarily means we fall back. The Bulls are guard heavy and need more contributions from the forward spot. Its not inconceivable that a Giddey-Ayo-Coby-MPJ-Vuc pairing works better because it allows more players to lean in too their strengths. And I'm guessing MPJ is dying for the opportunity to be a number one scorer for someone

I'm hesitant to make a trade just to make a trade but I don't know if a deal for Zach gets much better. Perhaps this report inspires Detroit, Houston or other teams to throw their hat in the ring for Zach.

[Hangtime84]

MPJ really wanted to be here. REALLY wanted

He got a ring and wants more of a role based on podcasts I’ve seen. I don’t think he has it.

Craig and LaVine there will for sure fill a hole.

If we did some 3 way with the pelicans and they get MPJ and we got Zion and Denver gets Theis, Carter, LaVine that would very appealing to Denver as they need depth at center position and bench depth.

Maybe Denver gives one there younger players to NO like Strawther.

Then NO can prepare for their MPJ/Jones/Murphy/Missi future

[boundbymusic]

If you're trading Zach because you're trying to get the 1st rd pick this year...does getting MPJ back hurt that? I can see a world where he fits the current roster construction better than Zach does.

Not sure I agree. He benefits heavily from playing next to Jokic. I haven’t seen any proof of being a good as with that deal setup. I doubt he would be as efficient as Zach.

MPJ is big so for starters that is one advantage since the Bulls are a shorter team. Also he might help a bit more defensively because of his size.

Scoring wise Zach has the edge as he can create his own shot and go on hot streaks but I think MPJ can produce similar numbers. Bulls like moving the ball on offense and he can benefit from catch and shooting especially with Giddey and lonzo around to get him the ball.

Overall idk if it’s an upgrade or a downgrade. I would say it’s a wash. Their both even injury prone players.

I think the big thing is it tightens up the guard rotation (assuming Ball can increase his minutes) which improves the otb defense (more Ayo, Ball, Carter). On the other hand, MPJ is a much worse defender than PW and Buz. It is probably a wash, ultimately, but that may not be enough to kill the possibility of the play-in game.

[Jcool0]

:noway: MPJ really wanted to be here. REALLY wanted

He got a ring and wants more of a role based on podcasts I’ve seen. I don’t think he has it.

Craig and LaVine there will for sure fill a hole.

If we did some 3 way with the pelicans and they get MPJ and we got Zion and Denver gets Theis, Carter, LaVine that would very appealing to Denver as they need depth at center position and bench depth.

Maybe Denver gives one there younger players to NO like Strawther.

Then NO can prepare for their MPJ/Jones/Murphy/Missi future

If we traded LaVine and ended up with Zion.... Well that is never happening... But in that alternate universe... I would be jumping for joy (even with the injury concerns).

[Muzbar]

I'm doubtful a trade with Denver even happens, but.

I personally have always liked MPJ so would welcome him with open arms, I don't think he'll have the same impact as Zach as he can't create his own shot. Nugget fans on reddit *shudder* are mixed on a potential swap, some labelled Zach as a 'chucker' which is completely not true.

Denver and the Lakers are the 2 most likely destinations for Zach, IMO.

[jordanwilliams6]

I'm doubtful a trade with Denver even happens, but.

I personally have always liked MPJ so would welcome him with open arms, I don't think he'll have the same impact as Zach as he can't create his own shot. Nugget fans on reddit *shudder* are mixed on a potential swap, some labelled Zach as a 'chucker' which is completely not true.

Denver and the Lakers are the 2 most likely destinations for Zach, IMO.

I think Orlando can be a dark horse. They have the defenders and ball handlers to cover his weaknesses and need volume shooting. We can take back some longer term salary too.

KCP + Anthony + Howard + 1st? Could that work?

[Muzbar]

I'm doubtful a trade with Denver even happens, but.

I personally have always liked MPJ so would welcome him with open arms, I don't think he'll have the same impact as Zach as he can't create his own shot. Nugget fans on reddit *shudder* are mixed on a potential swap, some labelled Zach as a 'chucker' which is completely not true.

Denver and the Lakers are the 2 most likely destinations for Zach, IMO.

I think Orlando can be a dark horse. They have the defenders and ball handlers to cover his weaknesses and need volume shooting. We can take back some longer term salary too.

KCP + Anthony + Howard + 1st? Could that work?

For Zach? 95% of Magic fans are against any trade for Zach, too much money, no defense yadda yadda.

I like the trade, but I don't think the Magic would do that trade, I don't think you're getting a young player plus a pick back for Zach.

[Jcool0]

I'm doubtful a trade with Denver even happens, but.

I personally have always liked MPJ so would welcome him with open arms, I don't think he'll have the same impact as Zach as he can't create his own shot. Nugget fans on reddit *shudder* are mixed on a potential swap, some labelled Zach as a 'chucker' which is completely not true.

Denver and the Lakers are the 2 most likely destinations for Zach, IMO.

I think Orlando can be a dark horse. They have the defenders and ball handlers to cover his weaknesses and need volume shooting. We can take back some longer term salary too.

KCP + Anthony + Howard + 1st? Could that work?

For Zach? 95% of Magic fans are against any trade for Zach, too much money, no defense yadda yadda.

I like the trade, but I don't think the Magic would do that trade, I don't think you're getting a young player plus a pick back for Zach.

1. No one cares what fans want

2. No FA that will help win a title is signing with Orlando

3. Jalen Suggs isn't a #3 on a title team.

4. Of the 8 players playing 20+ MPG for the Magic only one is over 25.

[Chi town]

MPJ and Coby both fit well with the Magic.

Don’t think they will trade for Zach with Suggs at 30M and Banchero and Franz both at 40M+.

[Muzbar]

MPJ and Coby both fit well with the Magic.

Don’t think they will trade for Zach with Suggs at 30M and Banchero and Franz both at 40M+.

I don't think MPJ fits in Orlando at all. Where does he play? Both forward spots are occupied by long term pieces.

[Muzbar]

I think Orlando can be a dark horse. They have the defenders and ball handlers to cover his weaknesses and need volume shooting. We can take back some longer term salary too.

KCP + Anthony + Howard + 1st? Could that work?

For Zach? 95% of Magic fans are against any trade for Zach, too much money, no defense yadda yadda.

I like the trade, but I don't think the Magic would do that trade, I don't think you're getting a young player plus a pick back for Zach.

1. No one cares what fans want

2. No FA that will help win a title is signing with Orlando

3. Jalen Suggs isn't a #3 on a title team.

4. Of the 8 players playing 20+ MPG for the Magic only one is over 25.

1. Thanks for you valued input, except you're a fan so I don't care.

2. Why not? They have a young core that's winning games plus there's no tax there.

3. Not sure why Jalen Suggs was mentioned, but no one claimed he was a #3....

4. I'm not sure what your point here is meant to be, maybe provide a bit more context.

[WindyCityBorn]

If you're trading Zach because you're trying to get the 1st rd pick this year...does getting MPJ back hurt that? I can see a world where he fits the current roster construction better than Zach does.

Not sure I agree. He benefits heavily from playing next to Jokic. I haven’t seen any proof of being a good as with that deal setup. I doubt he would be as efficient as Zach.

MPJ is big so for starters that is one advantage since the Bulls are a shorter team. Also he might help a bit more defensively because of his size.

Scoring wise Zach has the edge as he can create his own shot and go on hot streaks but I think MPJ can produce similar numbers. Bulls like moving the ball on offense and he can benefit from catch and shooting especially with Giddey and lonzo around to get him the ball.

Overall idk if it’s an upgrade or a downgrade. I would say it’s a wash. Their both even injury prone players.

Zach is more efficient even as the 1 guy. I would not assume MPJ’s efficiency would stay the same if he became the focus for defenses. Also Denver wouldn’t want to move him if he was as good or better than Zach.