AKME stands pat

[Evil_Headband]

I haven't seen this mentioned but IMO, the lack of a market is again an indictment of AKME's ability to negotiate contracts. Many, many people here said that Vuc's $20m per year deal was too much and as frequently happens, realgm.com was smarter than AKME.

I don't understand. It seems that Vuc could have brought back a second rounder or two. AK was asking for a first? Do you see that differently?

[Jeffster81]

AKME are lucky one Nico Harrison exists to take the shine away from their failures.

They should be getting blasted by the national media.

The national media does not care about irrelevant franchises like the Bulls.

[Dan Z]

AK has no vision.

The team still doesn't have ANY direction, the goal this deadline should have been to rid the team of vets (Vuc, Coby, Zach etc) but he only managed to offload Zach contract, I'm certain that was his only real goal this season.

So now he has a team with more vets (albeit, not good ones) and despite playing like absolute crap for a few weeks now, still sit in the final play-in spot and because of this he wants them to try and push for the playoffs.

These next couple of drafts are good drafts to do some tanking and pick up some great long term talent, but nope, gotta make that play-in.

I'm seriously done with this front office, I never felt this level of frustration with GarPax, this is another level of delusion.

I don't think there is anything they can do to restore my faith.

I love Buzelis, Ayo and Lonzo, so I'll continue to cheer for those guys but I'll be rooting for L's the rest of the year.

I'm thinking about the Zach trade. If Ak's plan is to make the playoffs then why not ask for the better 2025 pick out of the Hawks/Bulls (which extinguishes the obligation to the Spurs)...? That way it gives the team a better chance in the lottery

I say that because the Kings wanted a decent player plus picks for Fox and the Spurs wanted Fox. The Bulls were in that deal, in part, to help those teams out, which should've been used as leverage. If the Spurs bulk at it you can move on. Or if AK wanted to maybe he adds in the Portland pick (which might not convey) to try and make this happen...?

I say all this because I don't think AK has much in terms of forward thinking.

[boundbymusic]

I honestly cannot believe he said that you can win a title without a star. Does he think he’s in a baseball FO? What an absolute joke.

[Wingy]

You mean except for trading the most important, best, and most highly paid player on the team?

Basically for free too. Someone here made a good point that S.A. compensated us with our pick back for taking on their junk. Sacramento got Lavine from us for free

And? The most important player, by a mile, for the Bulls to move this year was Lavine and then they did it at the trade deadline. And you start a thread staying the team stood pat. Doesn't compute, but whatever.

Heh…I’m gonna give myself a short little trade deadline grace from my self-imposed Bulls posting ban here…

If you take it literally, yeah, the thread doesn’t make sense. The bigger problem is, and why I’m not going to argue the existence of this thread - AK is doing the exact same half-measures trash as always.

So you traded Zach, but if that’s all you’re doing, that doesn’t move the needle for us in any real or significant way. We aren’t doing dick* with cap space anytime soon. (*except maybe wasting future firsts on ill-conceived sign and trades)

So you couldn’t move Vuc. Then why not anyone else? Coby can and probably will step up more often now with more touches and forced to be that guy on a regular basis with Zach out. He can, and probably will, get back in rhythm on an heater and help get this team wins. I personally love guys like Coby, Ayo…but they’re just good enough to make your tank suboptimal, AND if we’re being honest, they aren’t all that tough to replace relative to many other archetypes. Guys like them should’ve been shipped even if we lost the trades.

Absolutely, still, zero and I mean zero awareness of the bigger picture from AK. A shot at Wemby was more important than anything the squad could’ve done that season. The same with Flagg this season, yet here we are keeping everyone but Zach. Actually talking about the ****ing playin.

So while we didn’t literally stand pat, we did. AK followed his m.o. to an absolute tee.

[drosestruts]

We've still done nothing in terms of picking a damn lane

We're one of the youngest teams in the league. The direction is pretty clear.

Do you think it's a good direction? How many of the teams young players project to have all-star level ability (or close)?

Right now the team is stuck in mediocrity and I don't see them getting out any time soon.

I don't like the direction - but not in the way you mean. I probably would have kept Zach, packaged young guys (Coby, Williams, and Carter) for undervalued vets and picks - like trading for like Julius Randle, 2025 Detroit pick, and Terrence Shannon Jr or something.

You guys would hate me as the GM. I'm gonna eat undervalued, expensive, playable vets and picks all day everyday. You're attached a 1st along with Marcus Smart? Sign me up!

To answer your other questions:

Players I could see making an all-star game at some point in their career: Coby White, Josh Giddey, Ayo Dosunmu, Matas Buzelis, Jalen Smith.

Coby white - a year removed from coming in 2nd in MIP voting. Progress isn't linear. Coby has been worse this year. Could be better in the future.

Josh Giddey - fills up the stat sheet. Shooting and defense have improved throughout the year this season and year to year throughout his career.

Ayo - I'm still an Ayo believer. Great finisher around the rim (one of the best guards in the league scoring at the rim) with an emerging 3-point shot and offensive game.

Matas - I think we all see the potential here.

Jalen Smith - averages something like 20 and 13 per 36 minutes. Let's take the leash off and see what he's got. Still only 24, has bounced around in his early career always seeming to be behind somebody in the pecking order - Ayton, Turner, now Vuc. Situation and opportunity are the sometimes the biggest obstacles to success. It'd be a shame if we don't give him a proper opportunity.


And for you non Dan Z poster. Don't come talking to me about how our young guys have no all-star potential and then telling me you like the potential of Washingtons young guys. Get real.

You like Alex Sarr's putrid 39% FG%

Oh look, Bub Carrington also shoots 39% from the field.

You see great potential in these guys but can't see potential in our players than you're just a hater.

[drosestruts]

I haven't seen this mentioned but IMO, the lack of a market is again an indictment of AKME's ability to negotiate contracts. Many, many people here said that Vuc's $20m per year deal was too much and as frequently happens, realgm.com was smarter than AKME.

I don't understand. It seems that Vuc could have brought back a second rounder or two. AK was asking for a first? Do you see that differently?

What deal that occurred today makes you feel like Vuc could have been traded for a second rounder or two?

[Bulliever2020]

Read on Twitter

[drosestruts]

You guys put too much stock into generic GM speak given by AK.

No GM is going in front of the media saying they don't believe in their team.

[burlydee]

Arturas is that you? LOLz

We are still mediocre team in NBA hell.. way too bad for being true playoff contender, just good enough to fight for play in on pathetic weak ass East?! Same **** as last 3 years! What direction changed?? Difference is just age, team quality still sucks, AKME still sucks

I hear this a lot. Do ppl think Washington and Brooklyn are in better spots?

Yes. Washington is going to land a top 5 pick. They've given themselves the best possible odds at getting Cooper Flagg. Even if they don't get the number 1 overall pick, Harper, Bailey, Edgecombe, and even Jakucionis would all be great additions. They've amassed a lot of assets and draft capital.

The Wizards have 4 players picked in the 2024 draft's first round on their roster right now. They have 2 FRPs in 2025 and 2026.

The Nets have 4 FRPs in the 2025 draft. 3 more FRPs coming from the Knicks and 1 from the Sixers. They still haven't traded Cam Johnson or Claxton and both could bring more picks or young players. They'll have the most cap space in the summer which they could use to get talent or more assets.

Wiz have a 52% chance of landing top 4 pick. Bulls have 26%. Given there is almost no talent on that roster and the fact pick 8 has a decent chance to be better than 4, I think we're in the better position.

Bulls have a mix of young rotation players. Matas only guy with star potential. Bulls wasted too much time chasing mediocre vets. But they have tradeable pieces. Just have to look for advantageous deals.

[Dan Z]

We're one of the youngest teams in the league. The direction is pretty clear.

Do you think it's a good direction? How many of the teams young players project to have all-star level ability (or close)?

Right now the team is stuck in mediocrity and I don't see them getting out any time soon.

I don't like the direction - but not in the way you mean. I probably would have kept Zach, packaged young guys (Coby, Williams, and Carter) for undervalued vets and picks - like trading for like Julius Randle, 2025 Detroit pick, and Terrence Shannon Jr or something.

You guys would hate me as the GM. I'm gonna eat undervalued, expensive, playable vets and picks all day everyday. You're attached a 1st along with Marcus Smart? Sign me up!

To answer your other questions:

Players I could see making an all-star game at some point in their career: Coby White, Josh Giddey, Ayo Dosunmu, Matas Buzelis, Jalen Smith.

Coby white - a year removed from coming in 2nd in MIP voting. Progress isn't linear. Coby has been worse this year. Could be better in the future.

Josh Giddey - fills up the stat sheet. Shooting and defense have improved throughout the year this season and year to year throughout his career.

Ayo - I'm still an Ayo believer. Great finisher around the rim (one of the best guards in the league scoring at the rim) with an emerging 3-point shot and offensive game.

Matas - I think we all see the potential here.

Jalen Smith - averages something like 20 and 13 per 36 minutes. Let's take the leash off and see what he's got. Still only 24, has bounced around in his early career always seeming to be behind somebody in the pecking order - Ayton, Turner, now Vuc. Situation and opportunity are the sometimes the biggest obstacles to success. It'd be a shame if we don't give him a proper opportunity.


And for you non Dan Z poster. Don't come talking to me about how our young guys have no all-star potential and then telling me you like the potential of Washingtons young guys. Get real.

You like Alex Sarr's putrid 39% FG%

Oh look, Bub Carrington also shoots 39% from the field.

You see great potential in these guys but can't see potential in our players than you're just a hater.

If you were GM you'd at least have a direction that makes some sense. Staying in the 35-40 win lane (which AK is doing) isn't working.

I like all the Bulls players you mention, but don't see all-star potential with them, except for Matas (in part because he's new).

As for Washington, I think Bud Carrington is the youngest player in the league...? If not the youngest he's close to it. Alex Sarr has his moments, but I agree that it's not a roster filled with a ton of potential. However, they'll get a top pick in the 2025 draft to go with that. Flagg/Harper/Bailey/KJ plus those players and some extra future picks means they have stuff to work with. This is also the 2nd year of their rebuild (they traded Beal last year) so it's just the beginning.

[Mk0]

Stealing this one from r/ChicagoBulls

The Bulls have traded DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, & Alex Caruso for ...

Josh Giddey

Kevin Huerter

Zach Collins

Tre Jones

Chris Duarte

Two Second-Round Picks

Rights to their OWN 2025 first-round pick

And yet my biggest concern is that they STILL manage to keep Vooch and we probably limp into the play in games and get the 11th pick or some sh#%.

We are holding onto Vooch, the team stinks just enough that his value is gonna get worse and then they will try to ship him off in the offseason for peanuts. Why can't we just fully commit to the tank?

[Dan Z]

"There's more to come," Karnisovas said at a news conference after Thursday's trade deadline. "We're committing to building a sustainable, competitive team. We're not OK with being in the middle. Curating a team that competes at the high level and can compete for a championship has been our goal."

And...

"We might get a high draft pick or we might be in the play-in, we might be in the playoffs," he said. "I think I was saying that if this young nucleus can get you to play in the playoffs, I think it's going to be growth in terms of your young players and development. That's worth it for me."

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/43724975/arturas-karnisovas-says-bulls-transition-more-come

[Evil_Headband]

I haven't seen this mentioned but IMO, the lack of a market is again an indictment of AKME's ability to negotiate contracts. Many, many people here said that Vuc's $20m per year deal was too much and as frequently happens, realgm.com was smarter than AKME.

I don't understand. It seems that Vuc could have brought back a second rounder or two. AK was asking for a first? Do you see that differently?

What deal that occurred today makes you feel like Vuc could have been traded for a second rounder or two?

I don't know. What do you think they were negotiating? From reports, it had to be something.

[Dan Z]

I don't understand. It seems that Vuc could have brought back a second rounder or two. AK was asking for a first? Do you see that differently?

What deal that occurred today makes you feel like Vuc could have been traded for a second rounder or two?

I don't know. What do you think they were negotiating? From reports, it had to be something.

Mk0 pointed out that maybe the Bulls could've traded Vucevic in a deal for Nurkic (who went to Charlotte for Micic and Martin...Suns gave up a first round pick too).

[Red8911]

AK manages to disappoint both pro and anti tankers. He doesn’t make moves to get better or worse.

Today at the press conference the press were attacking him and questioning his decisions but honestly he deserves it.


It is what it is at this point. This is the roster and they will play hard to win. Will they actually win who knows but I do agree with what he said that if they do make the playoffs that would be a good thing for player development.

[jnrjr79]

Jesus Christ, a thread titled “stands pat” at a deadline where the Bulls traded their #1 away, in the same year they traded away their #2 and #3.

I wanted Vooch and Coby gone at this deadline as well, and am annoyed it didn’t happen, but what a preposterous premise.

[Dominator83]

We're one of the youngest teams in the league. The direction is pretty clear.

Do you think it's a good direction? How many of the teams young players project to have all-star level ability (or close)?

Right now the team is stuck in mediocrity and I don't see them getting out any time soon.

I don't like the direction - but not in the way you mean. I probably would have kept Zach, packaged young guys (Coby, Williams, and Carter) for undervalued vets and picks - like trading for like Julius Randle, 2025 Detroit pick, and Terrence Shannon Jr or something.

You guys would hate me as the GM. I'm gonna eat undervalued, expensive, playable vets and picks all day everyday. You're attached a 1st along with Marcus Smart? Sign me up!

To answer your other questions:

Players I could see making an all-star game at some point in their career: Coby White, Josh Giddey, Ayo Dosunmu, Matas Buzelis, Jalen Smith.

Coby white - a year removed from coming in 2nd in MIP voting. Progress isn't linear. Coby has been worse this year. Could be better in the future.

Josh Giddey - fills up the stat sheet. Shooting and defense have improved throughout the year this season and year to year throughout his career.

Ayo - I'm still an Ayo believer. Great finisher around the rim (one of the best guards in the league scoring at the rim) with an emerging 3-point shot and offensive game.

Matas - I think we all see the potential here.

Jalen Smith - averages something like 20 and 13 per 36 minutes. Let's take the leash off and see what he's got. Still only 24, has bounced around in his early career always seeming to be behind somebody in the pecking order - Ayton, Turner, now Vuc. Situation and opportunity are the sometimes the biggest obstacles to success. It'd be a shame if we don't give him a proper opportunity.


And for you non Dan Z poster. Don't come talking to me about how our young guys have no all-star potential and then telling me you like the potential of Washingtons young guys. Get real.

You like Alex Sarr's putrid 39% FG%

Oh look, Bub Carrington also shoots 39% from the field.

You see great potential in these guys but can't see potential in our players than you're just a hater.

Alot of reaching. Matas i agree. Stud potential. Coby looked great for about a month last year. Hasn't looked like that stud since. Giddey has alot of limitations, and Billy isn't even good at playing him to his strengths. I like Jalen smith alot, but can't make an all-star team playing 14 minutes a game because we stubbornly only wanna use him to back up our journeyman Center.

Giddey , Ayo or Coby, Matas and Smith should be starting and going 35 minutes every game. Let's see what these guys are made of.

[Evil_Headband]

What deal that occurred today makes you feel like Vuc could have been traded for a second rounder or two?

I don't know. What do you think they were negotiating? From reports, it had to be something.

Mk0 pointed out that maybe the Bulls could've traded Vucevic in a deal for Nurkic (who went to Charlotte for Micic and Martin...Suns gave up a first round pick too).

I was referring to the Warriors.

[Dan Z]

I don't know. What do you think they were negotiating? From reports, it had to be something.

Mk0 pointed out that maybe the Bulls could've traded Vucevic in a deal for Nurkic (who went to Charlotte for Micic and Martin...Suns gave up a first round pick too).

I was referring to the Warriors.

Oh..okay. I was just pointing out that most likely there were deals to be had with Vucevic if AK really wanted to do one.