NBA Trade Thread #11

[NecessaryEvil]

Read on Twitter

Shoulda went for this guy at the deadline like I said. Now his value is skyrocketing

[Infinity2152]

Read on Twitter

Shoulda went for this guy at the deadline like I said. Now his value is skyrocketing

His talent was never in question. He's played 24 games this year, 29 two years before, and 24 two years before that. He's only been healthy every other year. Well, reasonably healthy, he only played 61 and 70 the other two. Probably one of the worst three point shooting PF's in the league, for those who care about spacing. 23% this year, if teams leave Giddey open at the 3, who's guarding Zion there? He might make it to the end of season, but still wouldn't trust his health, like at all.

[sco]

Read on Twitter

Shoulda went for this guy at the deadline like I said. Now his value is skyrocketing

His talent was never in question. He's played 24 games this year, 29 two years before, and 24 two years before that. He's only been healthy every other year. Well, reasonably healthy, he only played 61 and 70 the other two. Probably one of the worst three point shooting PF's in the league, for those who care about spacing. 23% this year, if teams leave Giddey open at the 3, who's guarding Zion there? He might make it to the end of season, but still wouldn't trust his health, like at all.

The Zion risk may have been worth it if we kept Zach, but don't see it with this team.

[Muzbar]

Read on Twitter

Shoulda went for this guy at the deadline like I said. Now his value is skyrocketing

Nah, the Bulls have enough players that wear street clothes often, didn't/don't need another one.

[Infinity2152]

Bulls are set to have a tone of cap space in 2026, depending on their moves. Right now, only guaranteed contracts are Pat Will at $18 mill and Jalen Smith at 9.4. Team options on Ball, Matas, Phillips at 10 mill, 5.7 mill, 2.4 mill. Let's say $25-30, I'll use 25, and 5.2-8.4 for our rookie this year (picks 3-8). Say 6.5. Same for 2026 rookie, 6.5. $83.5 mill. Cap looks to be about $170 mill, and don't hit the luxury tax till $207 mill. Pat will look cheap as a percentage of cap then, or at least decent.

Roster of: Ball, Giddey, Matas, Pat, Smith, Phillips, 2025 Rookie, 2026 Rookie. Hopefully both rookies are very good, at least one. 7 players already, $86.5 mill under the cap and $123 mill under the luxury tax. At least 4 should be starting caliber by then. If we're picking up Ball's option, that means he's healthy and probably a good-great player.

If my numbers are wrong, please correct me. Looks to me like we should have a very talented squad of young guys locked up for years and space under the tax to add two max players if we want by next summer. If we get some lottery luck and end up with back to back top 5 picks, could be even crazier. We should be in the lottery both summers.

Edit: add in a cheap second round pick player, plus maybe another second in a Vuc trade. Takes us to 9 players for $85 mill or so.

[Dez]

Read on Twitter

Shoulda went for this guy at the deadline like I said. Now his value is skyrocketing

His talent was never in question. He's played 24 games this year, 29 two years before, and 24 two years before that. He's only been healthy every other year. Well, reasonably healthy, he only played 61 and 70 the other two. Probably one of the worst three point shooting PF's in the league, for those who care about spacing. 23% this year, if teams leave Giddey open at the 3, who's guarding Zion there? He might make it to the end of season, but still wouldn't trust his health, like at all.

You can't compare defending Giddey and Zion at the 3 point line. If a team sags off Zion, he's driving to the basket and killing someone in the process.

[Infinity2152]

Read on Twitter

Shoulda went for this guy at the deadline like I said. Now his value is skyrocketing

His talent was never in question. He's played 24 games this year, 29 two years before, and 24 two years before that. He's only been healthy every other year. Well, reasonably healthy, he only played 61 and 70 the other two. Probably one of the worst three point shooting PF's in the league, for those who care about spacing. 23% this year, if teams leave Giddey open at the 3, who's guarding Zion there? He might make it to the end of season, but still wouldn't trust his health, like at all.

You can't compare defending Giddey and Zion at the 3 point line. If a team sags off Zion, he's driving to the basket and killing someone in the process.

Not comparing. Common perception in here is Giddey's non shooting is a problem with spacing. Unless he goes in the trade for Zion, which is not likely, you're talking about putting two non-shooters on the floor at the same time. Lanes will be a lot more clogged for Zion. Don't think Giddey has much gravity at the three point line, though I think that will increase. Zion's hard to stop anyway, nobody's bodying him at the three point line to stop him driving. You're sagging till contact and help arrives. Not like you're worried he's going to pull up. He can drive from anywhere, three point line is the farthest distance to the basket. Way more time to double and get help.

My man averages less than .5 attempts per game. Who would ever guard him at the line? Please shoot.

And that's the lesser concern by far. His health is a much bigger issue. And you know I'm an optimist, lol!

[Ccwatercraft]

Bulls are set to have a tone of cap space in 2026, depending on their moves. Right now, only guaranteed contracts are Pat Will at $18 mill and Jalen Smith at 9.4. Team options on Ball, Matas, Phillips at 10 mill, 5.7 mill, 2.4 mill. Let's say $25-30, I'll use 25, and 5.2-8.4 for our rookie this year (picks 3-8). Say 6.5. Same for 2026 rookie, 6.5. $83.5 mill. Cap looks to be about $170 mill, and don't hit the luxury tax till $207 mill. Pat will look cheap as a percentage of cap then, or at least decent.

Roster of: Ball, Giddey, Matas, Pat, Smith, Phillips, 2025 Rookie, 2026 Rookie. Hopefully both rookies are very good, at least one. 7 players already, $86.5 mill under the cap and $123 mill under the luxury tax. At least 4 should be starting caliber by then. If we're picking up Ball's option, that means he's healthy and probably a good-great player.

If my numbers are wrong, please correct me. Looks to me like we should have a very talented squad of young guys locked up for years and space under the tax to add two max players if we want by next summer. If we get some lottery luck and end up with back to back top 5 picks, could be even crazier. We should be in the lottery both summers.

Edit: add in a cheap second round pick player, plus maybe another second in a Vuc trade. Takes us to 9 players for $85 mill or so.

What number are you assigning to Giddeys contract? 25ish?

I've been eyeballing that year as well where the tide can shift (for better or worse)

I have no clue on vucs value anymore but late first or some decent 2nds would probably suffice if your not taking back worthless contracts, if we have to take garbage past next season I'd just rather keep him and let him expire. A late first would mean a cheap contract and control, which is a plus.

[Infinity2152]

Bulls are set to have a tone of cap space in 2026, depending on their moves. Right now, only guaranteed contracts are Pat Will at $18 mill and Jalen Smith at 9.4. Team options on Ball, Matas, Phillips at 10 mill, 5.7 mill, 2.4 mill. Let's say $25-30, I'll use 25, and 5.2-8.4 for our rookie this year (picks 3-8). Say 6.5. Same for 2026 rookie, 6.5. $83.5 mill. Cap looks to be about $170 mill, and don't hit the luxury tax till $207 mill. Pat will look cheap as a percentage of cap then, or at least decent.

Roster of: Ball, Giddey, Matas, Pat, Smith, Phillips, 2025 Rookie, 2026 Rookie. Hopefully both rookies are very good, at least one. 7 players already, $86.5 mill under the cap and $123 mill under the luxury tax. At least 4 should be starting caliber by then. If we're picking up Ball's option, that means he's healthy and probably a good-great player.

If my numbers are wrong, please correct me. Looks to me like we should have a very talented squad of young guys locked up for years and space under the tax to add two max players if we want by next summer. If we get some lottery luck and end up with back to back top 5 picks, could be even crazier. We should be in the lottery both summers.

Edit: add in a cheap second round pick player, plus maybe another second in a Vuc trade. Takes us to 9 players for $85 mill or so.

What number are you assigning to Giddeys contract? 25ish?

I've been eyeballing that year as well where the tide can shift (for better or worse)

I have no clue on vucs value anymore but late first or some decent 2nds would probably suffice if your not taking back worthless contracts, if we have to take garbage past next season I'd just rather keep him and let him expire. A late first would mean a cheap contract and control, which is a plus.

Used $25 mill. Figure it will probably be somewhere between $20 and $30 mill. Having that amount of cap space gives us crazy flexibility, especially when loaded with a lot of young players with movable contracts to add. If one of the main points of moving Vuc is to clear cap, doesn't make sense to take contracts past one year, unless you really believe in their potential (and they'd still need to be cheap, I agree).

Thinking of who the "superstars" are in the league, this will probably be unpopular, but I'd target KD way before Zion. KD and Giannis are the two league superstar trades I'd be targeting. KD this summer or season, and Giannis I'd go hard summer 2026.

I know a lot of people want us to suck next year, but hear me out. Personally, I think KD is one of the most skilled and one of the highest basketball IQ's in the league. He plays for the love of the game, and there's been more pressure than love the last few years for him. He has rings, so that's not as much of a priority for him. Looking at a primary cost of White, Williams, filler, pick(s), not going to talk about the logistics. His playstyle, he can have 2-3 more great years and elevate our players soooooo much. If you can't tank into the top 3, it's not really that effective anyway. Look at the odds, and they drop way more after 5. Think KD could be happy here his last three years, and bring it. How does Giddey, VJ, Matas, KD, Smith with Ball, Collins, Huerter, Ayo, Phillips, Carter look? Playoff team, not play in team, maybe top 4 seed. Ton of young guys, so not a short term jump, but we should be very good and getting better the next few years. The cost to acquire KD may be less than comparable stars, given the Suns problems.

Imagine if VJ is really Dwayne Wade 2.0. We're not tanking with Giddey, VJ, Matas, Ball, Smith, Coby, Pat, Collins, etc anyway. KD's a great player, but what he could add to the team in terms of professionalism and veteran knowledge is even more valuable. And he's a solid defender, too.

Assuming Matas improves and VJ is great. If Ball is healthy and able to start, it's even crazier. Ball, VJ, Giddey, KD, Smith with Matas as 25+ minute 6th man. Might upgrade center if Smith or Collins don't step up, but every other position is covered with a young starter or KD.

[MrSparkle]

Bulls are set to have a tone of cap space in 2026, depending on their moves. Right now, only guaranteed contracts are Pat Will at $18 mill and Jalen Smith at 9.4. Team options on Ball, Matas, Phillips at 10 mill, 5.7 mill, 2.4 mill. Let's say $25-30, I'll use 25, and 5.2-8.4 for our rookie this year (picks 3-8). Say 6.5. Same for 2026 rookie, 6.5. $83.5 mill. Cap looks to be about $170 mill, and don't hit the luxury tax till $207 mill. Pat will look cheap as a percentage of cap then, or at least decent.

Roster of: Ball, Giddey, Matas, Pat, Smith, Phillips, 2025 Rookie, 2026 Rookie. Hopefully both rookies are very good, at least one. 7 players already, $86.5 mill under the cap and $123 mill under the luxury tax. At least 4 should be starting caliber by then. If we're picking up Ball's option, that means he's healthy and probably a good-great player.

If my numbers are wrong, please correct me. Looks to me like we should have a very talented squad of young guys locked up for years and space under the tax to add two max players if we want by next summer. If we get some lottery luck and end up with back to back top 5 picks, could be even crazier. We should be in the lottery both summers.

Edit: add in a cheap second round pick player, plus maybe another second in a Vuc trade. Takes us to 9 players for $85 mill or so.

What number are you assigning to Giddeys contract? 25ish?

I've been eyeballing that year as well where the tide can shift (for better or worse)

I have no clue on vucs value anymore but late first or some decent 2nds would probably suffice if your not taking back worthless contracts, if we have to take garbage past next season I'd just rather keep him and let him expire. A late first would mean a cheap contract and control, which is a plus.

Used $25 mill. Figure it will probably be somewhere between $20 and $30 mill. Having that amount of cap space gives us crazy flexibility, especially when loaded with a lot of young players with movable contracts to add. If one of the main points of moving Vuc is to clear cap, doesn't make sense to take contracts past one year, unless you really believe in their potential (and they'd still need to be cheap, I agree).

Thinking of who the "superstars" are in the league, this will probably be unpopular, but I'd target KD way before Zion. KD and Giannis are the two league superstar trades I'd be targeting. KD this summer or season, and Giannis I'd go hard summer 2026.

I know a lot of people want us to suck next year, but hear me out. Personally, I think KD is one of the most skilled and one of the highest basketball IQ's in the league. He plays for the love of the game, and there's been more pressure than love the last few years for him. He has rings, so that's not as much of a priority for him. Looking at a primary cost of White, Williams, filler, pick(s), not going to talk about the logistics. His playstyle, he can have 2-3 more great years and elevate our players soooooo much. If you can't tank into the top 3, it's not really that effective anyway. Look at the odds, and they drop way more after 5. Think KD could be happy here his last three years, and bring it. How does Giddey, VJ, Matas, KD, Smith with Ball, Collins, Huerter, Ayo, Phillips, Carter look? Playoff team, not play in team, maybe top 4 seed. Ton of young guys, so not a short term jump, but we should be very good and getting better the next few years. The cost to acquire KD may be less than comparable stars, given the Suns problems.

Imagine if VJ is really Dwayne Wade 2.0. We're not tanking with Giddey, VJ, Matas, Ball, Smith, Coby, Pat, Collins, etc anyway. KD's a great player, but what he could add to the team in terms of professionalism and veteran knowledge is even more valuable. And he's a solid defender, too.

Assuming Matas improves and VJ is great. If Ball is healthy and able to start, it's even crazier. Ball, VJ, Giddey, KD, Smith with Matas as 25+ minute 6th man. Might upgrade center if Smith or Collins don't step up, but every other position is covered with a young starter or KD.

Tell you what. IF Bulls get a top-4 in this draft and have a nice cornerstone guard to add to Matas...

I'd trade Patrick, Vuc, Terry, Jevon, 2027 & 2029 FRPs unprotected (and salary filler) for Durant with a +2Y extension guarantee (not 3), and I think Arturas would too.

Nevertheless a very risky trade. I said it in another post, but Durant seems to be a cursed asset at this point. Warriors finals injury plague; Nets injury plague and implosion; Suns implosion and sub-500 struggles. But I do agree he's a great player who barre injury has another 2 seasons of solid play. I'd only do it if we drafted the clear stud of this draft. And of course you wouldn't pursue him if you get Flagg, cause you start a patient build around Flagg and Matas at your forward positions, not send one of them to the bench.

But dumping Pat and Vuc in the deal makes it more palatable. But the whole plan would have to involve something else. Durant would have to be the "Vuc" of the deal. Follow-up with a Demar, Lonzo, Caruso, and have that 25 FRP become a better player than Pat. You'd need to shuffle the deck to consolidate for a true star (Giddey & Coby wouldn't cut it), and still have a depth chart. Cause otherwise, we're just another version of the Suns, with nobody near Booker's level. This is also assuming Matas becomes a great player. At the moment, he has ways to go. And you do realize Durant will be 37yo before next season? I wouldn't assume he lasts as long as Lebron; he's had worse injuries and already shown a sharper decline in adv. stats.

[WesPeace]

Hell no, for some unprotected picks for old geezer KD.. too old ,too much of a risk!

Even with core of Giddey, VJ,Matas, Smith, Ayo, Collins, not worth it for max East semifinals

[Infinity2152]

In this situation, not looking for Durant to "save" the Bulls. I'm optimistic that Giddey, Matas and the rookie we draft will be good. I realized how old KD is. He's a great vet who's a bridge while some of our guys learn greatness. We're talking about 2-3 years. Young players can't learn from young players, or bad ones. I'm putting the emphasis on propelling Giddey, Matas and the rookie we haven't even drafted yet, over the possibility of a higher pick in the next draft. KD's contract is up, we have cap space again, and Giddey, Matas and our two rookies we added during that time are closer to their prime.

There is no one player who's going to leap us into contention past "max East semi-finals". MAYBE Jokic. I want to continue to build a good, solid winning team starting after this offseason. Don't believe any single addition makes us Finals contenders, nor will this year's rookie and next year's rookie anytime soon. If we have to go to the Finals immediately by signing KD to a short term contract, we would have to spend a lot more for KD.

Losing year after year breeds losing. You see it all over the league. The teams at the bottom tend to stay near there, even after they get their star. Takes years to recover.

[sco]

Speaking of unprotected picks, I am less excited than I can remember in recent years with pretty much anyone not named Flagg in this draft.

Who do folks think we could land via trade for our pick plus any/all of our expirings, even POR pick?

I say this because we really need a #1 option on this team, and if AK won't tank, we might as well use the pick to get us better.

Guys I'm thinking about who have a small chance of becoming available:

Maxey
Zion
Kyrie
Lauri
Herro

[Infinity2152]

Speaking of unprotected picks, I am less excited than I can remember in recent years with pretty much anyone not named Flagg in this draft.

Who do folks think we could land via trade for our pick plus any/all of our expirings, even POR pick?

I say this because we really need a #1 option on this team, and if AK won't tank, we might as well use the pick to get us better.

Guys I'm thinking about who have a small chance of becoming available:

Maxey
Zion
Kyrie
Lauri

Of those 4, Zion and Lauri probably have a large chance of being available. Kyrie's an unrestricted free agent this summer. Philly would have to be really dumb to trade Maxey, whether they retool or keep trying to win. Embid and Paul George should be the one's moving. Add Embid to that list, rumors Philly was checking into medical retirement for him. But full rebuild, Maxey's definitely their best asset.

Herro's not better than Lavine, imo. Using picks to add Herro at $30 mill with two years left, Heat would probably want a ransom for him. We'd still need a number 1.

[sco]

Speaking of unprotected picks, I am less excited than I can remember in recent years with pretty much anyone not named Flagg in this draft.

Who do folks think we could land via trade for our pick plus any/all of our expirings, even POR pick?

I say this because we really need a #1 option on this team, and if AK won't tank, we might as well use the pick to get us better.

Guys I'm thinking about who have a small chance of becoming available:

Maxey
Zion
Kyrie
Lauri

Of those 4, Zion and Lauri probably have a large chance of being available. Kyrie's an unrestricted free agent this summer. Philly would have to be really dumb to trade Maxey, whether they retool or keep trying to win. Embid and Paul George should be the one's moving. Add Embid to that list, rumors Philly was checking into medical retirement for him. But full rebuild, Maxey's definitely their best asset.

Herro's not better than Lavine. Using picks to add Herro at $30 mill with two years left, Heat would probably want a ransom for him.

Maybe Booker

[Infinity2152]

Speaking of unprotected picks, I am less excited than I can remember in recent years with pretty much anyone not named Flagg in this draft.

Who do folks think we could land via trade for our pick plus any/all of our expirings, even POR pick?

I say this because we really need a #1 option on this team, and if AK won't tank, we might as well use the pick to get us better.

Guys I'm thinking about who have a small chance of becoming available:

Maxey
Zion
Kyrie
Lauri

Of those 4, Zion and Lauri probably have a large chance of being available. Kyrie's an unrestricted free agent this summer. Philly would have to be really dumb to trade Maxey, whether they retool or keep trying to win. Embid and Paul George should be the one's moving. Add Embid to that list, rumors Philly was checking into medical retirement for him. But full rebuild, Maxey's definitely their best asset.

Herro's not better than Lavine. Using picks to add Herro at $30 mill with two years left, Heat would probably want a ransom for him.

Maybe Booker

Interesting. Before this season, would have said no way. But Beal's contract looks immovable, KD only has one year left. They look much better long-term if they trade both Booker and KD for young players and tons of picks. They would probably have to take back at least one Lavine/Scottie Barnes level star/contract, so lower level star to ride with Beal, some young talent and maybe 8-12 picks, (5-7 firsts). They don't own their own picks, so tanking is not an option.

You just pushed Booker to number 2 on my target list behind Giannis, lol. Actually, number 1 (age). Of course, the cost to add Giannis or Booker vs KD would be much higher, I think. Adding Booker to this team could have similar results to adding Donovan Mitchell to Cleveland, if we can keep Giddey, Matas, and our rookie.

[HopelessKnick]

Brief question: Why are you guys so down on Coby? Thought he had a great stretch last season with you. He can score, shoot and playmake a little. Good value at his contract it seems to me.

What are his downsides at this point?

[sco]

Brief question: Why are you guys so down on Coby? Thought he had a great stretch last season with you. He can score, shoot and playmake a little. Good value at his contract it seems to me.

What are his downsides at this point?

I think the short answer is that we had hoped he'd become more than a good 6th man. He's a streaky 3pt shooter. He can't consistently get to the rim off the dribble. He's a below-average play maker. And he's a bad defender.

[HopelessKnick]

Brief question: Why are you guys so down on Coby? Thought he had a great stretch last season with you. He can score, shoot and playmake a little. Good value at his contract it seems to me.

What are his downsides at this point?

I think the short answer is that we had hoped he'd become more than a good 6th man. He's a streaky 3pt shooter. He can't consistently get to the rim off the dribble. He's a below-average play maker. And he's a bad defender.

Thanks for the reply...I guess following the Bulls a bit during Coby's hot streak last season made me overestimate him a little. Would still probably be a good fringe starter/bench player for a lot of teams.

[ChettheJet]

As the ORL game is tonight, at this point they could play well, they could win or lose with no big effect to where they land, play in or top 6 pick

What I think I'm going to do is watch the other team, ORL now, and see who they might see as surplus, or a way to cut some salary and who could the Bulls get back in some kind of deal with them.

The Magic have Suggs and Franz Wagner with huge extensions next year, KCP at $21M, Issac's deal goes down to $15M, Paolo is a RFA in 2 years and Wendell Carter's contract almost doubles at that same time. And they look to have an extra pick in 2025 and a lot of SRPs coming

So among Anthony, , Mo Wagner, Black, Howard, Issac who could they look to move and would they want 2 rookies next year what about those SRPs

What would Coby, Ayo or even Carter do for them?