Bulls go for a star (AD/Zion/Sabonis/Lauri/KD)

pipfan · Post #1 » by **pipfan** » Sat Apr 5, 2025 6:57 pm

The Bulls recent surge behind White/Matas/Giddey (with good play from others), and our FO's reluctance to tank, got me wondering:

Should they make a move this summer and go for a top 4 seed next year?
I know we don't have the assets to get Giannis (unless we get lotto luck and move into the top 3), but what about AD, Lauri, Sabonis, KD or Zion?
Not sure if AD will be available, and I would be very hesitant due to his health. Zion too-NO might just keep him and hope he gets healthy.

But would a Vuc/PWill/#11 pick/Port pick/2027 unprotected Bulls' first get any of these guys?

This is my 5th trade posted today-I promise no more

Post #2 » by **penbeast0** » Sat Apr 5, 2025 7:03 pm

If you are going for a star, you need to give up something that says star value either a star, a high draft pick, or a young guy with star potential. In terms of rep v. actual value, that would mean any of these deals would probably start with Buzelis as he's the value contract.

Unless you are going for someone with seriously damaged rep like when Dallas went out and got Kyrie. I don't think Zion or Markkanen is at that level yet (though I could be wrong) and even that deal brought the Nets back an unprotected 29 pick (edit. just saw the unprotected 27 which I had missed the first time). There are a lot of teams for whom the depth of your offer would get you a Lauri or Zion but I don't think either Utah or New Orleans is there; they are also looking to consolidate value.

Godaddycurse · Post #3 » by **Godaddycurse** » Sat Apr 5, 2025 7:45 pm

probably need to keep PWill and replace with an expiring filler like Huerter

giberish · Post #4 » by **giberish** » Sat Apr 5, 2025 8:12 pm

That would be in the vicinity for a flawed star (or secondary star).

AD won't be on the market. You can't trade Luka for AD then turn around and deal AD. It would require the owners to sell the team admitting that they were grossly incompetent (firing Nico wouldn't be nearly enough).

I don't know how NO views Zion. I wouldn't value him highly but some other team might and NO may still be hoping things come together for him. Phoenix hopes for more from a KD trade but old and off a poor season I'm not sure he brings back much more. This also seems around Larui's price.

Of course I'm not sure how far any of these guys take Chicago. Maybe the best case scenario for Zion ends up above 50 wins but that's far from certain.

jayjaysee · Post #5 » by **jayjaysee** » Sat Apr 5, 2025 8:34 pm

I think it’s a really bad idea for Chicago. Chicago probably needs “best two players” on a contender, not just one flawed star..

But I think that package gets 2-3 of the five if their teams are taking offers (Zion, KD, and maybe Lauri)

Feel like AD should hold more value than that. Not sure how much more? Maybe just one first? No idea though. Don’t see a realistic scenario where Dallas trade AD / tanks next season honestly. Maybe if they lose in play in and win the lottery? But probably not even then.

JB2 · Post #6 » by **JB2** » Sat Apr 5, 2025 9:01 pm

Bulls need to stay the course. Don't trade for another star that won't get you to title contention.

ChettheJet · Post #7 » by **ChettheJet** » Sat Apr 5, 2025 10:18 pm

Blowing it up 300 times wasn't bad enough.

You see the Bulls board, people have noticed how different the Bulls style of play has been since they first moved Demar DeRozan and at the deadline Zach Lavine. It's a faster pace, more players are engaged and involved, most notably White and Giddey, Buzelis has done more with more minutes, they play stronger defense. And you're fixated on getting BIGGER NAMES than either DeRozan or Lavine and retreating BACKWARDS to get some ball dominant superstar who takes away from the share the wealth style they've used to have a winning record since the deadline. It's like you want more highlights on NBATV than maybe not clawing their way into the play in every year.

babyjax13 · Post #8 » by **babyjax13** » Sun Apr 6, 2025 11:35 pm

I'd easily trade Lauri for some picks from the Bulls. I have no confidence that they are on the path to being a good team.

Post #9 » by **HomoSapien** » Mon Apr 7, 2025 2:09 am

This Bulls team is all about ball movement, running, and shooting three's. If you bring in a potential ball stopper, you risk ruining this team's identity. Obviously, they are far from a contender but they are also very young. I think you stick with the current group and just let them grow together. The biggest non-star addition this team could make is a defensive minded athletic center. We don't really have that guy, although Smith brings elements of those traits.

The Gaffords and Kesslers of the world would make a tremendous difference on this team.

tacos · Post #10 » by **tacos** » Mon Apr 7, 2025 2:38 am

This could be enough for most of these... it's looking more and more Portland will convey at some point so it's 3 good pucks

pipfan · Post #11 » by **pipfan** » Mon Apr 7, 2025 5:52 am

I really like this possible lineup
White/Ayo
Giddey/Ball
Matas/Huerter
Lauri/Phillips
Collins/Smith

Lauri would fit REALLY well into our current group. We could also protect the pick a bit too

Dez · Post #12 » by **Dez** » Mon Apr 7, 2025 10:56 am

pipfan wrote:I really like this possible lineup
White/Ayo
Giddey/Ball
Matas/Huerter
Lauri/Phillips
Collins/Smith

Lauri would fit REALLY well into our current group. We could also protect the pick a bit too

F*** paying Lauri 50M.

That team also needs to score 200 points a game to win with the complete non-existent defence.

Astaluego · Post #13 » by **Astaluego** » Mon Apr 7, 2025 12:11 pm

Vuc/Carter + Bulls FRP (11) + Blazers FRP for Ayton + Blazers 25 (9)
The Bulls get a super-talented center and move up in the Draft

Dez · Post #14 » by **Dez** » Tue Apr 8, 2025 3:33 am

Astaluego wrote:Vuc/Carter + Bulls FRP (11) + Blazers FRP for Ayton + Blazers 25 (9)
The Bulls get a super-talented center and move up in the Draft

No way, the Bulls are giving up crap but getting worse crap back.

Rather just roll with Collins and Smith, there's no question regarding their efforts.

meekrab · Post #15 » by **meekrab** » Tue Apr 8, 2025 4:34 am

They really shouldn't do this, all those guys are seriously flawed. Just let Giddey/White/Buzelis develop. Add a fourth guy who's undervalued by his current team in free agency later.

babyjax13 · Post #16 » by **babyjax13** » Tue Apr 8, 2025 6:43 am

Dez wrote:
Astaluego wrote:Vuc/Carter + Bulls FRP (11) + Blazers FRP for Ayton + Blazers 25 (9)
The Bulls get a super-talented center and move up in the Draft

No way, the Bulls are giving up crap but getting worse crap back.

Rather just roll with Collins and Smith, there's no question regarding their efforts.

I think Chicago should do that. The players are totally immaterial, it is crap in, crap out, but you move up two spots.

Post #17 » by **Foshan** » Tue Apr 8, 2025 7:37 am

let's say that CHI doesn't want to move any of their picks, and wants to gamble on a struggling star...

Phi: P.George (+Drummond)
CHI: Vucevic, PWill, Smith or?

PG has looked bad, but the flashed where he looked good, were when Embiid was out, and we were playing a faster up and down/shoot type game. which it seems like CHI does well.

For Philly Vucevic can try to earn his next paycheck while Embiid recovers.

Dez · Post #18 » by **Dez** » Tue Apr 8, 2025 8:44 am

babyjax13 wrote:
Dez wrote:
Astaluego wrote:Vuc/Carter + Bulls FRP (11) + Blazers FRP for Ayton + Blazers 25 (9)
The Bulls get a super-talented center and move up in the Draft

No way, the Bulls are giving up crap but getting worse crap back.

Rather just roll with Collins and Smith, there's no question regarding their efforts.

I think Chicago should do that. The players are totally immaterial, it is crap in, crap out, but you move up two spots.

While the Portland pick is unlikely to convey it's still a chance and throwing that in as well just to move up two spots but take on the garbage that is DeAndre Ayton is a no.

evilution · Post #19 » by **evilution** » Tue Apr 8, 2025 10:21 am

Foshan wrote:let's say that CHI doesn't want to move any of their picks, and wants to gamble on a struggling star...

Phi: P.George (+Drummond)
CHI: Vucevic, PWill, Smith or?

PG has looked bad, but the flashed where he looked good, were when Embiid was out, and we were playing a faster up and down/shoot type game. which it seems like CHI does well.

For Philly Vucevic can try to earn his next paycheck while Embiid recovers.

This should be a non-starter without 76ers adding pick compensation, and 76ers shouldn't be trading their picks.

IMO in general it's not the time yet for the Bulls, as was already stated in the thread. Give a couple years for Coby/Giddey/Buzelis development, draft BPAs (at SF/PF/C in a perfect scenario), then reassess what you have.