Rumor: Bulls Interested in RJ Barrett (UPDATE OP POST)

[Jcool0]

High level scorer? Barrett has been quite inefficient for his whole career outside of a 32 game stretch with Toronto the year before last.

Coby was significantly more efficient scoring inside than Barrett last year.

No reason for Barrett unless it gets rid of Patrick's deal and another losable asset. Even then I really question it.

This.

Surpised MG wants Barrett. Didn’t see that one coming. Expecially for 12. His value is nowhere close to that.

You don't think RJ Barrett is worth a late lotto pick in the middle 3rd of the first? At his age?

I think it's a calculated gamble and potential steal. Pat's negative value offset by Ayo's positive, plus a late lotto pick that may well be nothing, for a guy who has proven that he can be a 1st option on a bad team and had stretches where he looked like more. Remember that RJ shot 44% from 3 on mid volume for Canada when playing with SGA and Nembhard. Yeah, tiny sample, but he has had stretches where he shoots at a + level in the league, too. The question is effort and feel on D moreso than shot, and I think that there is room for optimism on that front, too.

He has played in 387 games over 6 seasons... He is who he is at this point.

[The Box Office]

I remember this Chicago Bulls RealGM board was hyping RJ Barrett a month BEFORE he was drafted. I was the only one criticizing this kid's skill set at the time. Or the lack of skills.

I was the only one criticizing. I remember that.

Honestly, we don't have time for a non defensive here who is only interested in getting his shots up. Pretty much, RJ is another ball hog who doesn't play defense or facilitate.

Not to derail this thread, but please stop hyping up Khaman Maluach.

[Jcool0]

I remember this Chicago Bulls RealGM board was hyping RJ Barrett a month BEFORE he was drafted. I was the only one criticizing this kid's skill set at the time. Or the lack of skills.

I was the only one criticizing. I remember that.

Honestly, we don't have time for a non defensive here who is only interested in getting his shots up. Pretty much, RJ is another ball hog who doesn't play defense or facilitate.

Not to derail this thread, but please stop hyping up Khaman Maluach.

99.9999999% this isn't true.

[sco]

High level scorer? Barrett has been quite inefficient for his whole career outside of a 32 game stretch with Toronto the year before last.

Coby was significantly more efficient scoring inside than Barrett last year.

No reason for Barrett unless it gets rid of Patrick's deal and another losable asset. Even then I really question it.

This.

Surpised MG wants Barrett. Didn’t see that one coming. Expecially for 12. His value is nowhere close to that.

You don't think RJ Barrett is worth a late lotto pick in the middle 3rd of the first? At his age?

I think it's a calculated gamble and potential steal. Pat's negative value offset by Ayo's positive, plus a late lotto pick that may well be nothing, for a guy who has proven that he can be a 1st option on a bad team and had stretches where he looked like more. Remember that RJ shot 44% from 3 on mid volume for Canada when playing with SGA and Nembhard. Yeah, tiny sample, but he has had stretches where he shoots at a + level in the league, too. The question is effort and feel on D moreso than shot, and I think that there is room for optimism on that front, too.

I won't debate that Barrett has the potential to be better than last year and the ability to be an average 3pt shot. That said, I don't think he is any better than Huerter. More importantly, I look at this team's best path to improvement this season will come from the insertion of a better POA defender and a rim-protecting C into the starting line-up. Taking on a guy like Barrett (same for Sabonis) comes with the opportunity cost of building a better constructed starting line-up. The other opportunity cost (unless they are replacing White) is that by adding another scorer to the starting line-up will take shots away from Matas, who I want to step into the role of 3rd option scorer this season.

[League Circles]

High level scorer? Barrett has been quite inefficient for his whole career outside of a 32 game stretch with Toronto the year before last.

Coby was significantly more efficient scoring inside than Barrett last year.

No reason for Barrett unless it gets rid of Patrick's deal and another losable asset. Even then I really question it.

This.

Surpised MG wants Barrett. Didn’t see that one coming. Expecially for 12. His value is nowhere close to that.

You don't think RJ Barrett is worth a late lotto pick in the middle 3rd of the first? At his age?

I think it's a calculated gamble and potential steal. Pat's negative value offset by Ayo's positive, plus a late lotto pick that may well be nothing, for a guy who has proven that he can be a 1st option on a bad team and had stretches where he looked like more. Remember that RJ shot 44% from 3 on mid volume for Canada when playing with SGA and Nembhard. Yeah, tiny sample, but he has had stretches where he shoots at a + level in the league, too. The question is effort and feel on D moreso than shot, and I think that there is room for optimism on that front, too.

In a vacuum anyone can be worth whatever. But to our specific roster, at this specific time, IMO no. We have way, way bigger needs than him IMO. For what we need, I don't think he separates himself enough from Ball, Ayo, or a guy we could draft at #12 enough to justify a commitment to that 2 years at big money.

IMO, #1 options for bad teams are very often among the most overrated players in the league.

[sco]

This.

Surpised MG wants Barrett. Didn’t see that one coming. Expecially for 12. His value is nowhere close to that.

You don't think RJ Barrett is worth a late lotto pick in the middle 3rd of the first? At his age?

I think it's a calculated gamble and potential steal. Pat's negative value offset by Ayo's positive, plus a late lotto pick that may well be nothing, for a guy who has proven that he can be a 1st option on a bad team and had stretches where he looked like more. Remember that RJ shot 44% from 3 on mid volume for Canada when playing with SGA and Nembhard. Yeah, tiny sample, but he has had stretches where he shoots at a + level in the league, too. The question is effort and feel on D moreso than shot, and I think that there is room for optimism on that front, too.

In a vacuum anyone can be worth whatever. But to our specific roster, at this specific time, IMO no. We have way, way bigger needs than him IMO. For what we need, I don't think he separates himself enough from Ball, Ayo, or a guy we could draft at #12 enough to justify a commitment to that 2 years at big money.

IMO, #1 options for bad teams are very often among the most overrated players in the league.

Truth! RJ is what I fear Coby will become for us...a 3rd option player who is playing the role of a #1 option, paid like a #2 option. Of the two, I prefer Coby.

[MGB8]

This.

Surpised MG wants Barrett. Didn’t see that one coming. Expecially for 12. His value is nowhere close to that.

You don't think RJ Barrett is worth a late lotto pick in the middle 3rd of the first? At his age?

I think it's a calculated gamble and potential steal. Pat's negative value offset by Ayo's positive, plus a late lotto pick that may well be nothing, for a guy who has proven that he can be a 1st option on a bad team and had stretches where he looked like more. Remember that RJ shot 44% from 3 on mid volume for Canada when playing with SGA and Nembhard. Yeah, tiny sample, but he has had stretches where he shoots at a + level in the league, too. The question is effort and feel on D moreso than shot, and I think that there is room for optimism on that front, too.

I won't debate that Barrett has the potential to be better than last year and the ability to be an average 3pt shot. That said, I don't think he is any better than Huerter. More importantly, I look at this team's best path to improvement this season will come from the insertion of a better POA defender and a rim-protecting C into the starting line-up. Taking on a guy like Barrett (same for Sabonis) comes with the opportunity cost of building a better constructed starting line-up. The other opportunity cost (unless they are replacing White) is that by adding another scorer to the starting line-up will take shots away from Matas, who I want to step into the role of 3rd option scorer this season.

That’s fair. But I am very concerned that Coby White doesn’t have the finishing ability inside nor consistency from the outside to be a #1 scorer on a good team. I think there is a materially greater chance that RJ could be a legit number 1 scorer on a good team if he was in the right role - which I think Giddey (and Matas, assuming the 3 stays or even improves) would enable.

So basically RJ becomes a hedge on Coby, and vice versa. And if they both start looking like #1s… that is a good problem to have; if neither does; try again. Same reason I am so interested in KJ… I think that the Bulls have to have a hedge on the idea of Coby as your #1 scorer.

You lose a shot at drafting a better POA defender or defensive 5…. but the Demin leak suggests that AKME have no interest in focusing on that, regardless.

[WesPeace]

Hell no! RJ Barrett isnt what Bulls need like at all! Just dumb trade, if it happens,especially for Coby,#12 or Ayo or whatever.. maybe just swap for PWill,maybe

[DuckIII]

Eh...RJ is one of my least favorite players in the league but he fits the criteria of undervalued talent that could break out with maturity and a change of scenery.

Is he? Seems like very much a known commodity at this point.

Also, not enough panic in here for my tastes. Trading our lottery pick to “compete now” with a “veteran star” like RJ Barrett has been the elephant in the room all offseason. A move like this has always been the “most AK” of the available options.

Pat and Vuc? Sure. But that is not the deal.

Us trading the 12th pick for a veteran hasnt been mentioned anywhere, and especially not for RJ Barrett.

You mean it wasn't mentioned in the single tweet that provides no details at all about what any team might offer?

No shot. Theres no elephant in the room on this.

Either you hold a much higher opinion of AK than pretty much everyone else or I don't think you've been paying close attention to his tactics and preferences. Virtually every (literally every?) move AK has made has been with the purpose to improve quickly in the short term, and he's been very willing to use future assets and draft picks to do it. Him trading the pick for an undervalued "big name" player with a low price tag is 100% within what to expect, or at minimum be extremely concerned with, based on his own track record and repeated public statements.

Something like PWill + Carter for RJ is worth kicking the tires on.

Sure, basically getting him for nothing for 2 years is nice. As if no one would top that crap offer.

One tweet mentioning us among a group of teams from a no name reporter shouldn’t incite panic.

Depends on who is running your team.

[sco]

You don't think RJ Barrett is worth a late lotto pick in the middle 3rd of the first? At his age?

I think it's a calculated gamble and potential steal. Pat's negative value offset by Ayo's positive, plus a late lotto pick that may well be nothing, for a guy who has proven that he can be a 1st option on a bad team and had stretches where he looked like more. Remember that RJ shot 44% from 3 on mid volume for Canada when playing with SGA and Nembhard. Yeah, tiny sample, but he has had stretches where he shoots at a + level in the league, too. The question is effort and feel on D moreso than shot, and I think that there is room for optimism on that front, too.

I won't debate that Barrett has the potential to be better than last year and the ability to be an average 3pt shot. That said, I don't think he is any better than Huerter. More importantly, I look at this team's best path to improvement this season will come from the insertion of a better POA defender and a rim-protecting C into the starting line-up. Taking on a guy like Barrett (same for Sabonis) comes with the opportunity cost of building a better constructed starting line-up. The other opportunity cost (unless they are replacing White) is that by adding another scorer to the starting line-up will take shots away from Matas, who I want to step into the role of 3rd option scorer this season.

That’s fair. But I am very concerned that Coby White doesn’t have the finishing ability inside nor consistency from the outside to be a #1 scorer on a good team. I think there is a materially greater chance that RJ could be a legit number 1 scorer on a good team if he was in the right role - which I think Giddey (and Matas, assuming the 3 stays or even improves) would enable.

So basically RJ becomes a hedge on Coby, and vice versa. And if they toy look like #1s… that is a good problem to have; if neither does; try again. Same reason I am so interested in KJ… I think that the Bulls have to have a hedge on the idea of Coby as your #1 scorer.

You lose a shot at drafting a better POA defender or defensive 5…. but the Demin leak suggests that AKME have no interest in focusing on that, regardless.

I understand the desire to replace Coby with a guy who has a better shot at being a legit #1 scoring option, and I support that idea whole-heartedly, but I am confident that RJ Barrett isn't that guy either.

[jnrjr79]

I hope this rumor is untrue, but obviously you can't trust AK. The worst possible thing this team could do is fill up the cap sheet with mid players who are "names" (if RJ even is one). You're absolutely consigning yourself to the treadmill with that kind of stuff.

[MGB8]

This.

Surpised MG wants Barrett. Didn’t see that one coming. Expecially for 12. His value is nowhere close to that.

You don't think RJ Barrett is worth a late lotto pick in the middle 3rd of the first? At his age?

I think it's a calculated gamble and potential steal. Pat's negative value offset by Ayo's positive, plus a late lotto pick that may well be nothing, for a guy who has proven that he can be a 1st option on a bad team and had stretches where he looked like more. Remember that RJ shot 44% from 3 on mid volume for Canada when playing with SGA and Nembhard. Yeah, tiny sample, but he has had stretches where he shoots at a + level in the league, too. The question is effort and feel on D moreso than shot, and I think that there is room for optimism on that front, too.

In a vacuum anyone can be worth whatever. But to our specific roster, at this specific time, IMO no. We have way, way bigger needs than him IMO. For what we need, I don't think he separates himself enough from Ball, Ayo, or a guy we could draft at #12 enough to justify a commitment to that 2 years at big money.

IMO, #1 options for bad teams are very often among the most overrated players in the league.

It would be a gamble that RJ can evolve from being the #1 on a bad team to the #1 on a good team. Based on some incremental growth he has shown, factoring some tough conditions, and looking at strong stretches (when he was in a good role for him) with TO post trade, and a few other times in his career, to include stretches in NY and also his play for Canada.

It might fail, but the salary doesn’t concern me assuming (and this is a must) that Pat is part of the package going out (and likely Ayo given need to provide some value).

[sco]

You don't think RJ Barrett is worth a late lotto pick in the middle 3rd of the first? At his age?

I think it's a calculated gamble and potential steal. Pat's negative value offset by Ayo's positive, plus a late lotto pick that may well be nothing, for a guy who has proven that he can be a 1st option on a bad team and had stretches where he looked like more. Remember that RJ shot 44% from 3 on mid volume for Canada when playing with SGA and Nembhard. Yeah, tiny sample, but he has had stretches where he shoots at a + level in the league, too. The question is effort and feel on D moreso than shot, and I think that there is room for optimism on that front, too.

In a vacuum anyone can be worth whatever. But to our specific roster, at this specific time, IMO no. We have way, way bigger needs than him IMO. For what we need, I don't think he separates himself enough from Ball, Ayo, or a guy we could draft at #12 enough to justify a commitment to that 2 years at big money.

IMO, #1 options for bad teams are very often among the most overrated players in the league.

It would be a gamble that RJ can evolve from being the #1 on a bad team to the #1 on a good team. Based on some incremental growth he has shown, factoring some tough conditions, and looking at strong stretches (when he was in a good role for him) with TO post trade, and a few other times in his career, to include stretches in NY and also his play for Canada.

It might fail, but the salary doesn’t concern me assuming (and this is a must) that Pat is part of the package going out (and likely Ayo given need to provide some value).

There's a price to pay for Barrett that wouldn't bother me...Vuc/PWill would be a win, Vuc/PWill/Por 1st would be a push, #12 + anything would be a loss.

[Red8911]

This.

Surpised MG wants Barrett. Didn’t see that one coming. Expecially for 12. His value is nowhere close to that.

You don't think RJ Barrett is worth a late lotto pick in the middle 3rd of the first? At his age?

I think it's a calculated gamble and potential steal. Pat's negative value offset by Ayo's positive, plus a late lotto pick that may well be nothing, for a guy who has proven that he can be a 1st option on a bad team and had stretches where he looked like more. Remember that RJ shot 44% from 3 on mid volume for Canada when playing with SGA and Nembhard. Yeah, tiny sample, but he has had stretches where he shoots at a + level in the league, too. The question is effort and feel on D moreso than shot, and I think that there is room for optimism on that front, too.

I won't debate that Barrett has the potential to be better than last year and the ability to be an average 3pt shot. That said, I don't think he is any better than Huerter. More importantly, I look at this team's best path to improvement this season will come from the insertion of a better POA defender and a rim-protecting C into the starting line-up. Taking on a guy like Barrett (same for Sabonis) comes with the opportunity cost of building a better constructed starting line-up. The other opportunity cost (unless they are replacing White) is that by adding another scorer to the starting line-up will take shots away from Matas, who I want to step into the role of 3rd option scorer this season.

Is RJ Barrett that bad with shooting 3s? I think he’s decent and he does make plenty. He used to be worse but had gotten a lot better. Idk why everyone here is calling him a bad shooter.

[MGB8]

In a vacuum anyone can be worth whatever. But to our specific roster, at this specific time, IMO no. We have way, way bigger needs than him IMO. For what we need, I don't think he separates himself enough from Ball, Ayo, or a guy we could draft at #12 enough to justify a commitment to that 2 years at big money.

IMO, #1 options for bad teams are very often among the most overrated players in the league.

It would be a gamble that RJ can evolve from being the #1 on a bad team to the #1 on a good team. Based on some incremental growth he has shown, factoring some tough conditions, and looking at strong stretches (when he was in a good role for him) with TO post trade, and a few other times in his career, to include stretches in NY and also his play for Canada.

It might fail, but the salary doesn’t concern me assuming (and this is a must) that Pat is part of the package going out (and likely Ayo given need to provide some value).

There's a price to pay for Barrett that wouldn't bother me...Vuc/PWill would be a win, Vuc/PWill/Por 1st would be a push, #12 + anything would be a loss.

I guess I don’t value the 12 very much is the difference. Mind you, that is in a vacuum and hugely impacted by the Demin leak.

Again, if KJ fell to 12, I’d rather roll the dice on KJ (on a rookie deal) than on RJ (on 2 years, 57.5 M). But outside of him or a move up for Tre Johnson (assuming he drops and there is a not-too-costly way to get him) or one of the bigs dropping but blowing pants off our folks in a way that I get (hasn’t happened with me yet)…. The 12 doesn’t excite me much.

[DuckIII]

You don't think RJ Barrett is worth a late lotto pick in the middle 3rd of the first? At his age?

Absolutely not. He's a known commodity making $30 million per year and is not a needle mover. Low efficiency, poor defense, no further upside. Plus we should not be trying to artificially inflate short term wins with guys like this. That's how we ended up in this nightmare in the first place.

But, again, this is absolutely the type of thing AK would do and actively looks to do.

[Bulliever2020]

Unless it is a way to dump PW's contract

helllllllllllll no

[League Circles]

You don't think RJ Barrett is worth a late lotto pick in the middle 3rd of the first? At his age?

I think it's a calculated gamble and potential steal. Pat's negative value offset by Ayo's positive, plus a late lotto pick that may well be nothing, for a guy who has proven that he can be a 1st option on a bad team and had stretches where he looked like more. Remember that RJ shot 44% from 3 on mid volume for Canada when playing with SGA and Nembhard. Yeah, tiny sample, but he has had stretches where he shoots at a + level in the league, too. The question is effort and feel on D moreso than shot, and I think that there is room for optimism on that front, too.

I won't debate that Barrett has the potential to be better than last year and the ability to be an average 3pt shot. That said, I don't think he is any better than Huerter. More importantly, I look at this team's best path to improvement this season will come from the insertion of a better POA defender and a rim-protecting C into the starting line-up. Taking on a guy like Barrett (same for Sabonis) comes with the opportunity cost of building a better constructed starting line-up. The other opportunity cost (unless they are replacing White) is that by adding another scorer to the starting line-up will take shots away from Matas, who I want to step into the role of 3rd option scorer this season.

Is RJ Barrett that bad with shooting 3s? I think he’s decent and he does make plenty. He used to be worse but had gotten a lot better. Idk why everyone here is calling him a bad shooter.

He's been significantly and consistently well below league average shooting efficiency throughout his career, both overall and from 3.

[boozapalooza]

Is he? Seems like very much a known commodity at this point.

Also, not enough panic in here for my tastes. Trading our lottery pick to “compete now” with a “veteran star” like RJ Barrett has been the elephant in the room all offseason. A move like this has always been the “most AK” of the available options.

Pat and Vuc? Sure. But that is not the deal.

Us trading the 12th pick for a veteran hasnt been mentioned anywhere, and especially not for RJ Barrett.

You mean it wasn't mentioned in the single tweet that provides no details at all about what any team might offer?

No shot. Theres no elephant in the room on this.

Either you hold a much higher opinion of AK than pretty much everyone else or I don't think you've been paying close attention to his tactics and preferences. Virtually every (literally every?) move AK has made has been with the purpose to improve quickly in the short term, and he's been very willing to use future assets and draft picks to do it. Him trading the pick for an undervalued "big name" player with a low price tag is 100% within what to expect, or at minimum be extremely concerned with, based on his own track record and repeated public statements.

Something like PWill + Carter for RJ is worth kicking the tires on.

Sure, basically getting him for nothing for 2 years is nice. As if no one would top that crap offer.

One tweet mentioning us among a group of teams from a no name reporter shouldn’t incite panic.

Depends on who is running your team.

Quote tweeting every sentence doesn’t mean you’re right. Retaining our pick without protection was the key asset we got back in the Zach trade. Do you honestly think AK is gonna immediately give that up to acquire a RJ Barrett??? Regardless of what you think of AK, that’s absurd.

He just nailed the Matas at 11 pick and surely thinks he will be able to do it again, based on public comments he has made. He has also stressed maintaining financial flexbility. So why would we give up #12 and more for the luxury of committing $30M/year to RJ Barrett?

I don’t mind Barrett but he isn’t being traded for an unprotected lotto pick.

[DuckIII]

You don't think RJ Barrett is worth a late lotto pick in the middle 3rd of the first? At his age?

I think it's a calculated gamble and potential steal. Pat's negative value offset by Ayo's positive, plus a late lotto pick that may well be nothing, for a guy who has proven that he can be a 1st option on a bad team and had stretches where he looked like more. Remember that RJ shot 44% from 3 on mid volume for Canada when playing with SGA and Nembhard. Yeah, tiny sample, but he has had stretches where he shoots at a + level in the league, too. The question is effort and feel on D moreso than shot, and I think that there is room for optimism on that front, too.

I won't debate that Barrett has the potential to be better than last year and the ability to be an average 3pt shot. That said, I don't think he is any better than Huerter. More importantly, I look at this team's best path to improvement this season will come from the insertion of a better POA defender and a rim-protecting C into the starting line-up. Taking on a guy like Barrett (same for Sabonis) comes with the opportunity cost of building a better constructed starting line-up. The other opportunity cost (unless they are replacing White) is that by adding another scorer to the starting line-up will take shots away from Matas, who I want to step into the role of 3rd option scorer this season.

Is RJ Barrett that bad with shooting 3s? I think he’s decent and he does make plenty. He used to be worse but had gotten a lot better. Idk why everyone here is calling him a bad shooter.

He has a career .346 3pt % and its not "improving." And his career TS is an abysmal .531 and last year was .546. Those are worse than Dalen Terry's efficiency numbers. And he stinks at defense. And he makes $30 million per year.