Shams: Lonzo for Okoro

burlydee · Post #101 » by **burlydee** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 4:32 pm

My biggest problem with the trade is I thought they could get more for Lonzo. They probably think Okoro can be that multi position perimeter defender they hoped Terry could be.

Its very clear AK has an archetype for how he wants to build a team. Big point guard, dynamic wing scorer, multiple wing defenders, versatile 4, center that can act as a hub. Okoro fits the wing defender mold with Caruso, Terry, Green, etc.

But like the Caruso deal, people are going to wonder if they should have got more. Beyond the Memphis deal, I imagine there are other top teams like GS, Houston, Orlando who were interested in a guy like Lonzo. Is Okoro the best prospect available?

Tetlak · Post #102 » by **Tetlak** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 4:32 pm

Its really not a big deal. If Okoro pops, he pops. If he doesn't, you move on. There's probably a higher probability of this guy being decent (because he's closer to his prime and has shown defense and ok 3 point shooting for multiple seasons at the NBA level) than whatever late 1st rookie we select, who in all likelihood would suck. We need to be realistic about how the draft works. Half of each class busts; sometimes even more.

This also seems to me as a way to push Pat and to a lesser extent Noa.

Lots of overreactions.

MrSparkle · Post #103 » by **MrSparkle** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 4:34 pm

Seems like there’s still a commitment to compensating for sieves (Vuc, Giddey, Coby) with 1-way defensive wings.

Tetlak · Post #104 » by **Tetlak** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 4:35 pm

burlydee wrote:My biggest problem with the trade is I thought they could get more for Lonzo. They probably think Okoro can be that multi position perimeter defender they hoped Terry could be.

Its very clear AK has an archetype for how he wants to build a team. Big point guard, dynamic wing scorer, multiple wing defenders, versatile 4, center that can act as a hub. Okoro fits the wing defender mold with Caruso, Terry, Green, etc.

But like the Caruso deal, people are going to wonder if they should have got more. Beyond the Memphis deal, I imagine there are other top teams like GS, Houston, Orlando who were interested in a guy like Lonzo. Is Okoro the best prospect available?

Was Okoro the best prospect available?

Probably no.

Was he a prospect who perfectly matched Lonzo's salary, contributed in areas we were bad at, and pushes Pat?

Yes to all the above.

Seems to make sense.

burlydee · Post #105 » by **burlydee** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 4:35 pm

drosestruts wrote:

Watch on YouTube

Billy has coached against Okoro probably 20 times in the last 4-5 years. I'm guessing this is a guy he likes.

waffle · Post #106 » by **waffle** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 4:36 pm

ah...I can see it....

LOVED Lonzo but....you know.... Does he play

Post #107 » by **DuckIII** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 4:36 pm

Tetlak wrote:Its really not a big deal. If Okoro pops, he pops. If he doesn't, you move on. There's probably a higher probability of this guy being decent (because he's closer to his prime and has shown defense and ok 3 point shooting for multiple seasons at the NBA level) than whatever late 1st rookie we select, who in all likelihood would suck. We need to be realistic about how the draft works. Half of each class busts; sometimes even more.

This also seems to me as a way to push Pat and to a lesser extent Noa.

Lots of overreactions.

I agree. I don’t think it was the best way to use Lonzo’s deal. But my preferred strategy would have either increased Lonzo’s value to some unknowable degree, or reduced it to a complete zero.

Much as I enjoy doing it, I can’t really criticize AK for this. And there’s even a future reality in which it proves to be a really nice move.

Almost Retired · Post #108 » by **Almost Retired** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 4:38 pm

rosenthall wrote:The particulars of this deal are mundane. What's exciting about this trade is that it looks like a precursor to a Pat trade.

I CERTAINLY HOPE SO.

WindyCityBorn · Post #109 » by **WindyCityBorn** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 4:39 pm

boozapalooza wrote:
WindyCityBorn wrote:
boozapalooza wrote:Does anyone like this trade or have a positive spin? Looking for any rationale to cling onto here. Such a lackluster return.

You seriously overrate Ball’s value.

You sure pal? Cause we turned down Smart and Memphis FRP (16th overall) at the deadline. Thats a better offer and was before he signed an extremely team friendly extension.

Like it or not, hes got a lot of value for a contender. Doesnt need to play 82. Just be healthy for the stretch run / playoffs

I don’t want Smart’s awful contract. You just proved my point.

Post #110 » by **HomoSapien** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 4:40 pm

NesimLE wrote:
HomoSapien wrote:Yuck. I'd rather have Lonzo for 30 games a year. Only thing I can say is Okoro was the former 5th pick so maybe this is a reclamation project? Definitely don't see how there is room for him and Pat.

Maybe they liked Okoro as well in the 2020 draft, so they bought on him when he was available. That's about all I've got though lol

One other positive spin is that it maybe paves the way for Jones to return?

WindyCityBorn · Post #111 » by **WindyCityBorn** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 4:40 pm

Almost Retired wrote:
rosenthall wrote:The particulars of this deal are mundane. What's exciting about this trade is that it looks like a precursor to a Pat trade.

I CERTAINLY HOPE SO.

I hope so too.

Lexluthor · Post #112 » by **Lexluthor** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 4:41 pm

How is this a bad deal for the bulls ? Lonzo can never stay healthy and his shot a terrible 3 point percentage last year

Red Larrivee · Post #113 » by **Red Larrivee** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 4:42 pm

burlydee wrote:My biggest problem with the trade is I thought they could get more for Lonzo. They probably think Okoro can be that multi position perimeter defender they hoped Terry could be.

Its very clear AK has an archetype for how he wants to build a team. Big point guard, dynamic wing scorer, multiple wing defenders, versatile 4, center that can act as a hub. Okoro fits the wing defender mold with Caruso, Terry, Green, etc.

But like the Caruso deal, people are going to wonder if they should have got more. Beyond the Memphis deal, I imagine there are other top teams like GS, Houston, Orlando who were interested in a guy like Lonzo. Is Okoro the best prospect available?

Keep in mind that the only reason we were offered a first at the deadline is to take on a worse contract. It's not because Lonzo had standalone value to justify it. There's really nothing that suggests he had a lot more value than this, though maybe they could've got some 2s?

I wouldn't have done this deal, but I think it's about in line with what Lonzo is right now. I think Duck's plan of hoping to rebuild his value is more interesting with that in mind.

NecessaryEvil · Post #114 » by **NecessaryEvil** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 4:42 pm

HomoSapien wrote:
NesimLE wrote:
HomoSapien wrote:Yuck. I'd rather have Lonzo for 30 games a year. Only thing I can say is Okoro was the former 5th pick so maybe this is a reclamation project? Definitely don't see how there is room for him and Pat.

Maybe they liked Okoro as well in the 2020 draft, so they bought on him when he was available. That's about all I've got though lol

One other positive spin is that it maybe paves the way for Jones to return?

Tre Jones will be a hell if a backup for Giddey going forward.

I’ll miss Zo but Okoro can lock down wings. I like what we’re doing in that department.

Almost Retired · Post #115 » by **Almost Retired** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 4:42 pm

sco wrote:I like the trade. Okoro is a very good wing defender that we can start as a 5th option guy between Giddey and Coby. I was looking at Ball playing that role but Ball's durability is a big problem. Lonzo may regain his form, but he was clearly bad last season at shooting 3's. FYI Okoro shoots 3's (low volume) at around 37%.

This gives us our wing defender and optimistically opens the door to bring Jones back to be our back-up PG. I also see addition through subtraction by Okoro taking all of Pat's and Terry's minutes.

But again, the move is not good if we don't bring Jones back.

If I remember correctly there were quite a few posters here who were high on Okoro the year he got drafted.

Jcool0 · Post #116 » by **Jcool0** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 4:45 pm

Read on Twitter

CROBulls · Post #117 » by **CROBulls** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 4:46 pm

Clown show. First you extended Lonzo when you shouldnt. Then for some magic dumb reason you turned 1st round pick down for him and now you traded him to get Okoro. Like free tickets to clown show. And we having them.

Dan Z · Post #118 » by **Dan Z** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 4:47 pm

AK couldn't even get one 2nd round pick for taking on the worst contract (out of the two) in this deal.

What an odd trade over all. I'd rather have Lonzo for the limited amount of games he'll play than Okoro.

2weekswithpay · Post #119 » by **2weekswithpay** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 4:50 pm

About what I expected for Lonzo. We weren't getting any draft assets without taking a bad contract in return. AK doesn't trade for future assets.

nomorezorro · Post #120 » by **nomorezorro** » Sat Jun 28, 2025 4:52 pm

AshyLarrysDiaper wrote:Okoro is a transition player, and this is a bet that he’ll look better in the #1 transition frequency offense than he did in the 18th (Cavs).

honestly this moved me from "don't like the trade but big picture, who cares" to "there could be a lil something there."

seems like there were some cleveland fans who were annoyed by them trying to force him into becoming a corner-standing 3-and-D guy and thought it was a square peg/round hole situation. think there is some actual upside here based on us asking him to fill a role more suited to his skills