Infinity2152 wrote:jnrjr79 wrote:Infinity2152 wrote:
We will have to likely add 6-8 players next summer. I don't think bringing back 2-3 bench players would be considered using all their cap space to re-sign existing players, lmao! Bit of an exaggeration. Does it make more sense to sign an unfamiliar player at the same level for the same amount of money, rather than bringing Ayo back? Why? We have to fill out our bench with players.
Not to mention, regardless of the Bulls intentions, NOBODY knows what's happening with Coby's contract summer 2026. He's an unrestricted free agent whether we bring Ayo back or not.
I don't get this. They are both UFAs. Nobody knows what's happening with either.
The Bulls figure to have a lot of space next year (subject to whatever deals they may or not make this year). But free agency is no longer really the way to go get big players. I don't know if the Bulls will go big game hunting, but obviously signing both Coby and Ayo would really limit their flexibility to do so.
IMO, given that free agency is dicey these days, it's more likely that the Bulls try to package expirings for someone significant at the deadline this year and then whoever that acquisition is impedes their ability to sign Coby and Ayo. But if the Bulls can't swing that (and I"m pessimistic), I have no real opinion on what they'll do.
Exactly the point. Free agency is the worst way to add players usually. We currently have no big contracts. Giddey probably signs sub-$$30 mill and Williams at $18 mill is all we really have on the books. They could easily re-sign Coby, Ayo, and add a big name player. Assuming we're not maxing Coby. What are you thinking Coby's salary is going to be? Is Coby's salary likely to be MUCH more than Ayo's? I think so.
Hard to speculate on what Ayo is going to get. Ayo from last year might not get Tre Jone's contract. Find out if we can re-sign or extend guys that fit like Huerter, Ayo, keep Phillips, at value prices. They remain value pieces and trade bait we retain at better than free agency prices.
I'm a firm believer in trade pieces over cap space when you're big game hunting. Seems backwards to trade Ayo to pay Coby, when Coby's far more likely to overpaid. People crapping on getting Anfernee Simons for damn near free (Vucevic!!!!), Coby's basically the same guy.
My 10,000 foot view is the Bulls are probably lining up all this 2026 cap space to try to do something other than bring back Coby and Ayo. And they may chew into some of that space this year to the extent they make deadline moves. They should be operating from a place where they understand that if they have better moves to make, they may need to let one or both of Ayo and Coby walk if they have an opportunity to acquire more meaningful players. And it would be better to get some draft capital or whatever for them now if that end sup being the case.
I agree Coby is going to be paid a lot more than Ayo. That's why I'd rather move him. Ayo fits with Giddey better and the Bulls need perimeter defenders. Coby can really fill it up, but doesn't do much else.