NBA Trade Thread #13

[Muzbar]

Scenario
Congratulations on a successful trade
Due to Chicago being under the cap and choosing to invoke the Cap Room rule, Chicago could not go over the cap by more than $100,000 of post-trade Team Salary, which did happen here.
Due to Utah being under the cap and choosing to invoke the Cap Room rule, Utah could not go over the cap by more than $100,000 of post-trade Team Salary, which did happen here.
This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Trade ID
Trade ID #8872986
Every trade made by fans is allocated a unique Trade ID which you can share with friends and fellow basketball fans to allow them to see your trade scenario.

Try Another Trade or visit our Trade Forum.
Chicago Bulls Trade Breakdown
Change in Team Outlook: 0.0 ppg, 0.0 rpg, and 0.0 apg.
Incoming Players
Lauri Markkanen
28 year old, 7-0, 240 lb SF from Arizona
No games yet played in 2025-2026
Outgoing Players
Nikola Vucevic
34 year old, 6-10, 260 lb PF from USC
No games yet played in 2025-2026
Patrick Williams
23 year old, 6-7, 215 lb G from Florida State
No games yet played in 2025-2026
Utah Jazz Trade Breakdown
Change in Team Outlook: 0.0 ppg, 0.0 rpg, and 0.0 apg.
Incoming Players
Nikola Vucevic
34 year old, 6-10, 260 lb PF from USC
No games yet played in 2025-2026
Patrick Williams
23 year old, 6-7, 215 lb G from Florida State
No games yet played in 2025-2026
Outgoing Players
Lauri Markkanen
28 year old, 7-0, 240 lb SF from Arizona
No games yet played in 2025-2026
C:Lauri Markkanen
PF:Matus Buzelis
SF:Noa Essungue
SG:Josh Giddy
PG:Cody White

That was really hard to read and decipher...

No to Lauri as the teams non rim protecting C and now Zach LaVine like contract.

[T_chandlerfan]

The contract is not that bad look at the new contracts like Devin Booker contract

[Muzbar]

The contract is not that bad look at the new contracts like Devin Booker contract

It's not that great either.

Devin Booker is on a different level than Lauri (although I do agree Bookers contract is ridiculous money).

[sco]

Scenario
Congratulations on a successful trade
Due to Chicago being under the cap and choosing to invoke the Cap Room rule, Chicago could not go over the cap by more than $100,000 of post-trade Team Salary, which did happen here.
Due to Utah being under the cap and choosing to invoke the Cap Room rule, Utah could not go over the cap by more than $100,000 of post-trade Team Salary, which did happen here.
This trade satisfies the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Trade ID
Trade ID #8872986
Every trade made by fans is allocated a unique Trade ID which you can share with friends and fellow basketball fans to allow them to see your trade scenario.

Try Another Trade or visit our Trade Forum.
Chicago Bulls Trade Breakdown
Change in Team Outlook: 0.0 ppg, 0.0 rpg, and 0.0 apg.
Incoming Players
Lauri Markkanen
28 year old, 7-0, 240 lb SF from Arizona
No games yet played in 2025-2026
Outgoing Players
Nikola Vucevic
34 year old, 6-10, 260 lb PF from USC
No games yet played in 2025-2026
Patrick Williams
23 year old, 6-7, 215 lb G from Florida State
No games yet played in 2025-2026
Utah Jazz Trade Breakdown
Change in Team Outlook: 0.0 ppg, 0.0 rpg, and 0.0 apg.
Incoming Players
Nikola Vucevic
34 year old, 6-10, 260 lb PF from USC
No games yet played in 2025-2026
Patrick Williams
23 year old, 6-7, 215 lb G from Florida State
No games yet played in 2025-2026
Outgoing Players
Lauri Markkanen
28 year old, 7-0, 240 lb SF from Arizona
No games yet played in 2025-2026
C:Lauri Markkanen
PF:Matus Buzelis
SF:Noa Essungue
SG:Josh Giddy
PG:Cody White

So Vuc + PWill for Lauri? I don't think Utah does that without us including at least 2 1sts. And somehow, I think the Bulls might actually be worse in this deal, which is hard with those 2 pieces of poop being flushed in it.

[T_chandlerfan]

Chicago Bulls Acquire:
Logo of the Chicago Bulls

From POR:
Derrick Jones Jr. · $9,720,900
From CLE:
2023 2nd round pick (DEN - #57) [Protected]*
2026 1st round pick (POR) [Protected]**
*Protected Details: CHI receives a protected 2022 2nd round pick from CLE, details are below:

2023: 31-46

Result: Pick transferred but CHI forfeited pick due to tampering
*Protected Result: Resolved
**Protected Details: CHI receives a protected 2022 1st round pick from POR, details are below:

2022: 1-14 (DID NOT transfer)
2023: 1-14 (DID NOT transfer)
2024: 1-14 (DID NOT transfer)
2025: 1-14 (DID NOT transfer)
2026: 1-14
2027: 1-14
2028: 1-14
If all years do not transfer, CHI will receive 2028 2nd round pick from POR.
**Protected Result: Pending
Cap Hit Sum: $9,720,900
Cap Hit Change: -$5,970,009 (-38%)
Trade
Cleveland Cavaliers Acquire:
Logo of the Cleveland Cavaliers

From CHI:
Lauri Markkanen · $15,690,909
Cap Hit Sum: $15,690,909
Cap Hit Change: +$5,000,000 (46.8%)


When we trade Lauri away we got a second round pick and one first that is protected. 1-14 which will probably turn into two number rd twos. I think cle to Utah was probably gave more in the deal. cle gave up the gave one pick 29 and still have the other pick protected. they did give some swap pick options. I think some where between the two trades would be ok like pick 1-14 protected and a second rounder.

[Ccwatercraft]

Hypothetically... could we have pulled off the Miles Turner signing via Stretch waive vuc, stretch waive carter or Terry? Was something like that financially possible for us?

[kodo]

Hypothetically... could we have pulled off the Miles Turner signing via Stretch waive vuc, stretch waive carter or Terry? Was something like that financially possible for us?

Don't think so, and you would have to decline any rights to Giddey as well as never resign Tre. And I think we'd still be short.

The fact that Collins/Huerter/Patrick are making $54M while all being roleplayers burdens our cap space as if we had a superstar player when we don't. People are very concerned with Giddey/White making $30M, while ignoring that we have 3 random guys not better than any replacement player in the NBA making $54M. That's the real issue with Bulls finances, not guys averaging triple doubles making $30M.

[MrSparkle]

Hypothetically... could we have pulled off the Miles Turner signing via Stretch waive vuc, stretch waive carter or Terry? Was something like that financially possible for us?

Don't think so, and you would have to decline any rights to Giddey as well as never resign Tre. And I think we'd still be short.

The fact that Collins/Huerter/Patrick are making $54M while all being roleplayers burdens our cap space as if we had a superstar player when we don't. People are very concerned with Giddey/White making $30M, while ignoring that we have 3 random guys not better than any replacement player in the NBA making $54M. That's the real issue with Bulls finances, not guys averaging triple doubles making $30M.

Yeah. And throw in Tre, Okoro, Jevon, Jalen… that’s another ~$36M on vet min replaceable guys (imo). I’d say the bar is slightly low if these are AK’s idea of “good.” They’re cheap and young with a little upside, but I don’t rate them well compared to similarly paid roleplayers like Nesmith, Dunn, DJJ, Trent Jr, etc. Look at Miami picking up Highwood and Davion Mitchell for free, seeing them outplay our guys in play-in.

The problem with the quantity budget contract model is the books fill up with 3rd string talent. Though I’m aware there are certain advantages here (trade filler, better base floor than a bunch of scrub GLeaguers). But… AK is gambling on their improvement.

[Guru]

It has been mentioned that AK wants both Giddey and White back after this year. If we assume they re-sign them both and are shopping everyone who has a contract that is expiring we would have a roster of

1 Giddey 6'8 69/70 14.6p 8.1r 7.2a 1.2s Jones 6'1 9/18 11.5p 3.2r 4.9a 1.1s (3)
2 White 6'5 73/74 20.4p 3.7r 4.5a (1) Okoro 6'5 22/55 6.1p 2.4r (2)
3 Buzelis 6'10 31/80 8.6p 3.5r (3) Phillips 6'8 5/79 4.6p 2.1r (2)
4 Essengue 6'10 (4) Williams 6'8 36/63 9p 3.8r 2a (4)
5 Smith 6'9 2/64 8.2p 5.6r (2) Olbrich 6'9

Tradeable pieces of Vuc, Huerter, Collins, Terry, Carter, Dosunmu

Is there a C you would want or you think we could get with those players/expirings and some 1sts that could fill out that starting lineup?

[sco]

It has been mentioned that AK wants both Giddey and White back after this year. If we assume they re-sign them both and are shopping everyone who has a contract that is expiring we would have a roster of

1 Giddey 6'8 69/70 14.6p 8.1r 7.2a 1.2s Jones 6'1 9/18 11.5p 3.2r 4.9a 1.1s (3)
2 White 6'5 73/74 20.4p 3.7r 4.5a (1) Okoro 6'5 22/55 6.1p 2.4r (2)
3 Buzelis 6'10 31/80 8.6p 3.5r (3) Phillips 6'8 5/79 4.6p 2.1r (2)
4 Essengue 6'10 (4) Williams 6'8 36/63 9p 3.8r 2a (4)
5 Smith 6'9 2/64 8.2p 5.6r (2) Olbrich 6'9

Tradeable pieces of Vuc, Huerter, Collins, Terry, Carter, Dosunmu

Is there a C you would want or you think we could get with those players/expirings and some 1sts that could fill out that starting lineup?

Guys like Robinson, Claxton, Gafford, Bitaze, would work, but honestly, I want Smith to get a decent look.

[Guru]

I know alot of people are out on Sabonis but does he make more sense next to a shot blocker at the 4?

Would the Kings even want to trade with us

[kodo]

I know alot of people are out on Sabonis but does he make more sense next to a shot blocker at the 4?

Would the Kings even want to trade with us

I wouldn't want to invest any serious resources into any player older than Giddey. Otherwise what was the point of trading Lavine, nobody we got back for him including Noa is any better than Lavine.

[Ccwatercraft]

I know alot of people are out on Sabonis but does he make more sense next to a shot blocker at the 4?

Would the Kings even want to trade with us

I wouldn't want to invest any serious resources into any player older than Giddey. Otherwise what was the point of trading Lavine, nobody we got back for him including Noa is any better than Lavine.

Age matters but Giddey age is pretty young

Sabonis is not the solution, but he's definitely an upgrade, it doesn't feel like we have anything else that sacremento would want.

[sco]

I know alot of people are out on Sabonis but does he make more sense next to a shot blocker at the 4?

Would the Kings even want to trade with us

I wouldn't want to invest any serious resources into any player older than Giddey. Otherwise what was the point of trading Lavine, nobody we got back for him including Noa is any better than Lavine.

Age matters but Giddey age is pretty young

Sabonis is not the solution, but he's definitely an upgrade, it doesn't feel like we have anything else that sacremento would want.

Sabonis would definitely be an AK-type move, but I can't imagine another "good player" coming and having a bigger negative impact. A guy who'd take the ball out of Giddey's hands and take shots from Matas, while being a non-defender. Yuck.

[Celts17Pride]

A lot of focus on Simons....Could he be flipped for Walter Kessler or Derrick Lively3?
Boston gets Vuc.....Utah gets Simons...Chicago gets Kessler....
Boston gets a rental with Vuc, Utah gets a guard, a sign and trade for Kessler and Chicago gets a young rim protector for going forward.

As a Celtics fan, I can tell you Vucevic is exactly the type of player the Celtics don't want for many reasons. The biggest reason is Vucevic might help the Celtics win games this season (which they don't necessarily want to do because of their draft pick) and the Celtics won't resign him. Celtics have the same problem with Simons. If they are forced to go with one, they will pick the younger Simons and give him a look.

You think Vucevic will help you win games? That's funny.

Vucevic over what the Celtics are going to throw out there on the court. Sure.

[Infinity2152]

Keeping Simons over Vucevic costs the Celtics what, an extra $20-$30 mill dollars in salary plus tax? Celtics are at the highest level of repeater tax. The moves they've made this summer appear to be cap clearing moves. That's outside the fact that the Celtics don't have a center now. You say they don't want to win games, they still have Jaylen Brown and Derrick White out there. Is tanking nearly as much a priority as clearing cap?

[nomorezorro]

grayson allen - kuminga - vucevic is theoretically workable as the foundation for a three-team trade

grayson is probably a longer-term contract than we'd like to take on, and also i hate him as a human, but it could be a buy-low opportunity on a guy you flip in a year or two if he has a bounceback season

[HomoSapien]

grayson allen - kuminga - vucevic is theoretically workable as the foundation for a three-team trade

grayson is probably a longer-term contract than we'd like to take on, and also i hate him as a human, but it could be a buy-low opportunity on a guy you flip in a year or two if he has a bounceback season

I also hate Allen the person, but kind of like Allen the player. I think he can impact any team. One issue, at least today, is that we have such a guard glut. If the goal is to rehab his trade value I don't see that easily happening here.

[nomorezorro]

yeah that crossed my mind too

i don't think it's going to happen but i just really don't want vucevic on this team when the season starts lol

[Muzbar]

It's crazy to me that any Bulls fan would even consider adding Grayson Allen to this roster.

I'd rather re-sign Vuc another 3 years than see Grayson Allen wear a Bulls jersey and I do NOT want Vuc on this team anymore.