Around The NBA : 2025-26

[HomoSapien]

No. No more throwing crap at the wall and hoping some chemistry develops. Get players who make sense and build a logical, cohesive roster that balances strengths and weaknesses.

From now on its player types for me, barring a true franchise player becoming available. Zero interest in Lauri anymore with where this roster looks to be headed.

Agreed. I think it's critical to have a big defensive presence up front, especially if Giddey and White could end up being our long-term backcourt. More than Lauri, I think Walker Kessler would make a great deal of sense here and is a big enough of an impact player that we would be a pretty solid playoff team next season in a weak east.

I'm not sure about the Bulls being a solid playoff team next year with Kessler, but going after him makes sense depending on the cost. What would you be willing to trade for him?

I would do up to two first round picks for him and whatever filler, including Ayo if need be. Or I would strongly consider White for Kessler + salary fillers.

[Dan Z]

Agreed. I think it's critical to have a big defensive presence up front, especially if Giddey and White could end up being our long-term backcourt. More than Lauri, I think Walker Kessler would make a great deal of sense here and is a big enough of an impact player that we would be a pretty solid playoff team next season in a weak east.

I'm not sure about the Bulls being a solid playoff team next year with Kessler, but going after him makes sense depending on the cost. What would you be willing to trade for him?

I would do up to two first round picks for him and whatever filler, including Ayo if need be. Or I would strongly consider White for Kessler + salary fillers.

I'm not sure if I'd give up that much for him, especially when you consider that he'll be up for a contract extension soon. But, like I said, I do think Kessler is a good idea.

Two picks...if it's next years pick and the Portland pick then I might do it. Ayo...that would be okay.

White I'm not sure about...I'd probably say no. Coby has his flaws, but the Bulls scoring would be lacking without him.

If the Bulls can't get Kessler is there another defensive center they should go after? Claxton? Someone else? Or should they just look for that player in the draft?

[sco]

Maybe he can be flipped for a 2nd and expiring contract?

I'm not sure how it would work and I'd only do it depending on the cost. Right now it seems like Markkanen's value isn't as high as it once was, so maybe AK could work out something decent for him.

Then again maybe Ainge has no interest in trading him or would ask for too much.

To be sure Ainge will be looking for 2-3 1sts in return for Lauri.

Lauri is a good player (although I don't think any more of him playing in Euro tourney's against g-league level talent in general), but he's a Zach-level #2 option guy who isn't a good defender, which is a bad fit with this roster. I look at him as a more expensive, better 3pt shooting version of Kuminga, which to be sure is better than Kuminga.

We need a #1 option guy, and we need to be stingy with our trade assets to save up for the right sort of guy.

I agree that the team needs to find it's franchise player, but how are they going to do that? Another #12 pick in the draft?

AK could offer next years pick plus the Portland pick, but I wouldn't offer any assets beyond that. If Ainge wants more then so be it. Also, this isn't a trade that I think will actually happen. I just think that Markkanen's value might be a little low right now and if the cost was right I'd be okay with AK asking about him.

My point is that we have our next several picks plus the Por pick that could be attached to expirings at the deadline or a bad contract in return next offseason that we could use for an elite player and spending a couple of those to get Lauri has a high opportunity cost.

[Dan Z]

To be sure Ainge will be looking for 2-3 1sts in return for Lauri.

Lauri is a good player (although I don't think any more of him playing in Euro tourney's against g-league level talent in general), but he's a Zach-level #2 option guy who isn't a good defender, which is a bad fit with this roster. I look at him as a more expensive, better 3pt shooting version of Kuminga, which to be sure is better than Kuminga.

We need a #1 option guy, and we need to be stingy with our trade assets to save up for the right sort of guy.

I agree that the team needs to find it's franchise player, but how are they going to do that? Another #12 pick in the draft?

AK could offer next years pick plus the Portland pick, but I wouldn't offer any assets beyond that. If Ainge wants more then so be it. Also, this isn't a trade that I think will actually happen. I just think that Markkanen's value might be a little low right now and if the cost was right I'd be okay with AK asking about him.

My point is that we have our next several picks plus the Por pick that could be attached to expirings at the deadline or a bad contract in return next offseason that we could use for an elite player and spending a couple of those to get Lauri has a high opportunity cost.

What elite player do you think will be available for a deal like that? In the near future I don't think any elite player will be (at least not one the Bulls should pursue).

[sco]

I agree that the team needs to find it's franchise player, but how are they going to do that? Another #12 pick in the draft?

AK could offer next years pick plus the Portland pick, but I wouldn't offer any assets beyond that. If Ainge wants more then so be it. Also, this isn't a trade that I think will actually happen. I just think that Markkanen's value might be a little low right now and if the cost was right I'd be okay with AK asking about him.

My point is that we have our next several picks plus the Por pick that could be attached to expirings at the deadline or a bad contract in return next offseason that we could use for an elite player and spending a couple of those to get Lauri has a high opportunity cost.

What elite player do you think will be available for a deal like that? In the near future I don't think any elite player will be (at least not one the Bulls should pursue).

That's the thing. There is one available almost every season, and it's rarely the guy people expect. Heck, Luca could want out of LA. IDK.

[Dan Z]

My point is that we have our next several picks plus the Por pick that could be attached to expirings at the deadline or a bad contract in return next offseason that we could use for an elite player and spending a couple of those to get Lauri has a high opportunity cost.

What elite player do you think will be available for a deal like that? In the near future I don't think any elite player will be (at least not one the Bulls should pursue).

That's the thing. There is one available almost every season, and it's rarely the guy people expect. Heck, Luca could want out of LA. IDK.

True, but I go down the list of NBA teams and don't see it.

If Luka wants out of LA I'd be surprised if he asked to go do Chicago. Any other star player?

Brown/Tatum, Jalen Brunson, Haliburton, Cunningham, Franz/Banchero, SGA/Jalen, Sengun/Thompson/Durant, Jokic, Ant, AD, Booker, and Wembanyama aren't going anywhere. If Mitchell leaves Cleveland he won't ask to go to Chicago.

If Giannis asks out he'll be too expensive and the Bucks can get better deals elsewhere. That leaves players such as Embiid, Gobert, LaMelo, Kawhi, Bam, Herro, Trae (who probably won't be available), and Barnes. Do you think the Bulls should pursue any of those players?

[HomoSapien]

I'm not sure about the Bulls being a solid playoff team next year with Kessler, but going after him makes sense depending on the cost. What would you be willing to trade for him?

I would do up to two first round picks for him and whatever filler, including Ayo if need be. Or I would strongly consider White for Kessler + salary fillers.

I'm not sure if I'd give up that much for him, especially when you consider that he'll be up for a contract extension soon. But, like I said, I do think Kessler is a good idea.

Two picks...if it's next years pick and the Portland pick then I might do it. Ayo...that would be okay.

White I'm not sure about...I'd probably say no. Coby has his flaws, but the Bulls scoring would be lacking without him.

If the Bulls can't get Kessler is there another defensive center they should go after? Claxton? Someone else? Or should they just look for that player in the draft?

Wembanyama.


But in all seriousess, I think Kessler is the 100% the guy. As soon as he's out of Utah, he'll be a future DPOY and 10x All-Defensive first team. I like Claxton, but I aslo think he's the type of guy you'd be constantly looking to upgrade.

If we can't trade for anyone, I am really curious to see how Smith does with starter minutes. We might already have a diamond in the rough on our roster here.

[HomoSapien]

I would do up to two first round picks for him and whatever filler, including Ayo if need be. Or I would strongly consider White for Kessler + salary fillers.

I'm not sure if I'd give up that much for him, especially when you consider that he'll be up for a contract extension soon. But, like I said, I do think Kessler is a good idea.

Two picks...if it's next years pick and the Portland pick then I might do it. Ayo...that would be okay.

White I'm not sure about...I'd probably say no. Coby has his flaws, but the Bulls scoring would be lacking without him.

If the Bulls can't get Kessler is there another defensive center they should go after? Claxton? Someone else? Or should they just look for that player in the draft?

Wembanyama.


But in all seriousess, I think Kessler is the 100% the guy. As soon as he's out of Utah, he'll be a future DPOY and 10x All-Defensive first team. I like Claxton, but I aslo think he's the type of guy you'd be constantly looking to upgrade.

If we can't trade for anyone, I am really curious to see how Smith does with starter minutes. We might already have a diamond in the rough on our roster here.

Clingan is another guy I'd keep an eye on. Portland is so damn high on Yang Hansen that they'll obviously prioritize him over Clingan if he shows enough promise. Us having control of their pick also leads to an obvious starting point for a trade offer.

[Hangtime84]

So far the guys who i thought were gonna sign the QO are about to non team success and score first guys.

[Dan Z]

The logic of paying a 22 year old who carried the team to 17-10 a max of $20M and not being afraid to lose him over that, while paying a 27 year old who led his team to 9-38 at $49.5M doesn't math out very well.

We have no idea how much Giddey will ultimately get for his next contract.

Markkanen has already signed his contract and I only suggest trading for him if the cost wasn't high. Also, your comment about Lauri leading that team is disingenuous. They were obviously tanking.

[sco]

I'm sad that Javonte is going to the Pistons. Woulda loved to get him if we waived Carter...if for no other reason that Billy could bench Matas in order to play him at PF.

[Hangtime84]

The logic of paying a 22 year old who carried the team to 17-10 a max of $20M and not being afraid to lose him over that, while paying a 27 year old who led his team to 9-38 at $49.5M doesn't math out very well.

We have no idea how much Giddey will ultimately get for his next contract.

Markkanen has already signed his contract and I only suggest trading for him if the cost wasn't high. Also, your comment about Lauri leading that team is disingenuous. They were obviously tanking.

He also had a crap year despite the tank.

[Jcool0]

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[Dan Z]

The logic of paying a 22 year old who carried the team to 17-10 a max of $20M and not being afraid to lose him over that, while paying a 27 year old who led his team to 9-38 at $49.5M doesn't math out very well.

We have no idea how much Giddey will ultimately get for his next contract.

Markkanen has already signed his contract and I only suggest trading for him if the cost wasn't high. Also, your comment about Lauri leading that team is disingenuous. They were obviously tanking.

He also had a crap year despite the tank.

Did you expect all-star stats for a tanking year?

[jnrjr79]

We have no idea how much Giddey will ultimately get for his next contract.

Markkanen has already signed his contract and I only suggest trading for him if the cost wasn't high. Also, your comment about Lauri leading that team is disingenuous. They were obviously tanking.

He also had a crap year despite the tank.

Did you expect all-star stats for a tanking year?

Yes? If Utah is tanking/rebuilding, you'd sort of expect them to let Lauri cook to maximize his trade value. His FG%, 3P%, rebounding, and scoring all went down fairly significantly last year. He played 1.7 fewer minutes per game than in his prior season, so I don't think it was just Utah benching him to protect the tank job.

[Dan Z]

He also had a crap year despite the tank.

Did you expect all-star stats for a tanking year?

Yes? If Utah is tanking/rebuilding, you'd sort of expect them to let Lauri cook to maximize his trade value. His FG%, 3P%, rebounding, and scoring all went down fairly significantly last year. He played 1.7 fewer minutes per game than in his prior season, so I don't think it was just Utah benching him to protect the tank job.

They didn't want to win, so why would they let him cook?

If I remember correctly when the Jazz played the Bulls they benched him for most of the 4th quarter. It wasn't because he was playing bad...it was because they didn't want to win.

Also, how motivating do you think a tank year would be for him? I'm not saying he should slack off (or that he did), but if the team doesn't want to win are you going to do things such as dive for a loose ball?

He also only played in 47 games last year. I haven't looked at it under a microscope, but I bet they milked any injuries that he had.

[jnrjr79]

Did you expect all-star stats for a tanking year?

Yes? If Utah is tanking/rebuilding, you'd sort of expect them to let Lauri cook to maximize his trade value. His FG%, 3P%, rebounding, and scoring all went down fairly significantly last year. He played 1.7 fewer minutes per game than in his prior season, so I don't think it was just Utah benching him to protect the tank job.

They didn't want to win, so why would they let him cook?

If I remember correctly when the Jazz played the Bulls they benched him for most of the 4th quarter. It wasn't because he was playing bad...it was because they didn't want to win.

Also, how motivating do you think a tank year would be for him? I'm not saying he should slack off (or that he did), but if the team doesn't want to win are you going to do things such as dive for a loose ball?

He also only played in 47 games last year. I haven't looked at it under a microscope, but I bet they milked any injuries that he had.

Benching him at the end of games doesn't explain his shooting falling off, nor does milking injuries. His minutes barely went down, too, so any benching was probably pretty selective.

Could he have been moping/phoning it in to some degree b/c he was unhappy being on a tanking team, sure. But he signed the contract and knew what he was doing.

[Dan Z]

Yes? If Utah is tanking/rebuilding, you'd sort of expect them to let Lauri cook to maximize his trade value. His FG%, 3P%, rebounding, and scoring all went down fairly significantly last year. He played 1.7 fewer minutes per game than in his prior season, so I don't think it was just Utah benching him to protect the tank job.

They didn't want to win, so why would they let him cook?

If I remember correctly when the Jazz played the Bulls they benched him for most of the 4th quarter. It wasn't because he was playing bad...it was because they didn't want to win.

Also, how motivating do you think a tank year would be for him? I'm not saying he should slack off (or that he did), but if the team doesn't want to win are you going to do things such as dive for a loose ball?

He also only played in 47 games last year. I haven't looked at it under a microscope, but I bet they milked any injuries that he had.

Benching him at the end of games doesn't explain his shooting falling off, nor does milking injuries. His minutes barely went down, too, so any benching was probably pretty selective.

Could he have been moping/phoning it in to some degree b/c he was unhappy being on a tanking team, sure. But he signed the contract and knew what he was doing.

Utah knew that part of the deal too (because they offered him that contract). I think there is probably a degree of Markkanen not being that motivated and it effected his efficiency. He's also the kind of player that works well with a point guard and in recent years the Jazz have often had rookies or 2nd year players at the position. In Markkanen's all-star year Mike Conley played 43 games for Utah (before trading him).

Markkanen isn't the kind of player who you give the ball to and can make things happen. He seems to work best within the flow of the game.

None of this really matters because I don't think AK will inquire about him. I was just saying that for the right cost I'd be okay with the Bulls acquiring him again. The key being "right cost". I've also said that his value might be a bit low now, which is one reason why I brought this up.

[jnrjr79]

They didn't want to win, so why would they let him cook?

If I remember correctly when the Jazz played the Bulls they benched him for most of the 4th quarter. It wasn't because he was playing bad...it was because they didn't want to win.

Also, how motivating do you think a tank year would be for him? I'm not saying he should slack off (or that he did), but if the team doesn't want to win are you going to do things such as dive for a loose ball?

He also only played in 47 games last year. I haven't looked at it under a microscope, but I bet they milked any injuries that he had.

Benching him at the end of games doesn't explain his shooting falling off, nor does milking injuries. His minutes barely went down, too, so any benching was probably pretty selective.

Could he have been moping/phoning it in to some degree b/c he was unhappy being on a tanking team, sure. But he signed the contract and knew what he was doing.

Utah knew that part of the deal too (because they offered him that contract). I think there is probably a degree of Markkanen not being that motivated and it effected his efficiency. He's also the kind of player that works well with a point guard and in recent years the Jazz have often had rookies or 2nd year players at the position. In Markkanen's all-star year Mike Conley played 43 games for Utah (before trading him).

Markkanen isn't the kind of player who you give the ball to and can make things happen. He seems to work best within the flow of the game.

None of this really matters because I don't think AK will inquire about him. I was just saying that for the right cost I'd be okay with the Bulls acquiring him again. The key being "right cost". I've also said that his value might be a bit low now, which is one reason why I brought this up.

Yeah, when you suggested he may have had a down year because the Jazz were tanking, I was assuming you were implying that they were stashing him on the bench and that's the reason his production went down. It seems you were saying that to some extent, and I disagree, but also saying he himself may have played worse due to unhappiness, etc. That part I do agree with.

[Dan Z]

Benching him at the end of games doesn't explain his shooting falling off, nor does milking injuries. His minutes barely went down, too, so any benching was probably pretty selective.

Could he have been moping/phoning it in to some degree b/c he was unhappy being on a tanking team, sure. But he signed the contract and knew what he was doing.

Utah knew that part of the deal too (because they offered him that contract). I think there is probably a degree of Markkanen not being that motivated and it effected his efficiency. He's also the kind of player that works well with a point guard and in recent years the Jazz have often had rookies or 2nd year players at the position. In Markkanen's all-star year Mike Conley played 43 games for Utah (before trading him).

Markkanen isn't the kind of player who you give the ball to and can make things happen. He seems to work best within the flow of the game.

None of this really matters because I don't think AK will inquire about him. I was just saying that for the right cost I'd be okay with the Bulls acquiring him again. The key being "right cost". I've also said that his value might be a bit low now, which is one reason why I brought this up.

Yeah, when you suggested he may have had a down year because the Jazz were tanking, I was assuming you were implying that they were stashing him on the bench and that's the reason his production went down. It seems you were saying that to some extent, and I disagree, but also saying he himself may have played worse due to unhappiness, etc. That part I do agree with.

I agree with you. I don't think his efficiency went down because of being benched. I think it has more to do with poor guard play and lack of motivation.

In order to get where he has with basketball you have to have a certain level of drive to do so, but I imagine that tanking every year isn't very motivating. Maybe he improves a bit this year? Or maybe not because it looks like Utah is going to tank again (they owe their pick to OKC, but it's protected 1-8).