Around The NBA : 2025-26

[sco]

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).

Wow...I could see the tank. On Lauri, IIRC, he was dealing with back issues last year, on top of the other stuff.

[DuckIII]

The team is limited in what they can do and since AK won't tank for a top 5 pick (in any year) then i think the Bulls should try to get better any way they can. The current team, plus Markkanen, is better than the current team without him, but like I said it depends on the cost. If Ainge wants a bunch of picks then no way.

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.

I'm not sure how much the Bulls can be picky and only pick specific player types.

Just don't trade for guys like Lauri who very clearly do not fit. Instead be patient and identify players who do. The Bulls should be in no hurry. Hurrying is what has been screwing us under AK.

I just don't know how much that will really matter if the team never finds it's franchise player.

Nothing matters without a franchise player. Its the only way to contend. As I said, barring us landing a clear franchise player, just keep focusing on the style of play and strengths and weaknesses we should be balancing. Lauri doesn't fit. The only thing he provides that makes sense is perimeter shooting as we can get that at a much smaller price tag. No more shelling out large contracts to players who don't blend into any sort of logically balanced roster.

[Dan Z]

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.

I'm not sure how much the Bulls can be picky and only pick specific player types.

Just don't trade for guys like Lauri who very clearly do not fit. Instead be patient and identify players who do. The Bulls should be in no hurry. Hurrying is what has been screwing us under AK.

I just don't know how much that will really matter if the team never finds it's franchise player.

Nothing matters without a franchise player. Its the only way to contend. As I said, barring us landing a clear franchise player, just keep focusing on the style of play and strengths and weaknesses we should be balancing. Lauri doesn't fit. The only thing he provides that makes sense is perimeter shooting as we can get that at a much smaller price tag. No more shelling out large contracts to players who don't blend into any sort of logically balanced roster.

That's fair and why I said that I'm in the minority in terms of inquiring about him. Like I said I'd only do it if the cost was right and I don't think AK even considers trading for him.

I get your point about finding players that "fit", but I think that's not easy to do and might not even be possible. For example, let's say the Bulls get the #12 pick again and there are two players they're looking at. One is a lesser talent but better fit. The other is a talent with higher upside. Who should they pick? I'd go with the higher upside because the Bulls aren't in a position where they'll contend (or even go far) with the right role players.

Same goes for free agency. The Bulls will only have so much to spend and have to pick out of the free agent pool each year. Will those players be the right fit? Maybe, but there's a chance they're not.

That's why I don't think it's easy to just mold a team to play however you want. You can have that in mind and take advantage if the opportunity arises, but have to be flexible because you have to deal with the stuff I mentioned above.

[sco]

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.

I'm not sure how much the Bulls can be picky and only pick specific player types.

Just don't trade for guys like Lauri who very clearly do not fit. Instead be patient and identify players who do. The Bulls should be in no hurry. Hurrying is what has been screwing us under AK.

I just don't know how much that will really matter if the team never finds it's franchise player.

Nothing matters without a franchise player. Its the only way to contend. As I said, barring us landing a clear franchise player, just keep focusing on the style of play and strengths and weaknesses we should be balancing. Lauri doesn't fit. The only thing he provides that makes sense is perimeter shooting as we can get that at a much smaller price tag. No more shelling out large contracts to players who don't blend into any sort of logically balanced roster.

Amen Duck!

Totally agree. Lauri can be a good #2 on a team with a good #1, but we have Coby. We have 2 shots at getting a franchise player...getting really lucky with Matas developing a lot more or trading for one (assuming one actually becomes available...but there always seems to be one out there and it's never who one expects).

[kodo]

I think Lauri makes sense for a team willing to spend to contend, like GS or Boston or LAC. We know GS wanted him badly last summer, even knowing what he wanted as a contract.

But for a team like Chicago that's averaged around 20th in the league in spending last 5 years, Lauri at $50M doesn't work. As people say, he needs to be a #1 in Chicago at that price. He needs to find a team where he can be a 2nd or 3rd guy. Too bad for him GS didn't work out, they're willing to spend and their system is perfect for him.

A lot like Caruso at $20M, Lauri falls into a wide category of players that can contribute to a good team but are too rich for Chicago's financials.

[pipfan]

I think Lauri makes sense for a team willing to spend to contend, like GS or Boston or LAC. We know GS wanted him badly last summer, even knowing what he wanted as a contract.

But for a team like Chicago that's averaged around 20th in the league in spending last 5 years, Lauri at $50M doesn't work. As people say, he needs to be a #1 in Chicago at that price. He needs to find a team where he can be a 2nd or 3rd guy. Too bad for him GS didn't work out, they're willing to spend and their system is perfect for him.

A lot like Caruso at $20M, Lauri falls into a wide category of players that can contribute to a good team but are too rich for Chicago's financials.

I think if we get Giddey for a good price (under $25 million) and we include Coby in the deal (3rd team), Lauri works as an expensive #2 option-and we get bigger. This especially works if PWill is involved, but even if he's not

CWhite to a 3rd team, assets to Jazz
Vuc, JCarter to Jazz along with Port pick
Lauri to Chi

Okoro/TJones/Ayo
Giddey/Ayo/Huerter
Matas/Huerter/PWill/Terry
Lauri/PWill/Noa/Phillips
JSmith/Collins/Noa

That's a huge, fast team that should be solid on D and score enough.

[sco]

I think Lauri makes sense for a team willing to spend to contend, like GS or Boston or LAC. We know GS wanted him badly last summer, even knowing what he wanted as a contract.

But for a team like Chicago that's averaged around 20th in the league in spending last 5 years, Lauri at $50M doesn't work. As people say, he needs to be a #1 in Chicago at that price. He needs to find a team where he can be a 2nd or 3rd guy. Too bad for him GS didn't work out, they're willing to spend and their system is perfect for him.

A lot like Caruso at $20M, Lauri falls into a wide category of players that can contribute to a good team but are too rich for Chicago's financials.

I think if we get Giddey for a good price (under $25 million) and we include Coby in the deal (3rd team), Lauri works as an expensive #2 option-and we get bigger. This especially works if PWill is involved, but even if he's not

CWhite to a 3rd team, assets to Jazz
Vuc, JCarter to Jazz along with Port pick
Lauri to Chi

Okoro/TJones/Ayo
Giddey/Ayo/Huerter
Matas/Huerter/PWill/Terry
Lauri/PWill/Noa/Phillips
JSmith/Collins/Noa

That's a huge, fast team that should be solid on D and score enough.

IDK, right now, I don't see much difference in terms of what they do/don't bring to this team between Lauri and Coby. Both can shoot/score, but neither defends well for his position. I think I'd rather keep Coby and Por pick...not that I'm not tempted by our deal — especially the part that rids us of Vuc/PWill.

[kodo]

Markkanen at the same roster cost as Vuc/PWill/Carter is a pretty big win though. Those 3 guys can be benched and I don't think it would affect our win total. We actually had a +10% win rate when Vuc couldn't play. For the cost of a POR pick that will probably just convey as 2nd rounders we'll sell?

But at that point it's not even Chicago trading for Lauri, it's that 3rd team that has something Ainge wants and we're just in between.

[DASMACKDOWN]

Does anyone think there is actual collusion going on with these teams with the low ball deals?

If you think Giddey at 20 was bad as a lowball offer. Cam Thomas being offered 2/28 is about as low down dirty as it gets.

[kodo]

He should just take the QO. The exec survey said he's worth $30M.
2 years at $14M = $28M
1 year at $6M + 1 year at $30M = $36M

Brooklyn really doesn't need him because they're not trying to remotely win.
Any team taking Egor Demin, Saraf, and Traore as their guard rotation isn't in a hurry to win for 4 years at least.

Next year's FA class that are actually obtainable are all Bulls players, he could be at the top of the class with Coby White.

[Ccwatercraft]

Does anyone think there is actual collusion going on with these teams with the low ball deals?

If you think Giddey at 20 was bad as a lowball offer. Cam Thomas being offered 2/28 is about as low down dirty as it gets.

Havent seen enough to be well informed on him, but Cam can definitely be a microwave scorer, but has room for improvement with efficiency, at 14 mil I'd love him as our 1st guard off the bench.

Rather than suspecting collusion I'm thinking just a victim of circumstance, bad time to be a ufa

[jnrjr79]

Does anyone think there is actual collusion going on with these teams with the low ball deals?

If you think Giddey at 20 was bad as a lowball offer. Cam Thomas being offered 2/28 is about as low down dirty as it gets.

No, I don't think there's any collusion. There just isn't any space on the market, so teams can play hardball.

[jnrjr79]

He should just take the QO. The exec survey said he's worth $30M.
2 years at $14M = $28M
1 year at $6M + 1 year at $30M = $36M

Brooklyn really doesn't need him because they're not trying to remotely win.
Any team taking Egor Demin, Saraf, and Traore as their guard rotation isn't in a hurry to win for 4 years at least.

Next year's FA class that are actually obtainable are all Bulls players, he could be at the top of the class with Coby White.

EDIT: delete - misunderstood this to be talking about Giddey when it's talking about Thomas.

[SalmonsSuperfan]

Does anyone think there is actual collusion going on with these teams with the low ball deals?

If you think Giddey at 20 was bad as a lowball offer. Cam Thomas being offered 2/28 is about as low down dirty as it gets.

I would think, more than collusion (which it may be), teams are beginning to realize these mid-tier guys are simply not worth the money. Or more specifically, worth the percentage of the salary cap that prevents them from signing other players and hamstrings their financial flexibility. Pat Williams is an extreme example, but these guys are just not worth spending money on and 90% of their on-court value is easily replaced for a fraction of the cost.

I feel like the most recent CBA threw contracts really out of wack. Vets are signing for the minimum and producing more than these "young players with potential". There is enough basketball talent in the world nowadays that a second round pick is probably a pretty good NBA player. Cam Thomas is not better than Coby White, why should he be paid 3-4 times more?

[Ccwatercraft]

Does anyone think there is actual collusion going on with these teams with the low ball deals?

If you think Giddey at 20 was bad as a lowball offer. Cam Thomas being offered 2/28 is about as low down dirty as it gets.

I would think, more than collusion (which it may be), teams are beginning to realize these mid-tier guys are simply not worth the money. Or more specifically, worth the percentage of the salary cap that prevents them from signing other players and hamstrings their financial flexibility. Pat Williams is an extreme example, but these guys are just not worth spending money on and 90% of their on-court value is easily replaced for a fraction of the cost.

I feel like the most recent CBA threw contracts really out of wack. Vets are signing for the minimum and producing more than these "young players with potential". There is enough basketball talent in the world nowadays that a second round pick is probably a pretty good NBA player. Cam Thomas is not better than Coby White, why should he be paid 3-4 times more?

The idea of the league becoming even more top heavy with max or near max players has been becoming a reality. The complications evolved with the apron penalties on top of the repeater tax. Obviously that tapered off this season with milw,boston,indy suffering severe serbcks, so we had 3 teams become tax avoiders primarily due to Injuries and some due to roster failure (suns).

And yes, the expansion of the quality of talent in the nba middle class has become a factor and ofncourse aging vets willing to take deals, along with some significant buyout guys moving around.

Frankly if we had just instead offered pwill a coby type deal of 11/12/13 million our roster/salary balance would be considered pretty solid. Not a championship team but not packed with crap contracts, one weak contract for a team.thats "average" with a self imposed hard cap is a serious setback. Other teams have their own problems but at least many of them offset it by having a franchise player that offsets roster weakness.

[Indomitable]

Does anyone think there is actual collusion going on with these teams with the low ball deals?

If you think Giddey at 20 was bad as a lowball offer. Cam Thomas being offered 2/28 is about as low down dirty as it gets.

Cam does not help you. None of these teams expect to be in the mix.

Teams go crazy when they are trying to win it all.

[PaKii94]

Lauri's going off in euro basket. 38 pts on 19 shots, 19 mins.....

[PaKii94]

Lauri vs Vuc today in euro basket. I think you guys can guess who's winning the matchup

[kodo]

Marko Simonovic sighting

[PaKii94]

Marko Simonovic sighting

The former Lauri replacement?