MrSparkle wrote:(Bulls fan, not trying to troll... but since my team sucks now, it's back to finding interest in other teams.)
I'm pretty devastated with the Minny trade. Personally I was really scared that we were gonna come out with Jackson (#3), Zeller and Smart after draft night... but somehow I'm convinced we did even worse with the Zach (ACL), Dunn (bust) and Lauri (Olynyk without the edge) package.
But I have to really question Ainge's moves, now that draft day has passed. I like what he was doing until then; how he got an extra pick out of PHI for Fultz, but I was sure it was for a star acquisition. Maybe he's 100% certain he's gonna sign Hayward, but I can't help but ask... what if Utah retains him?
Is the backup plan not pretty concerning? You can't trade good assets for Paul George knowing he's 100% intent on becoming a Laker next summer. Any other good player that might be available (Millsap, Gallinari, Ibaka) is gonna sign a deal worth way more than what Jimmy would've costed for 2 years ($19m). In fact, had you traded some salary out (like Zeller), you probably could've easily signed one of those guys in addition to Jimmy, and had a ridiculously stacked contend-now team.
I've said it before, but in trades, I can't think of a better player to target than Hassan Whiteside.
Lauri could actually be good, he's stronger than he looks and knows how to use his elbows to create room for himself under the basket. Amazingly quick release on his shot. Sharper edge than Olynyk. There are concerns, reasons he didn't go higher - but he's a sleeper pick. Watch more and read more of him and you could get cautiously optimistic.
Dunn and Lavine are major question marks, absolutely.
Turns out we put the 3 on the table at one point. My distant read is that you could've gotten more from us or Denver, we were just posturing about what we were willing to give up, but your FO got worried those were the best offers coming and settled for the Minny deal.
And yeah, I'd be happy with very conservative plays for us - absorb Vucevic into the cap, maybe sign a free agent big like JaMychal Green - renegotiate/extend IT at a discount to get him some security, like 2-3 more years at 18-20 million.























