Woj: "Bulls to be a factor in July"

[Red Larrivee]

Reinsdorf doesn't seem like the type to tolerate a full rebuild, especially not after the miserable post MJ years.

I thought this too. But, the White Sox are knees-deep into a rebuild and the Bulls just started one. So, someone clearly convinced him to go this route for both franchises. I don't see them abandoning it. Paxson has been adamant in interviews that he's going to see this the whole way through.

[kyrv]

Reinsdorf doesn't seem like the type to tolerate a full rebuild, especially not after the miserable post MJ years.

I thought this too. But, the White Sox are knees-deep into a rebuild and the Bulls just started one. So, someone clearly convinced him to go this route for both franchises. I don't see them abandoning it. Paxson has been adamant in interviews that he's going to see this the whole way through.

Just another thing that "JR will never do".

I do believe as you said he needed to be convinced, because he probably doesn't like to watch bad baseball/basketball or to lose kind of on purpose. But ya they'll never pay the luxury tax, they'll never draft a high schooler, they'll never draft someone from the Chicago area, etc.

[League Circles]

People are WAY overthinking this.

It's this simple. Unless you are actively trying to lose games, which I don't believe we are or should be next year, if you FIND YOURSELF having the opportunity to sign a really good player who is roughly no older than 30 years old or so for a "fair" market value deal, there is no reason not to.

[kyrv]

People are WAY overthinking this.

It's this simple. Unless you are actively trying to lose games, which I don't believe we are or should be next year, if you FIND YOURSELF having the opportunity to sign a really good player who is roughly no older than 30 years old or so for a "fair" market value deal, there is no reason not to.

Well, who did you have in mind? What really good players 30 and under are available (for fair market value no less)? Seems like a small list, if not an empty list?

[nitetrain8603]

I was listening to ESPN earlier on the ride home. Some guy on the Will Cain show was talking about rumblings that Durant’s people might encourage him to move on from GSW. His reasoning is that the chemistry between he and Curry has been a bit wonkier than what most people believe. Also said that Durant still really hasn’t accomplished what he truly set out to accomplish, which was to shake the bridesmaid stigma. Said that after a couple of rings, he might decide that he wants to improve his legacy by going to a large market and building a legacy as the undisputed alpha for a storied franchise. Mentioned LAL specifically but my thought is that Chicago could just as easily fit the bill and is in a much more generous East.

It wouldn't be a bad landing spot to be honest. He could run the east like LeBron and have a legit crack every year. I don't see him doing that this year, but after his next contract, I could see him leaving. Cain is a huge LA homer though.

Bulls will probably not bother if he did want to leave this year and go after the Marcus Smart's of the world. Might finally get JJ Redick so we can start another 10 year run of making the playoffs in the weak East.

[League Circles]

People are WAY overthinking this.

It's this simple. Unless you are actively trying to lose games, which I don't believe we are or should be next year, if you FIND YOURSELF having the opportunity to sign a really good player who is roughly no older than 30 years old or so for a "fair" market value deal, there is no reason not to.

Well, who did you have in mind? What really good players 30 and under are available (for fair market value no less)? Seems like a small list, if not an empty list?

Well you start from the obvious all stars like LBJ and Paul George and go from there. Doesn't matter until and unless we talk specifics, which the concerned people in this thread mostly aren't doing. Some of them are acting like the Bulls being "active" has to equal maxing out a worthless player, or something like that.

[nitetrain8603]

Didn't Pax say a month ago that majority of this roster will be set and they aren't going to be a player in free agency?

So right he lied or woj got a bad source.

Wouldn't be the first time Pax lied.

[Friend_Of_Haley]

People are WAY overthinking this.

It's this simple. Unless you are actively trying to lose games, which I don't believe we are or should be next year, if you FIND YOURSELF having the opportunity to sign a really good player who is roughly no older than 30 years old or so for a "fair" market value deal, there is no reason not to.

I think they should be maximizing their chances for 2-4 years down the road. If you can sign a guy who fits that, they should do so, even at the expense of draft position in 2019. On the other hand, you don't want to get a guy whose best production is gonna be the next year or two (or worse, the past year or two) and be overpaying in 2020/21.

[weneeda2guard]

Didn't Pax say a month ago that majority of this roster will be set and they aren't going to be a player in free agency?

So right he lied or woj got a bad source.

i think 1 thing that has been shown the past few years , is that garpax wont stick to a plan and can do a 180 and will go another route at the drop of a hat. they have said quite a few things the past few years they have went away from. so i dont rely on what they have said.

[ChettheJet]

Well Woj may think somebody wants to come here but until he starts naming names I'll have a tough time believing it.

That said I think someone like Durant or Lebron would look at the Bulls roster and think they could support them getting to the finals. Durant is on a great roster and he doesn't have to carry the team at any point, he has actually taken a step back on scoring from what he used to do. Lebron on the other hand even with the Heat had a couple of great players and a bunch of veteran filler doing one specific job other than staying out of his way.

If Durant came to the Bulls he'd have to score more than he does now, that's no hardship for him. Maybe I'm the only one to see it but Lebron could actually have an easier time with the Bulls than with CLE. He would only really have to play the 3 where he over powers most opponents. Markkanen can already score, he shoots the 3 and he'll get stronger as a rebounder. He would know where to spot up when Lebron drove to the basket. Lopez is the kind of center that doesn't need to have a lot of plays run for him, he can do pick and pop but he's fine working hard on the glass on both ends, is always in good position. LaVine can score, he can get his own shot, Dunn is a very good defender, can penetrate, shot well at times, runs the offense. The difference I see is the bench. It's not the single skill guys that Lebron has had, Portis can shoot and rebound, play defense, Valentine and Holiday are all around players. They aren't ball hogs, aren't prone to bonehead plays they're just solid players on both ends of the floor, neither Lebron or Durant would have to carry them, just let them adjust to what he's doing.

[weneeda2guard]

People are WAY overthinking this.

It's this simple. Unless you are actively trying to lose games, which I don't believe we are or should be next year, if you FIND YOURSELF having the opportunity to sign a really good player who is roughly no older than 30 years old or so for a "fair" market value deal, there is no reason not to.

thats where im at with it.

all the "nobody will sign here" is false, if a team has money, someone will come. its all about who is available. bulls can also find themselves in a unique situation, as 1 of a couple teams in a major sports city that can clear enough space to sign a max player, if they make a trade or stretch a deal etc.

so if we are not on the tanking plan, which i believe we are done with, then of course if lebron, or durant comes calling saying hey i would like to join the bulls and i think with your flexibility we can put together a title contending team, then of course, you switch a long term plan and open the door when opportunity is knocking.

or maybe paul george says he wants out the west, so the lakers is a no go, chicago is very close to indy, so its familiar territory, he does fit a need. if the deal is there, i wouldnt be totally upset with bringing him on.

i would only be pissed if cp3 comes calling and him and melo and wade starts trying to talk garpax into all of them landing in chicago to form the older version of the banana boat crew, blowing our cap on a team that would struggle to make it out the 1st rd.

if its not lebron or durant, dont take any calls. maybe you consider it if its paul george, if its not those guys, just hold the space til next year and see if you can pull off signing to max guys.

[weneeda2guard]

People are WAY overthinking this.

It's this simple. Unless you are actively trying to lose games, which I don't believe we are or should be next year, if you FIND YOURSELF having the opportunity to sign a really good player who is roughly no older than 30 years old or so for a "fair" market value deal, there is no reason not to.

I think they should be maximizing their chances for 2-4 years down the road. If you can sign a guy who fits that, they should do so, even at the expense of draft position in 2019. On the other hand, you don't want to get a guy whose best production is gonna be the next year or two (or worse, the past year or two) and be overpaying in 2020/21.

i dont think you can orchestrate your movements like that. the league is always moving, and you have to respond to what is in front of you. lets say you get caught up in the warriors dominance, say its useless to even try right now, so plan years down the line, so you pass on paul george, pass on another pretty good player ready to sign here, then curry suffer a acl, or klay decides to leave the warriors. now the warriors just became beatable and you cant take advantage of that opportunity because your too busy trying to plan 4 years from now. what if the guy you draft 7th has a early career suffering injury as rose did so in year 4 when your ready to "go all in" our 7th pick suffers a season ending injury? its why you have to be innovative and make the best decisions based on what is available. cant predict the future, all you know is the now. we were ready to go all in on a tank that only netted us the 7th pick. decent return but when you tank your hopes is for at least a top 3 pick. when that does not happen what do you do? you have to switch it up which is what it appears we are doing.

[weneeda2guard]

Im willing to max Capela and draft a wing at #7 and 22. Capela is a great fit with Lauri, is super young and can stay on the floor and help you beat the Cavs, Warriors and Rockets.

that would be a ben wallace signing all over again. pull him away from harden and d antoni system and it will exploit the fact he is very limited offensively which will hurt a team that needs a ton more than that from him. that lesson was learned from the magic when they signed bismack biyombo. you just cant hand money like that over to a guy that limited when our roster needs a lot more to be successful.

[musiqsoulchild]

I fully expect cap usage that delivers a playoff team next season.

That will seem like a mediocre off-season to a lot of folks around here.

[ATRAIN53]

Jack Cooley!
Bringing the GBS/ND native home. Pax loves his ND guys!!

I'll take a Fred VanVleet too. We could reunite the Wichita Lineman and get Ron Baker too, also a FA!

Need a WOJ pod to hear what angles he's thinking. He's usually in the ballpark so there must be some chatter about interest in specific guys he's hearing.

This is disturbing because this crop is trash outside Bron and KD who are not moving.
DMC is a big risk but one I think WAS should make, not us.

We know they liked Derrick Favors @ the deadline....

JJ Reddick too. JJ is gonna make bank, but he wants some guaranteed years from Philly. They should keep him, he was their vet. But we tried a few years ago to get him and he's still playing at a high level. GarPax could pry and overpay him still. Maybe to mentor Grayson Allen?

Could they be planning to go big on Jabari Parker, Jokic or Nurkic?
Julius Randle?

Wiggins, McCullom and DeRozan could be on the move too, but they are not FA.

This is why Zach is in good position to get paid here. He's young and talented and the pickins out there are slim......

[sco]

Im willing to max Capela and draft a wing at #7 and 22. Capela is a great fit with Lauri, is super young and can stay on the floor and help you beat the Cavs, Warriors and Rockets.

that would be a ben wallace signing all over again. pull him away from harden and d antoni system and it will exploit the fact he is very limited offensively which will hurt a team that needs a ton more than that from him. that lesson was learned from the magic when they signed bismack biyombo. you just cant hand money like that over to a guy that limited when our roster needs a lot more to be successful.

I'm not saying that maxing Capela is the best idea, but it's not terrible.

Comparing Capela to Wallace is useful but I don't think the Ben Wallace signing was so bad. The problem was that Wallace almost immediately started to physically decline (ironically back problems - subject de jour). Also the Wallace signing meant the departure of Chandler.

I actually think Capela could thrive here on both ends, but that all said, I'd rather go hard after Harrell who I think gives you more for less $.

[musiqsoulchild]

Jack Cooley!
Bringing the GBS/ND native home. Pax loves his ND guys!!

I'll take a Fred VanVleet too. We could reunite the Wichita Lineman and get Ron Baker too, also a FA!

Need a WOJ pod to hear what angles he's thinking. He's usually in the ballpark so there must be some chatter about interest in specific guys he's hearing.

This is disturbing because this crop is trash outside Bron and KD who are not moving.
DMC is a big risk but one I think WAS should make, not us.

We know they liked Derrick Favors @ the deadline....

JJ Reddick too. JJ is gonna make bank, but he wants some guaranteed years from Philly. They should keep him, he was their vet. But we tried a few years ago to get him and he's still playing at a high level. GarPax could pry and overpay him still. Maybe to mentor Grayson Allen?

Could they be planning to go big on Jabari Parker, Jokic or Nurkic?
Julius Randle?

Wiggins, McCullom and DeRozan could be on the move too, but they are not FA.

This is why Zach is in good position to get paid here. He's young and talented and the pickins out there are slim......

I'd be very pleased with a Reddick acquisition and letting Lavine walk.

And we then trade for Nic Batum sending Asik out.

Dunn / Payne
Reddick / Holiday
Batum / Valentine
Lauri / Portis
Lopez / Felicio

With #7 and #22 in the wings.

[Repeat 3-peat]

Jack Cooley!
Bringing the GBS/ND native home. Pax loves his ND guys!!

I'll take a Fred VanVleet too. We could reunite the Wichita Lineman and get Ron Baker too, also a FA!

Need a WOJ pod to hear what angles he's thinking. He's usually in the ballpark so there must be some chatter about interest in specific guys he's hearing.

This is disturbing because this crop is trash outside Bron and KD who are not moving.
DMC is a big risk but one I think WAS should make, not us.

We know they liked Derrick Favors @ the deadline....

JJ Reddick too. JJ is gonna make bank, but he wants some guaranteed years from Philly. They should keep him, he was their vet. But we tried a few years ago to get him and he's still playing at a high level. GarPax could pry and overpay him still. Maybe to mentor Grayson Allen?

Could they be planning to go big on Jabari Parker, Jokic or Nurkic?
Julius Randle?

Wiggins, McCullom and DeRozan could be on the move too, but they are not FA.

This is why Zach is in good position to get paid here. He's young and talented and the pickins out there are slim......

I'd be very pleased with a Reddick acquisition and letting Lavine walk.

And we then trade for Nic Batum sending Asik out.

Dunn / Payne
Reddick / Holiday
Batum / Valentine
Lauri / Portis
Lopez / Felicio

With #7 and #22 in the wings.

Have you seen Batum's contract?

HELL NO.

[ChiTownHero1992]

As long as it is for the right names i'm fine with using some money in FA. Just stay far and clear of Marcus Smart, Cousins, Noel, and even Capella (to an extent ie; NO MAX)!

[madvillian]

People are WAY overthinking this.

It's this simple. Unless you are actively trying to lose games, which I don't believe we are or should be next year, if you FIND YOURSELF having the opportunity to sign a really good player who is roughly no older than 30 years old or so for a "fair" market value deal, there is no reason not to.

This board is once bitten twice shy when it comes to FA and the Bulls. Sox fans are the same way. Woj is just spitballing here, he probably just looked at estimated cap space and saw Chicago as one of a handful of teams with enough to sign some guys.

Rebuilds are not static moments in time where you can make a quick yes/no but a fluid situation where things can change quickly. As you said, if the opportunity is there to accelerate things, you take it. GarPax don't have a great record in FA, that worries me, but nothing Woj said today is new info.