gardenofsound wrote:I don't think the Bulls should be sending picks out for non all-NBA players. Our picks project to be too valuable for that.
Here are some of the things going through my head:
Approach Cleveland (Kevin Love) or Detroit (Blake Griffin) with a similar proposal:
Bulls out: OPJ, Lauri Markkanen
Bulls in: Love or Griffin, 2021 draft swap rights, 2022 top 4 protected, 2023 swap rights
(I know Detroit has already traded their 2021 pick, but it's 1-16 protected and let's be real, they aren't a playoff team yet, so they're going to keep the pick this year).
Why? Both are really bad contracts (Griffin is almost guaranteed to exercise his PO next season at close to $40mm, and Love has two years remaining after this year, with declining performance). The Bulls unlink their own record from their draft positioning for 2 out of the next three years, and, when healthy, the returning players slot into the starting lineup as decent options to continue the Bulls' push towards a winning mentality.
For Detroit or Cleveland, they're getting out of their bad money while also getting match rights on Lauri.
Bulls could also approach GSW with similar framework proposals for Draymond and/or Wiggins. Or even Philadelphia with Tobias Harris, who has even longer term big money.
Honestly, this lineup may be pretty strong to finish out the year...:
G1 White / Sato / Arcidiacono
G2 LaVine / Temple
SF Williams / Hutch
PF Love or Griffin / Thad
C Carter / Gafford
You upgrade rebounding (currently a deficiency), and, assuming Lauri's shooting thus far this season is an aberration, you're likely upgrading your shooting and playmaking as well. Both Love and Griffin are known for their court vision/awareness and outlet passing to kick off a break.
You are also assuming that Blake Griffin everything thus far this season is an aberration.
The Ringer just put out an article
https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/1/12/22226233/blake-griffin-untradable-detroit-pistonsabout how bad and untradable he has been. He isn't driving or earning FT's, has zero dunks or blocks all season, isn't rebounding, but is shooting a lot of 3s at bad percentage. Passing is the only thing where he is better than Lauri at the moment, but bringing in a former big name star long past their sell-by date would be a classic Bull move. Fortunately I have no reason to believe the new front office would do **** like this. Griffin per game stat line this season:
32 mins, 14pts, 5.7 rebs, 7 3PA at 29%, TS% 50, 4 ast, 1 steal.
And you think getting him for Otto and Lauri would make the Bulls better?
Love is a different issue because his floor-bound game is naturally aging better, but he is currently out with injury, and still I cannot see him making a meaningful difference. If Lauri isn't a PF for the modern NBA, then Love is a worse fit, and he isn't a rim protector as small ball 5 either, plus much less mobile on the perimeter.
You need a lot of faith into discovering a fountain of youth to believe either of these overpaid has-beens would "continue the push towards a winning mentality". Neither has been playing winning basketball for several years now. The only star-level thing about them is their salaries.