The Bulls should go all in for Zion

[drosestruts]

We know everyone has their concerns about Zion being an 82-game player

Does anyone doubt his ability to be a "16-game player"?

Thus far, he has ended all six seasons of his career injured. Maybe 1-2 of those he could have played if he had to? But yeah, you should very much doubt that.

The injury risks are real and valid.

Zion to me was always an "if the price is right" option.

The concerns raised by you and others probably has me lowering my walk away price, but I'd still pursue it.

Before I felt like I would have happily sent a package of Coby, 2025 pick, PDX pick and expiring contracts for Zion.

My willingness to even go that high has since been hampered.

Maybe Coby, Williams, Vuc, 2025 pick for Zion and Olynyk

[dougthonus]

The injury risks are real and valid.

Zion to me was always an "if the price is right" option.

The concerns raised by you and others probably has me lowering my walk away price, but I'd still pursue it.

Before I felt like I would have happily sent a package of Coby, 2025 pick, PDX pick and expiring contracts for Zion.

My willingness to even go that high has since been hampered.

Maybe Coby, Williams, Vuc, 2025 pick for Zion and Olynyk

I would do either of those trades FWIW, and I know I've posted a lot of things about Zion's health, but they have mainly been just in response to people whom I feel are being too rosy about it.

I'm not trying to say this can't work or we shouldn't even look at it. There is risk in trading for Zion, but we aren't on a path to anything now. I'm okay if the assets are the Portland pick, our 2025 pick, and Coby because I don't think Coby will excite me on his next contract and I don't expect all that much from either of those picks (assuming of course we do not move up, which we will know prior to looking at a deal).

Even better to me if the offer was Giddey in a S&T for Zion, but probably too complicated to figure that out.

[Mr. Tibbs]

Just do it. Even when it fails, I'll use this board as therapy when we miss out on my favorite yearly event, losing in the play-in.

[Dez]

Zion's contract is one the most protected contracts in the league, it's not as bad as people are suggesting.

If you can get him for Coby and filler you do it, now obviously no team would take that.

[sco]

Zion's contract is one the most protected contracts in the league, it's not as bad as people are suggesting.

If you can get him for Coby and filler you do it, now obviously no team would take that.

Good points. I think you try for Coby plus our 1st (plus filler) on draft night...I'd add POR 1st if needed. That leaves us with enough in the tank to try again in a couple years if it fails, but also keeps enough talent to strike if it works out.

[Andi Obst]

I'd love to dump Pat in a deal for Zion, but starting a trade with negative value is probably a bad idea. Now if the Pels still somehow see potential in Pat and view him as neutral value or better then you definitely go for it IMO.

[prolific passer]

I'd love to dump Pat in a deal for Zion, but starting a trade with negative value is probably a bad idea. Now if the Pels still somehow see potential in Pat and view him as neutral value or better then you definitely go for it IMO.

Probably will depend on where the pels fall in the draft. They pretty much have trey Murphy who can play either forward spot.

[MissileMike]

I didn't realize Zion is still very young- he and Dillon Gabriel are the same age.

[Dez]

I'd love to dump Pat in a deal for Zion, but starting a trade with negative value is probably a bad idea. Now if the Pels still somehow see potential in Pat and view him as neutral value or better then you definitely go for it IMO.

Probably will depend on where the pels fall in the draft. They pretty much have trey Murphy who can play either forward spot.

And not be ass unlike Williams.

[prolific passer]

I'd love to dump Pat in a deal for Zion, but starting a trade with negative value is probably a bad idea. Now if the Pels still somehow see potential in Pat and view him as neutral value or better then you definitely go for it IMO.

Probably will depend on where the pels fall in the draft. They pretty much have trey Murphy who can play either forward spot.

And not be ass unlike Williams.

That is true.

[jacoby1us]

Zion would still outperform the Bulls Pat Williams while only playing 50% of the season, why not try? Dismissing him for injuries can't be an issue in Chicago as the Bulls resigned Pat Williams and he has significantly regressed since his rookie campaign even while being healthy.

[jnrjr79]

Zion would still outperform the Bulls Pat Williams while only playing 50% of the season, why not try? Dismissing him for injuries can't be an issue in Chicago as the Bulls resigned Pat Williams and he has significantly regressed since his rookie campaign even while being healthy.

"The Bulls made a dumb signing, so they should do it again" is not very persuasive IMO. And Zion is your franchise centerpiece if you trade for him, so his availability is a lot more important than Pat's.

[Bulliever2020]

Zion would still outperform the Bulls Pat Williams while only playing 50% of the season, why not try? Dismissing him for injuries can't be an issue in Chicago as the Bulls resigned Pat Williams and he has significantly regressed since his rookie campaign even while being healthy.

"The Bulls made a dumb signing, so they should do it again" is not very persuasive IMO. And Zion is your franchise centerpiece if you trade for him, so his availability is a lot more important than Pat's.

These are the sad overtones that have permeated all these discussions.
Basically the argument is we can't be any more hopeless than we currently are so why not.
Depressing as hell to say the least.

[jacoby1us]

Zion would still outperform the Bulls Pat Williams while only playing 50% of the season, why not try? Dismissing him for injuries can't be an issue in Chicago as the Bulls resigned Pat Williams and he has significantly regressed since his rookie campaign even while being healthy.

"The Bulls made a dumb signing, so they should do it again" is not very persuasive IMO. And Zion is your franchise centerpiece if you trade for him, so his availability is a lot more important than Pat's.

These are the sad overtones that have permeated all these discussions.
Basically the argument is we can't be any more hopeless than we currently are so why not.
Depressing as hell to say the least.

Depressing as hell is unfortunately an UNDERSTATEMENT as a loyal Bulls fan for 35+ years.

[pipfan]

Would you deal for Lauri or Zion, if the deal was the same?
Vuc/PWill/#12/Port pick/2027 1st top 4 protected (then a 2nd, no rollover)

I like Lauri more-I think he’d be PERFECT for us
White/Ayo
Giddey/Ball
Matas/Huerter
Zion or Lauri/Phillips
Collins/Smith
JCarter to Utah if that’s the deal, to balance the $
Terry 11th man
That team could sneak into the 2nd round, and have potential for growth

[sco]

Would you deal for Lauri or Zion, if the deal was the same?
Vuc/PWill/#12/Port pick/2027 1st top 4 protected (then a 2nd, no rollover)

I like Lauri more-I think he’d be PERFECT for us
White/Ayo
Giddey/Ball
Matas/Huerter
Zion or Lauri/Phillips
Collins/Smith
JCarter to Utah if that’s the deal, to balance the $
Terry 11th man
That team could sneak into the 2nd round, and have potential for growth

The Lauri Zion question is a good one. At the same price, probably Lauri, but I think a big part of the premise is getting Zion at a better price. Lauri is no iron man either though...his issue might be more chronic, but Zion has other issues/risks.

[Ice Man]

I am not buying the almost universal belief among fans of meh-to-bad NBA teams that 1) yes of course NO should move Zion, they will be better off for doing so, and 2) man, I hope that my team gets Zion, because we will be better off for doing so. I mean, I'm not Aristotle, but I do sense a logical problem.

[Dez]

Would you deal for Lauri or Zion, if the deal was the same?
Vuc/PWill/#12/Port pick/2027 1st top 4 protected (then a 2nd, no rollover)

I like Lauri more-I think he’d be PERFECT for us
White/Ayo
Giddey/Ball
Matas/Huerter
Zion or Lauri/Phillips
Collins/Smith
JCarter to Utah if that’s the deal, to balance the $
Terry 11th man
That team could sneak into the 2nd round, and have potential for growth

Lauri is being paid nearly 50 million.

F*** no.

[Dez]

Zion would still outperform the Bulls Pat Williams while only playing 50% of the season, why not try? Dismissing him for injuries can't be an issue in Chicago as the Bulls resigned Pat Williams and he has significantly regressed since his rookie campaign even while being healthy.

"The Bulls made a dumb signing, so they should do it again" is not very persuasive IMO. And Zion is your franchise centerpiece if you trade for him, so his availability is a lot more important than Pat's.

Zion's contract is heavily protected, there's outs for whatever team trades for him.

[jnrjr79]

Zion would still outperform the Bulls Pat Williams while only playing 50% of the season, why not try? Dismissing him for injuries can't be an issue in Chicago as the Bulls resigned Pat Williams and he has significantly regressed since his rookie campaign even while being healthy.

"The Bulls made a dumb signing, so they should do it again" is not very persuasive IMO. And Zion is your franchise centerpiece if you trade for him, so his availability is a lot more important than Pat's.

Zion's contract is heavily protected, there's outs for whatever team trades for him.

I’m well aware, and if you read the thread, you’d see I’ve noted that repeatedly as a reason I might take a swing on him. it doesn’t mean the Pat Williams extension provides any rationale to be sanguine about the injury concerns, though.