Around The NBA

[MrFortune3]

I don't think there's a single Westbrook trade out there that I like for the team taking him. Houston doesn't even have the assets to make that interesting.

The Hornets will probably take him, though.

Hornets need a guy they can sell as the franchise player while also building around I would assume Wiseman.

Nah, they need a real franchise player and not a guy who isn't close to that who is also going to make 47 mil at age 34. For the first time in forever they actually have some interesting young talent. Just be patient. Top 3 pick this year. High lotto pick next year.

Wedtbrook isn't even going to sell tickets next year. It's a complete waste of money and time.

I agree on Westbrook but they lost Kemba and they need someone who can be tabbed as the man and then keep building up their young talent.

Westbrook provides them with a name and a guy who can put up stats.

[MGB8]

Honestly, I think that recent developments should lead to a Harden for Embiid type trade. Harden paired with Simmons (as a 4 and small ball 5) and the rest of the Sixers lineup would be a very dangerous team. Meanwhile, Westbrook plus Embiid would be interesting in the short term, and Embiid plus all those shooters plus Westbrook as an attacker would also be strong.

[cjbulls]

At this point, I think OKC has enough future FRPs to acquire Giannis, Harden and Beal. New superteam on the way.

They're not going to OKC.

OKC is going to rebuild through the draft.

They have 16 first round picks over the next six years. That is that more than the current roster allotment. And they aren’t going to be a team of all players on rookie contracts.

[Andi Obst]

At this point, I think OKC has enough future FRPs to acquire Giannis, Harden and Beal. New superteam on the way.

They're not going to OKC.

OKC is going to rebuild through the draft.

They have 16 first round picks over the next six years. That is that more than the current roster allotment. And they aren’t going to be a team of all players on rookie contracts.

Building through the draft doesn't mean they're going to use every single pick they have right now, of course that's not going to happen.

[othawhitemeat]

If he's truly available, we gotta go for him. Lauri + White + #4 + future 1st (s)? Then go find star #3 in FA.

Right now the Bulls are no position to acquire talents like Harden, nor do I want them to acquire a very expensive post 30 yr old ball dominant guard. Going for a guy like Paul is one thing but Harden....no.

1. I don’t see either the Bulls or Harden being interested in this.

2. If it happens, I won’t be able to watch games until he leaves the team. Unless he were to completely change his style of play, which he is clearly not the type to do.

I'm the same way. I would stop watching with certain players - Harden, Westbrick, Kyrie, Lebron are all those types for me. Harden on Nets is doomed to fail in my opinion.

[MrFortune3]

Honestly, I think that recent developments should lead to a Harden for Embiid type trade. Harden paired with Simmons (as a 4 and small ball 5) and the rest of the Sixers lineup would be a very dangerous team. Meanwhile, Westbrook plus Embiid would be interesting in the short term, and Embiid plus all those shooters plus Westbrook as an attacker would also be strong.

No chance of the Sixers trading Embiid unless he demands out.

[cjbulls]

They're not going to OKC.

OKC is going to rebuild through the draft.

They have 16 first round picks over the next six years. That is that more than the current roster allotment. And they aren’t going to be a team of all players on rookie contracts.

Building through the draft doesn't mean they're going to use every single pick they have right now, of course that's not going to happen.

I know I was just making a joke earlier.

In all seriousness, obtaining that many picks isn't as great as it seems. Look no further than Celtics who have multiple picks every year but don't make much of them. This year again they are trying to trade up by packaging picks because it's overwhelming. You can only make so much growth with all young guys. As hopefully the Bulls are learning.

[TheStig]

They have 16 first round picks over the next six years. That is that more than the current roster allotment. And they aren’t going to be a team of all players on rookie contracts.

Building through the draft doesn't mean they're going to use every single pick they have right now, of course that's not going to happen.

I know I was just making a joke earlier.

In all seriousness, obtaining that many picks isn't as great as it seems. Look no further than Celtics who have multiple picks every year but don't make much of them. This year again they are trying to trade up by packaging picks because it's overwhelming. You can only make so much growth with all young guys. As hopefully the Bulls are learning.

The Celtics lucked out into a #2 and #3 pick. That's what their core is built around. We don't know if any of the OKC picks will net a top pick. So far, they all are projected to be playoff teams. If you're getting a bunch of late 1sts, it's not worth much.

[PaKii94]

Hmmm maybe Rubio could be had for cheap?

[Michael Jackson]

Hmmm maybe Rubio could be had for cheap?

Like Sato cheap? I like Rubio, just don’t know what they would want for him.

[cjbulls]

Hmmm maybe Rubio could be had for cheap?

You know what Presti wants. FRPs!

In reality, tough to make it work with Rubio’s salary. Maybe they’d like hutch?

Hutch + Thad

Hutch + Sato + Felicio

[PaKii94]

Hmmm maybe Rubio could be had for cheap?

Like Sato cheap? I like Rubio, just don’t know what they would want for him.

Hmmm maybe Rubio could be had for cheap?

You know what Presti wants. FRPs!

In reality, tough to make it work with Rubio’s salary. Maybe they’d like hutch?

Hutch + Thad

Hutch + Sato + Felicio

I agree idk what the trade would look like. I do like Hutch though so I would need to do a deeper dive into Rubio to see if he's worth giving up on him. I also don't see us giving up FRPs.

Maybe something like 2 SRPs? This years and next + Thad + Sato (partial guarantees for next year to get Rubio off their payroll)

[cjbulls]

Hmmm maybe Rubio could be had for cheap?

Like Sato cheap? I like Rubio, just don’t know what they would want for him.

Hmmm maybe Rubio could be had for cheap?

You know what Presti wants. FRPs!

In reality, tough to make it work with Rubio’s salary. Maybe they’d like hutch?

Hutch + Thad

Hutch + Sato + Felicio

I agree idk what the trade would look like. I do like Hutch though so I would need to do a deeper dive into Rubio to see if he's worth giving up on him. I also don't see us giving up FRPs.

Maybe something like 2 SRPs? This years and next + Thad + Sato (partial guarantees for next year to get Rubio off their payroll)

I think they'd rather hang onto him and see if injuries force a contender to get a little crazy. Plus they already are stacked on FRPs, they probably wouldn't want SRPs.

We need something enticing but don't really have anything reasonably valued. I agree that I'd prefer to keep Hutch and would only have interest in Rubio if they don't draft a guard on Wednesday. Rubio would be a good vet for this team, prefer him over Sato at this point.

[PaKii94]

Like Sato cheap? I like Rubio, just don’t know what they would want for him.

You know what Presti wants. FRPs!

In reality, tough to make it work with Rubio’s salary. Maybe they’d like hutch?

Hutch + Thad

Hutch + Sato + Felicio

I agree idk what the trade would look like. I do like Hutch though so I would need to do a deeper dive into Rubio to see if he's worth giving up on him. I also don't see us giving up FRPs.

Maybe something like 2 SRPs? This years and next + Thad + Sato (partial guarantees for next year to get Rubio off their payroll)

I think they'd rather hang onto him and see if injuries force a contender to get a little crazy. Plus they already are stacked on FRPs, they probably wouldn't want SRPs.

We need something enticing but don't really have anything reasonably valued. I agree that I'd prefer to keep Hutch and would only have interest in Rubio if they don't draft a guard on Wednesday. Rubio would be a good vet for this team, prefer him over Sato at this point.

Yeah unfortunately we don't seem to be great trade partners for them. The other avenue I see is if there is actual fire behind the zach lavine trade rumors smoke. Then I could see some bigger 3 way deal happening but I can't even imagine what that would look like.

[Michael Jackson]

Draft night could be crazy with trades in an uncertain draft and bigger name players potentially on the move, plus an uncertain NBA. Could be more fun than an average draft (I mean last year was really no surprise or drama for the most part) so we may have that to look forward to.

[Repeat 3-peat]

Read on Twitter

[PaKii94]

Read on Twitter

Man lebron has started a really bad trend. Everyone trying to buddy up. I miss the rivalries

[jc23]

really if you get a superstar on your team you might as well just bank they will be gone in 5 years. Seems like as soon as there is a hint of rebuild they want out immediately. I understand but man its tough if you root for the team and not the player.

[MrSparkle]

It would be hilariously absurd if somehow BRK ended up with Harden and Westbrook, and they ran the OKC Big 3 back.

I will say, if they wanted to balance the salaries, they could make it happen.. atleast once LeVert's extension is officially on the cap.

[DASMACKDOWN]

really if you get a superstar on your team you might as well just bank they will be gone in 5 years. Seems like as soon as there is a hint of rebuild they want out immediately. I understand but man its tough if you root for the team and not the player.

It really is an unfortunate trend. It is good in some areas where it puts pressure on the franchise to keep striving to make the team better. But the players are not trying to grind for a title any more. In some ways you can blame Lebron, but I also blame the media as well.

Players see how people generally talk about Charles Barkley or Karl Malone and Stockton etc because they never won a title. Like they are some how less than because of it.

So now the trend is, if you are not on Finals door every year, find a way to trade yourself to another team that has a top player that has the best chance to win. Thats just where the NBA is at this point.

Teams really have to set themselves up for the next 3-5 years. Where everyone essentially just follows Lebron, someone else will take his place soon. Whether it be Luka or someone else.