Bulls vs. Lakers roster snapshot and preview: a look at future Bulls?
multiple storylines, with the Bulls playing well and LaVine's preferred destination in town
This is good meme-ing:
Indeed, while “the Bulls playing a lot better and being more enjoyable to watch” provides interest in tonight’s matchup against the Lakers, there is also the cloud overhead concerning that the Lakers are where LaVine wants to go, and seemingly they’re the only suitor.
So the Bulls are kind of screwed either way tonight when it comes to getting the Lakers to up their offer: either the Lakers look great and affirm they don’t need LaVine, or the Bulls look great and affirm they don’t need LaVine either.
Let’s take a look at this Lakers roster, a.k.a. a Zach trade return:
Injury Report: Anthony “day-to-” Davis is questionable. Also questionable is LeBron, which would be a huge deal except I think he’s always listed that way.
Gabe Vincent is probable to make his Lakers debut tonight, he’s been out all season with a knee issue.
The Bulls have a significant injury just announced yesterday: Torrey Craig will be out multiple months with a tear in his foot. That stinks, both on the court and for potential trade deadline moves as Craig would be a solid throw-in on a larger deal to a contender.
Caruso and Patrick Williams are probable.
Schedule factor: Same rest for both teams, with Lakers traveling from L.A. and the Bulls returning home from Philly.
Betting line: Bulls are +175 to win, implied final score: CHI 110, LAL 115
Game Time: 7 central. Come back tonight for the OPEN THREAD.
IDEA:
Rebrand the Bulls as "ReinsCorp" and pivot the company away from basketball and instead offer our customers "Zach As A Service" (ZaaS). It's like Software As A Service (SaaS) except instead of software we charge a monthly fee for Zach LaVine, which sadsack teams are able to rent. Then, they can bench him and immediately become a playoff-caliber team. I see no reason why this can't apply to franchises outside the NBA, in other sports, other countries and even whole other industries.
Example: Electric scooter company BIRD just filed for bankruptcy. They hire Zach As A Service, give him a C-Suite office and then immediately send him on a paid vacation. The company pulls out of its nose-dive and perhaps, after a few months as ZaaS customers, comes up with a new product that doesn't unify drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians in a homicidal fury. Perhaps even social movements and political policy groups in decline can enjoy the benefits of hiring and then not working with Zach and find a pleasant but inexplicable resurgence in their now-unpopular views? After a few weeks as ZaaS customers, the Johnson administration will say "Whoa guys, of COURSE we can't house migrants in tents in the middle of winter on a site polluted with toxic waste!" In another testimonial, Arizona Republicans will pause and then begin selecting normal people for high office, rather than body-painting lunatics wearing pelts and screaming about Nancy Pelosi, George Soros and ley lines. (Just some ideas I'm spitballing. ZaaS is perhaps limitless.)
How about LaVine/Caruso for Klay/Kuminga? Salaries match and get us a huge expiring + young player. Better than any Lakers trade! I think it improves Warriors title chances but they won’t do it for sentimental reasons.