92 Comments
User's avatar
D Z's avatar

are we sure play in is still not the plan?

your friendly BullsBlogger's avatar

if they deal assets for a new middling center, I take everything back

Mikeizbak's avatar

rush for the comments !!!

your friendly BullsBlogger's avatar

Vuc trade is not official yet, so it is definitely in play that AK is waiting to send Simons+Collins+Picks for Domantas Sabonis

John Miller's avatar

Like both trades very much. It's a shame that Simons doesn't have more years on his contract. Simons is a legitimate scorer as opposed to White and Dosunmu. Obviously, the Bulls need size. In the off season, the Bulls will have a lot of open cap space to sign a few interior players. Maybe the Bulls can make another trade or two before the trade deadline Thursday. Personally, I wish that the Bulls could retain Dosunmu.

Stay Chisel's avatar

The grade on the moves so far is "Incomplete" (although if this is it, the grade is a C-). Part of me hopes that this is it and we run a 5 guard lineup a la Don Nelson and lose as many games as possible. A true tank is off the table because the Bulls have too many wins already, but we just need to miss the play in to have a real chance at a top 4 pick. Charlotte can catch the Bulls. Even in the awful East, it's tough to win with Jaden Smith, that Australian guy and Pat as your center rotation. I'd give Yuki 30 minutes a night and just let him cook with the new guys.

your friendly BullsBlogger's avatar

right there's no tank to be had. Right now they are 13th slot with 4.8% of top-4 pick.

there are 7 teams that they will not catch because they're more committed (and already 'ahead') Kings, Pelicans, Pacers, Nets, Wizards, Jazz, Grizzlies. 8th slot has 23.5% odds, it's not really that significant but, like these trades, it's not nothing

I expect without centers that Hornets, Clippers, Blazers will pass them. Then there's Dallas and Milwaukee that are more wild cards, but likely already too far 'behind' the Bulls

John Miller's avatar

It's embarrassing seeing Yuki playing for the Bulls. Yuki isn't an NBA player. Looks like a freak show. Yuki won't be able to guard anyone.

Stay Chisel's avatar

[Yuki/Coby/Simons/Giddey/Ivey/PWill/Olbrich] won't be able to guard anyone.

He's in good company!

Waveland14's avatar

Here's my argument: Vuc is not that good, and they could get some playable bigs in the next couple of days, Billy will Thibs it up, and the East is still dogshit…they could still make some bogus push.

Okay maybe those would not be my EXACT words and I'm still in agreement with most of this post (I really liked these moves). But I think putting together a squad that will compete for the play-in is still on everyone's minds in the Bulls FO. Miami in 2023 and Dallas in 2025 proved that the play-in can be a path to either the NBA Finals or the #1 pick in the draft. I'm not advocating for that strategy, but it is kind of the most Reinsdorfian move ever to string your fans along with hope, but concoct a string that can pull in two different hopeful directions.

I think the only move I could see in the next 24 hours or so that would really convince me things are different is if we went all-in on getting a star to try and build around -- kind of a Vuc trade 2.0. The concept/strategy behind the Vuc trade was actually very sound, in that teams win with stars, and it takes stars to attract other stars. It's just that we overpaid for a guy who was a low-grade star who'd reached his ceiling and had no chance of being a superstar (but a good chance of declining).

And after that move slowly crashed and burned (because somehow there was only one human being on earth who could be the magical ingredient to make the formula work, and he got injured), AKME was spooked and never played that card again. "We can't skip steps" is the exact quote.

I'm not sure I want Zion, or Giannis, or anyone else out there who's been talked about (or who hasn't) to be our new star, but unless we go for one of those types of guys or totally tear things down (no chance), then all I see is a slightly more effortful and semi-competent "more of the same". Some big move like that might actually be afoot. It's gonna be interesting, and if we can't get success as fans we might as well get "interesting".

your friendly BullsBlogger's avatar

I agree these would be more convincing, in order:

1) trade for a star now

2) trade one of your better players AND take long-term salary to get good first round picks

3) more middling trades like this where you get lower assets

The Vuc and Huerter trade at least means they are doing #3 and not letting the play-in push keep them from doing it

Waveland14's avatar

This is true. And when I think about it, #2 might be more convincing than #1 in that we've seen the Bulls and this front office try the "trade for a star" move before.

But #2. Have the Bulls ever done this, in franchise history? I'm seriously asking and honestly just went to ChatGPT to check if we've ever been the "salary taker" in a significant way. The Zach trade last year where we only got the 1st by taking Huerter and Collins was probably as close as the Bulls have ever come, in franchise history? Or am I missing something. I mean I know we've taken on a couple of not-great contracts (Otto Porter Jr.?) but never to get 1sts and usually because we thought we'd get something out of that player. Correct me if I'm wrong -- please (I do actually prefer to be wrong).

your friendly BullsBlogger's avatar

no you are correct, AK has never done this and has all but said he doesn't value that kind of transaction. The LaVine trade was close, but the pick was their own and fit into AK's vision of play-in pursuit.

ironically, they have shown they can do well with these cast-offs!

Waveland14's avatar

Did any Bulls GM in the salary cap era (which overlaps precisely with the Reinsdorf era) ever do this? I don't remember Krause, or Pax, or Gar, ever making a trade like this. Obviously it's been even more critical to get out from under bad money since the institution of the luxury tax, so this type of trade is more of a modern invention. But I feel like that's one of the red lines that the Reinsdorfs will not let their GMs cross (or they philosophically pick GMs who won't take that approach, but that's basically the same thing).

your friendly BullsBlogger's avatar

they traded for and bought out Tim Thomas TWICE

Waveland14's avatar

Interesting example. I just Googled and the first article that came up was the Feb 2009 trade. Almost fell on the floor laughing at the first line of analysis: "He is expected to give the Bulls a boost in their bid to secure a spot in the postseason. " Now, that was the year the Bulls had that legendary 1st round series against the Celts, and they were a young and truly ascendant team (the Vinny era!), so I guess things were different but the talking points always feel the same.

I'm not sure either of those moves technically qualify for what I'm asking about though. That 2nd trade I mentioned was also about dumping high-salaried Larry Hughes. The first one was the Eddy Curry S&T deal which was positioned as "The Knicks are paying us a 1st and a pick swap for Eddy and sending matching salary back" at the time, but I don't think there was as much blogging/reporting about whether the Knicks were also paying us to take Thomas's contract. Perhaps that did sweeten our deal.

Michael Tulig's avatar

How could AKME be so stupid for the last few years and so smart now? Give credit where credit is due. Ayo's and Ivey's (maybe with a team option) contracts should be extended. Trade Simons, Conley, White and Williams; get some bigs now. We're trading like it's 2021.

your friendly BullsBlogger's avatar

Ivey cannot be extended now, he is hitting free agency. Ayo can, up to the MLE.

Michael Tulig's avatar

OK, Ivey will be an RFA. Make the qualifying offer and then re-sign him or make a great sign-and-trade. I'm out of breath.

Michael Tulig's avatar

The NY Times reported that Ayo's projected market value for his next deal is aligned with the 2026-27 projected nontaxpayer MLE of approximately $15.1 million. Do it.

Brent_LZ's avatar

The core of AK's stupidity is still intact -- his timing on assets moved and acquired is still atrocious -- but his delusion around the potential of this roster seems to have broken a little so... Progress!

Michael Tulig's avatar

Too many trades are just running in place. Others are steps in a tank. The last couple years' are transformative. I'm keeping my powder dry until after this offseason.

TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsJB's avatar

Based on the reports I’ve read, here’s my guess on what’s happening with Coby:

The Rockets are the most interested team, but a trade hasn’t happened yet because the Bulls want Eason and the Rockets don’t want to trade him. Houston’s offer is probably two seconds and the Bulls are countering with one second and Eason.

Captain Kirk's Tooth Gap's avatar

Yeah, based on what I've seen, Houston is trying to send us Finney-Smith and picks for Coby. Finney-Smith's contract looks quite bad, so they're going to need to attach a lot of draft assets if they want Coby.

your friendly BullsBlogger's avatar

DFS is one more year at $13M, the rest are fully non-guaranteed. So it's not awful but would cut into cap space. Though if you're getting Eason too then Bulls are telegraphing how they're spending the cap space anyway.

Captain Kirk's Tooth Gap's avatar

If the Bulls are getting DFS, they're not getting Eason. It sounds like Houston is going to do everything they can to keep Eason.

I didn't realize the last two years of DFS's contract weren't fully guaranteed, which is definitely nice. What kind of draft capital do you think the Bulls would need to get back to make a Coby-for-DFS trade acceptable?

your friendly BullsBlogger's avatar

you're right, all reports are that Eason is off limits

your friendly BullsBlogger's avatar

as far as Rockets picks...

they don't have a 2026 pick but own all the rest

also a 2027 PHX unprotected

they should be pretty good for the next few years, and I don't think they'll offer a far-outgoing first or those PHX or BKN picks/swaps. So likely it'd be their own slot in 2027-2029?

That's better than Joan Beringer. But I'd also just hang on to Coby if they know they can re-sign him at <$25M

Stay Chisel's avatar

RFAs: gotta catch em all.

your friendly BullsBlogger's avatar

I would hope there is a bidding war for Coby, and that these contenders are going to pivot there after Giannis is resolved.

Like the Wolves could still do Dillingham+Beringer+minimum for Coby. I don't consider that much of an offer though.

SweetBeezus's avatar

Maybe my expectations are too low, but I'd be pretty stoked about getting Dillingham and Beringer for an expiring Coby.

Waveland14's avatar

I mentioned this on a previous thread but whether it's an all-out "war", there are definitely a few teams who want Coby, but some of those same teams may have their sights set higher. Hopefully there are some contingencies already in place so that if the Giannis trade goes down to the wire we can quickly pull the trigger with whomever got shut out.

Stay Chisel's avatar

Narrator: There was no bidding war.

your friendly BullsBlogger's avatar

lmao, apparently not

John Miller's avatar

Would be great if the Bulls could somehow receive Eason in a trade with Houston. Eason is exactly the type of player that the Bulls are lacking. Eason has size, athleticism and toughness.

Michael Tulig's avatar

The Bulls have enough 2nd round picks. Eason will be an RFA; the Bulls would still have to outbid the league or get another favorable sign-and-trade. It's Eason or move on to the next offer.

TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsJB's avatar

I think the guy we’re not talking enough about is Tre Jones.

A good bench player with multiple years left on a nice contract.

I think AK could get a late first round pick for him. I believe Minnesota has a pick swap with Detroit, so maybe AK could get the Detroit pick, which is currently 29th overall.

Waveland14's avatar

I think Tre could definitely benefit a contender and if his deal were expiring we'd be talking about him more.

But to me, and to AKME, the question would be whether Tre on a nice contract is more valuable to us/AKME in the next 2 years than a high-20s 1st rounder (we already have a pick that'll be in the low/mid teens and one around the low 30s, with another potential mid-teens pick coming from the Blazers if they make a run). I truly don't think the Bulls are going into full tank mode so we're not gonna play all those youngsters a la the Nets, and I don't think AKME trusts himself to juggle 3-4 mid-level picks a la Sam Presti.

Not that you aren't correct in your thinking, just that I don't think it's how the Bulls are thinking.

Punchandjudy's avatar

Rumors flying that they are not done, and looking to flip. I'm not sure what to think with this much activity

Waveland14's avatar

I don't think it's just rumor -- their two most obvious trade chips are still on the team, and they just brought in two healthy dudes who play their exact same roles/positions. Of Coby, Ayo, Ivey, and Simons, I'd be SHOCKED if more than two of those guys are still on the Bulls tomorrow afternoon. We're definitely going to get at least a serviceable big guy, as well.

Punchandjudy's avatar

Add Conley to that. I would have loved him as a bull3-4 years ago

your friendly BullsBlogger's avatar

last year they were rumored to flip Jones/Collins/Huerter

that's because the only guy they actually want is Ivey. Simons and Conley are just contracts. And even Ivey they gave up extremely little so if they don't re-sign him I wouldn't care

none of those acquisitions should have an impact on Coby and Ayo remaining, IMO

kinbote's avatar

Let the countdown to relevance begin.

Mikeizbak's avatar

sorry, dont have enough zeros to initiate the clock

your friendly BullsBlogger's avatar

"A league source tells Woike that the Lakers have been linked to practically every defensive-minded wing on the market, including Isaac Okoro of the Bulls. But it seems unlikely Los Angeles would give up its lone tradable first-round pick for a player of that caliber"

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2026/02/lakers-rumors-wing-targets-divincenzo-knecht-sharpe.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky

your friendly BullsBlogger's avatar

hey now this is weird:

"According to Fischer, the Bulls also explored multiple trade scenarios involving Nikola Vucevic before agreeing to a Simons trade with Boston, including offering Vucevic and a future first-round pick to the Cavaliers for Jarrett Allen."

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2026/02/trade-rumors-bulls-dosunmu-allen-missi-rockets-pelicans-more.html

Allen turns 27 this summer. So much for the core timeline!

Michael Tulig's avatar

Is this weird? PWill, Zach Collins and a 2027 2nd round pick to Portland for Jerami Grant and Yang Hansen.

D Z's avatar

This just proves that the bulls are more lucky than logical. Even if we like the overall direction of these trades, it's because they were plan Bs. Trading away a first rd draft pick to get rid of Vuc only to get back a center who doesn't space the floor on offense...one day I'd love to know all of the FO's plan As so we can be downright scared (er happy?) that they didn't go through

your friendly BullsBlogger's avatar

it's not the playing style, the Bulls only play spaced-out fast-paced because that's all they can do to try and make up for the talent deficit

but yes the logic of acquiring Allen would mean that they want a similar caliber team to what they have but slightly younger. that would be consistent!

Jaina's avatar

Can't wait for yet another Harden trade to backfire.

Punchandjudy's avatar

my stuff isnt updating but got a phone notification, AD traded again, man that mavs trade was so dumb

Chi-Fed's avatar

Shams Charania:

BREAKING: The Dallas Mavericks are trading 10-time NBA All-Star Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D'Angelo Russell and Dante Exum to the Washington Wizards for Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, 2 first-round picks and 3 second-rounders, sources tell ESPN.

JorgeFabregas's avatar

Apparently 2026 Thunder first and 2030 protected Warriors first. So the first pick is not much more valuable than the Pelicans second that Vooch netted.

your friendly BullsBlogger's avatar

Wizards! They're doing outstanding.

They've traded for two stars AND kept their young core (which has nobody that good, but still) AND are going to use a very high 2026 pick (and they still have 13 first-round picks over the next seven drafts)

but they don't have cap flexibility anymore, oh no!

your friendly BullsBlogger's avatar

Don't forget, though, the Wizards were not "all about winning" for two (2) seasons and don't have a hall of fame coach. And you can't really put a cost on how that hindered the development of their young prospects versus the Bulls guys' exposure to East Play-In competition

Punchandjudy's avatar

Man the Dallas Luka trade...

TheWalrus's avatar

Honestly, they look pretty great. If Young and Davis play halfway decent (which they could when healthy...they actually somewhat fit well together), they could either make a run for the playoffs in a terrible east next season or make another move.

Feel like a lineup of: Sarr, Davis, George, Tre Johnson, and Young with a top 3 pick this season honestly isn't horrible.

JorgeFabregas's avatar

Jared McCain traded to OKC for a first. Guess he was not really in Philly’s plans after they got Edgecombe.

your friendly BullsBlogger's avatar

Sixers also ducking the tax. They're sneakily pathetic in that way.

Punchandjudy's avatar

They have to be one of the more Overhyped, Meh teams since AI left

JorgeFabregas's avatar

Oh, and three seconds.

Punchandjudy's avatar

watching CBS live trade stuff...man there is a goober working for them.