Alex Caruso's trade value has never been higher. If these dumbasses build an impenetrable fortress around him ala the Thad Young Trade Bulwark, I'm going to write an angry email.
I've kind of settled on Philly as the best potential recipient of Caruso, with OKC being the runner up.
Philly's draft pick situation is kind of hart to untangle, but I think they could offer us a decent 26 pick and the rights to swap with the better of their and the Clippers in 29. Those are pretty solid.
I happen to think Caruso on that team would be the bomb. Just what they need to put them over the top against Lillard or the any of the Celtics guys.
I think the Philly fit is fantastic and turns them into a buzzsaw of (even more) fun. I wonder if GSW would part w/ Kuminga. I read something about this recently, but I forget where. Whether or not GS is one of them, I think there will be more offers in hand for AC than almost anyone available on the trade market.
I agree it's impossible to get two firsts for Caruso. If that's what Bulls are holding out for they'll wind up keeping him
question is the degree of what they do get. If it's 1 first, is it a good one? how soon? would it be like 1.5 firsts where the second asset is a swap or converts-to-2nds
Caruso is a hard nosed player who will throw his body around which results to him getting these injuries. AKME needs to trade him now before he dives for a ball and fractures his wrist/elbow and is out for 4-5 months.
Caruso to Golden State for Moody makes too much sense, especially now that Payton is out. You could probably squeeze a pick out of them as well. AK seems committed to winning now with this flawed roster unfortunately.
Also, I was lamenting at how much I hate the play-in just for that "still in the race for 10th" guff that will be trotted out. Like, fair enough when it was pushing young/inexperienced squads to fight for 8th/ a guaranteed first round exit... The play-in just let's loser teams like our Bulls slide further to irrelevance but still claim that they're close. Get rid.
(I'm also conscious that my opinion of the play in is directly linked to the mediocrity accepting ownership/FO here. If I was a fan of a team that was trying to actually build something maybe I'd think differently!)
I don't mind giving the most teams possible a reason to 'try'
my problem with the Bulls isn't even so much that they're setting low goals, it's that they suck too bad at scouting to know what they're doing. The Vuc trade can work as an idea if it's a better player (and fit) than Vuc
I didn't love the Vuc trade at the time (thought WCJr was the best pick in years and worth spending time developing), but the whole "he's the star that gives us the legitimacy to do the rest of the roster building" was, almost, fair enough. Except they were active that one window in the roster building, then just... stopped? No adaptability shown, just paper over the cracks.
Jerry is absolutely the problem, but if you're even remotely worthwhile as a FO you'll be able to do something within the confines of the 'Dorf imposed restrictions. You're bang on - they are clueless, idea-less and the 10-13th slot is secured just by them performing to the best of their abilities. Sure tha haul from the eventual Zach trade will... Have virtually no impact on that.
AC has been a revelation this year, and is the only Bill deserving an all star slot.
The real question is around others. Ayo and Patrick had strong games. I was frankly surprised at how well they played. To me, it's probably one of the bigger blemishes on Billy's record - these two in particular looked so much better with more playing time and a longer leash to make mistakes.
Billy really distinguishing himself as only able to coach star players, yet not these star players. Then again all he was hired to do was not be an embarrassment so we shouldn't expect more.
The more I watch Coby this year the more I am convinced that his extension is the best signing since Caruso. He has very real physical limitations but has already shown that he's clever enough to work around them (short arms and lack of athleticism limits him around the rim, but he's perfected using his body to shield the ball on drives and angle away from opponents). Defensive reputation almost always lags in this league - you start getting "hailed" for it a year or two after you show you're good at it. He is playing very good defense, not just man or perimeter but even help defense. And obviously his charge stats that I posted before are out of this world.
This was interesting because before this season I couldn't see any evidence that Donovan had brought out the best in any player on the roster, young or old. Most young players just seemed to be shuffling between competency and cringe in the way young players usually do. This year I see measurable growth from Coby and Ayo for sure — they are doing things that they could not before. Feel burned by Patrick so he can keep showing me and proving me wrong and I'll eat it. I think given how much he's grown, anyone talking about Coby's "ceiling" is full of shit at this point.
idk, I don't think I can be accused of homerism, I thought Ayo was the worst starting PG in the league when he did start last year and by a very, very wide margin. There is actual growth happening here, though.
I could see this team without Zach and DeMar going on a run where they run ultra-tight sets and just piss off perimeter players in waves of Ayo/Caruso/Carter/Coby getting in their jerseys. I can also see this team on many nights struggling to 80 points. The good thing is the last part is already true even with Z & D.
"If the Lakers felt LaVine was worth a first-round pick, the team has one it can trade in either 2029 or 2030. Multiple competing executives suggested the Bulls need to give up draft compensation to get out of LaVine's contract, but not if Los Angeles is willing to pay to get him."
I think it's funny that, 15 years into the Analytics Revolution, it's still conventional wisdom that Zach Levine-- a guy whose team never misses him when he's gone-- is a better player than Alex Caruso-- a guy whose team regularly goes to shit when he's gone. Points per game is, it seems, still the best metric out there. Stuff it, dorks. Long live the king.
There are knock-on effects, like the "paradox!" that a team can play more efficiently and with a better w/l outcome with someone that scores 12 a game vs 24 a game. 12 is less than 24. How is this possible? How can Rudy Gay leaving a team improve it?
Was playing around with DARKO lineup projections. Not sure I'm looking at it right, but there are only 2 net+ lineups with >100 possessions this season, and both contain DD, AC, and PW but NOT Zach. one is DD|NV|AC|CW|PW with both +Off and +Def. The other is DD|AD|AC|JC|PW with -Off but +Def.
I'm super ignorant about trade matters, in addition to many other things. But you could probably get something done by trading both Caruso and LaVine either in a package or in a multi-team deal?
The win over the Bucks was bad in that it validates AK's idea of putting any other roster moves on hold until Zach is moved. Everything and everybody should be on the table simultaneously.
Zach is a walking turnover who is also a horrible defensive player. Over his career he is a massive 1600- player with only 1 +/- positive season. He has poor judgement and disrupts the offense negatively as the ball sticks when he gets it. We r better without him.
Secondly someone who knows Donovan had better tell him to play Drummond and sit Nikola who cant guard or rebound on the offensive end. Andre helps teams win with his rebounding defense and scoring yet he sits while Vuc gives us nothing in the last 12 minutes against the Bucks
Trade him for a defensive center and start Andre for 25-30 minutes. Trade Zach for anyone who can play D and make an open 3.
Alex Caruso's trade value has never been higher. If these dumbasses build an impenetrable fortress around him ala the Thad Young Trade Bulwark, I'm going to write an angry email.
Cash in the ticket, AKME.
I've kind of settled on Philly as the best potential recipient of Caruso, with OKC being the runner up.
Philly's draft pick situation is kind of hart to untangle, but I think they could offer us a decent 26 pick and the rights to swap with the better of their and the Clippers in 29. Those are pretty solid.
I happen to think Caruso on that team would be the bomb. Just what they need to put them over the top against Lillard or the any of the Celtics guys.
I think the Philly fit is fantastic and turns them into a buzzsaw of (even more) fun. I wonder if GSW would part w/ Kuminga. I read something about this recently, but I forget where. Whether or not GS is one of them, I think there will be more offers in hand for AC than almost anyone available on the trade market.
I agree it's impossible to get two firsts for Caruso. If that's what Bulls are holding out for they'll wind up keeping him
question is the degree of what they do get. If it's 1 first, is it a good one? how soon? would it be like 1.5 firsts where the second asset is a swap or converts-to-2nds
Should have mentioned too... in the Philly scenario, can we do the picks plus Paul Reed and KJ Martin for Drummond and Caruso?
Seems like the Sixers could live with that, and those are two youngish guys that might be able to play. I'd take a flier on Bamba too I guess.
Trading for a 2026 pick does nothing for AK. I think he needs capital now.
I think the Knicks are a possibility. They have 4 potential 1st round picks this year and a bunch of dead salary.
Knicks could do their 24 pick, the heavily protected Washington pick and Donte for Caruso.
Caruso is a hard nosed player who will throw his body around which results to him getting these injuries. AKME needs to trade him now before he dives for a ball and fractures his wrist/elbow and is out for 4-5 months.
Caruso to Golden State for Moody makes too much sense, especially now that Payton is out. You could probably squeeze a pick out of them as well. AK seems committed to winning now with this flawed roster unfortunately.
Street Clothes in the house.
Straight butter hits.
Why can't this team average 35 assists a night?
My blood is boylen
Also, I was lamenting at how much I hate the play-in just for that "still in the race for 10th" guff that will be trotted out. Like, fair enough when it was pushing young/inexperienced squads to fight for 8th/ a guaranteed first round exit... The play-in just let's loser teams like our Bulls slide further to irrelevance but still claim that they're close. Get rid.
(I'm also conscious that my opinion of the play in is directly linked to the mediocrity accepting ownership/FO here. If I was a fan of a team that was trying to actually build something maybe I'd think differently!)
This is why everything boils down to ownership. For Jerry, the battle for 10th is awesome. For Joe Lacob, it's an insult.
I don't mind giving the most teams possible a reason to 'try'
my problem with the Bulls isn't even so much that they're setting low goals, it's that they suck too bad at scouting to know what they're doing. The Vuc trade can work as an idea if it's a better player (and fit) than Vuc
I didn't love the Vuc trade at the time (thought WCJr was the best pick in years and worth spending time developing), but the whole "he's the star that gives us the legitimacy to do the rest of the roster building" was, almost, fair enough. Except they were active that one window in the roster building, then just... stopped? No adaptability shown, just paper over the cracks.
Jerry is absolutely the problem, but if you're even remotely worthwhile as a FO you'll be able to do something within the confines of the 'Dorf imposed restrictions. You're bang on - they are clueless, idea-less and the 10-13th slot is secured just by them performing to the best of their abilities. Sure tha haul from the eventual Zach trade will... Have virtually no impact on that.
AC has been a revelation this year, and is the only Bill deserving an all star slot.
The real question is around others. Ayo and Patrick had strong games. I was frankly surprised at how well they played. To me, it's probably one of the bigger blemishes on Billy's record - these two in particular looked so much better with more playing time and a longer leash to make mistakes.
Billy really distinguishing himself as only able to coach star players, yet not these star players. Then again all he was hired to do was not be an embarrassment so we shouldn't expect more.
6-14 is embarrassing
The more I watch Coby this year the more I am convinced that his extension is the best signing since Caruso. He has very real physical limitations but has already shown that he's clever enough to work around them (short arms and lack of athleticism limits him around the rim, but he's perfected using his body to shield the ball on drives and angle away from opponents). Defensive reputation almost always lags in this league - you start getting "hailed" for it a year or two after you show you're good at it. He is playing very good defense, not just man or perimeter but even help defense. And obviously his charge stats that I posted before are out of this world.
This was interesting because before this season I couldn't see any evidence that Donovan had brought out the best in any player on the roster, young or old. Most young players just seemed to be shuffling between competency and cringe in the way young players usually do. This year I see measurable growth from Coby and Ayo for sure — they are doing things that they could not before. Feel burned by Patrick so he can keep showing me and proving me wrong and I'll eat it. I think given how much he's grown, anyone talking about Coby's "ceiling" is full of shit at this point.
idk, I don't think I can be accused of homerism, I thought Ayo was the worst starting PG in the league when he did start last year and by a very, very wide margin. There is actual growth happening here, though.
I could see this team without Zach and DeMar going on a run where they run ultra-tight sets and just piss off perimeter players in waves of Ayo/Caruso/Carter/Coby getting in their jerseys. I can also see this team on many nights struggling to 80 points. The good thing is the last part is already true even with Z & D.
he's still shooting 57% at the rim though. That's below last 2 years
his attempts at the rim have gone up though, that's not nothing
Eric Pincus = TheKillerWhale:
"If the Lakers felt LaVine was worth a first-round pick, the team has one it can trade in either 2029 or 2030. Multiple competing executives suggested the Bulls need to give up draft compensation to get out of LaVine's contract, but not if Los Angeles is willing to pay to get him."
According to @wojespn on ESPN, "there is not a trade market for Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine right now in the NBA."
This cannot be true. A legit star on a long contract is always attractive in a trade.
must be that pesky league-wide conspiracy to help the Lakers and Heat
Lavine is not a legit star.
whoosh.
Lowe Post pod opened with Warriors desperation talk but quickly shot down LaVine as "not a Warriors kind of player" lol
I think it's funny that, 15 years into the Analytics Revolution, it's still conventional wisdom that Zach Levine-- a guy whose team never misses him when he's gone-- is a better player than Alex Caruso-- a guy whose team regularly goes to shit when he's gone. Points per game is, it seems, still the best metric out there. Stuff it, dorks. Long live the king.
There are knock-on effects, like the "paradox!" that a team can play more efficiently and with a better w/l outcome with someone that scores 12 a game vs 24 a game. 12 is less than 24. How is this possible? How can Rudy Gay leaving a team improve it?
Woj: no market for Lavine lol
Was playing around with DARKO lineup projections. Not sure I'm looking at it right, but there are only 2 net+ lineups with >100 possessions this season, and both contain DD, AC, and PW but NOT Zach. one is DD|NV|AC|CW|PW with both +Off and +Def. The other is DD|AD|AC|JC|PW with -Off but +Def.
Snabba Cash
I'm super ignorant about trade matters, in addition to many other things. But you could probably get something done by trading both Caruso and LaVine either in a package or in a multi-team deal?
Couldn't bring yourself to throw some respect towards Billy and Vuc after this victory Yfbb?
Billy should be fired for prioritizing Zach’s feelings over winning!
The win over the Bucks was bad in that it validates AK's idea of putting any other roster moves on hold until Zach is moved. Everything and everybody should be on the table simultaneously.
We're going to need a bigger table.
Zach is a walking turnover who is also a horrible defensive player. Over his career he is a massive 1600- player with only 1 +/- positive season. He has poor judgement and disrupts the offense negatively as the ball sticks when he gets it. We r better without him.
Secondly someone who knows Donovan had better tell him to play Drummond and sit Nikola who cant guard or rebound on the offensive end. Andre helps teams win with his rebounding defense and scoring yet he sits while Vuc gives us nothing in the last 12 minutes against the Bucks
Trade him for a defensive center and start Andre for 25-30 minutes. Trade Zach for anyone who can play D and make an open 3.