That clip of Zach and DeMar (and others) standing and watching while the Hornets collect offensive rebounds is brutal. Vuc is absolutely in the right to complain loudly and openly there.
It was floated that Bulls might trade Ball’s 80% covered by insurance contract. So it’s essentially a 1 more year at 4+M. The lazy trade is for Rozier who has 2 more at 20+ remaining. LaMelo gets to hang with big bro. Then we can trade Jevon Carter.
I saw that and will likely write about that. I don't think it's very likely. In fact the Bulls are probably mad more people know about the insurance now. Puts their actual payroll expense in the bottom ten
It makes their avoidance of the tax — even to the point of playing a 6'5" guy as their back up center for a number of games, because there really isn't a power forward on the roster capable of defending Cs either — all the more annoying. You're getting a $16 million windfall at the end of the year and we ALL FUCKING KNOW that you're not going to ever get a repeater penalty or any of the new roster and transaction related penalties.
They have found money and they're putting it into their pocket. Jerry wins again.
If they are aiming to retool they should take any two midsized contracts plus a pick and then move on. A retool would require them to be active in the disgruntled star trade market. They'd have contracts, picks, pick swaps and even a few young players to be in contention, not to mention a major media market. Yet AKME have never been tied to any big star movement ever. If that continues they have to go. End of story l.
the Bulls are so shortsighted they don't really see the value of these 'slots'. Unless it's to keep Vuc happy, so happy that no team would want him in a trade.
They probably feel they need to save for next season if Zach isn't making max money, and only use a slot on a very good player (that they won't have)
for the offseason, if they could keep the DeRozan extension down, that'd be a big salary chunk. Plus Vuc I guess. And Lonzo expiring/insured if they don't get it totally excluded. And it's likely not realistic to get all expiring money for Zach, so that'll probably be another $20M or so next year whether it's Russell or someone similar
This is also why the max extension was dumb. Like it makes sense if you're a normal NBA team, and we wanted to believe this...but if you're the Bulls you need to get additional value out of the max slot, not neutral
I hear you. And I guess this will be the ultimate proof of your theory that AKME is both negligent and only tasked with saving/keeping money. That's different from being risk-averse, or simply not good at your job. It should be obvious to see, because they'll literally have ZERO way of improving this middling roster without being aggressive in the trade market, packaging salaries, trading picks/swaps and enticing a star to headline the roster. I'm not even saying it's the right path, bit is A PATH.
Another trade with Orlando would satisfy the Bulls cheapness. Zach to Orlando for Fultz and Isaac and the '24 1st rounder. Bulls can see if the "shot doctor" can fix Isaac and Fultz's shot. Yes, Bulls medical would have their hands full. However, neither player is on a guaranteed deal, so if it doesn't work out the Bulls aren't tied up long term. It's a crap return but it's probably not far from what the Bulls will actually get.
I'm sorry, but every time I see a proposal that expects some young, up and coming team to take on a much older player on an Albatros contract that will kill their ability to re-sign their young, up and coming players, I automatically discount it.
None of these teams (e.g. Orlando, OKC, Indiana etc) would entertain taking Zach, I don't think.
The Magic don't have to pay any of their young guys until the 25-26 season. They also have several guys coming off their books next year. The Magic are uniquely positioned to be able to take on an "albatross contract" that would have 2 years left when the Magic have to start thinking about big extensions. It's not as bad a transaction for Orlando has you think.
I don't understand how the Magic would conclude that adding Zach Lavine improves their team in any way. I can understand why Lebron wants him - he wants another "star" and has always been a bad GM. I don't know why anyone else would. What is Orlando with Zach capable of that they were not capable of before having to pay him $40mil/year?
And he's got a PO (which he will surely exercise at age 31) for 26-27 for $49M.
I think you're just incorrect on the facts here. This is simply a non-starter. They aren't going to endanger signing guys like Banchero or Wagner to be carrying around Zach at nearly $50M.
I don't think it's much of a danger to their long-term books, but Orlando cries poor so they'll make it seem like it is. At least to the point where it's not advantageous to add LaVine versus, just, not
Getting Zach out of here is a plus irregardless of what the Bulls can get for him. Donovan’s plan to bring Zach and Vuc back to starters minutes will only hurt the teams chances. Lastly, he avoided the question of Andre . The guy is truly incompetent and doesn’t realizing by decreasing Andre’s minutes he’s hurting his team.
this is a more basic hypothetical i likely should've put in the post, let us consider different packages from the Warriors
they have an astronomical tax bill, where any additional salary costs multiples more in expense.
Bulls likely holding firm that they use Chris Paul ($30M expiring), whereas Warriors would really like to send out Wiggins (4yrs $28M/yr) and would be more willing to include a first/Kuminga/Moody/Pods.
Shit I'd take Wiggins, he's the same age as LaVine, better fit and makes less. Gotta hope he just didn't forget how to play basketball, but he's durable so it's not a Ben Simmons situation. Then he's in that slot for the next trade.
Assuming they could somehow make the money work, would you do a deal like Wiggins, Moody and a 1st for Zach? Wiggins is dead weight at this point, but his salary is more manageable.
If this was truly the best AK could get? I think I would have to do it.
I would take that, yeah, and think it's better than Russell+Rui+1st
problem is GSW has to include more salary. So now if you're taking Payton that's a $9M player option for next year. And even that would mean they're taking an additional $3M in this trade and I won't look it up but I think they're being taxed at like 2x that
so what if you include a Looney for Drummond swap to actually save Warriors money this year and next. But now between all those players not a one expires this season. I don't think that's the worst thing in the world, it's a lot more palatable in these smaller chunks to do future trades, but the Bulls probably would not like this or trust their own ability to make further moves.
It seems like the stars should align to enable a Warriors/Raptors trade. Ujiri seems to be walking in the footsteps of Joe Dumars, from being seen as the most cagey GM in the game to someone whose moves can only be understood if we later find out he's using astrology or the I-Ching or a team of palm readers.
He waited out Van Vleet and got nothing (hard to believe he couldn't have gotten the deal that the Jazz took for Westbrook, getting at least a few picks on an expiring contract). He locked up Poeltl for 4 years though. He waited until OG and now Siakam are expiring deals and apparently he went out of his way to tell them he didn't like them at all. Last summer he apparently just ghosted Siakam altogether.
So the Warriors need size, I'm not really sure Draymond and Siakam can play together but I know for a fact that Draymond and Looney looks really bad right now. If it doesn't work they can walk away (which Siakam, again weirdly, seems determined to tell teams he's going to do anyway).
I figured the Raptors would want Paul's expiring for Siakam but Wiggins being a Canadian folk hero suddenly seems relevant given their trade of OG for a package including RJ Barrett's passport.
I agree Raptors/Siakam seems way more likely for the Warriors than LaVine. As much as Siakam is trying to let it known that he's a rental, the Warriors wouldn't mind if it meant moving off Wiggins's contract. I don't think Raptors think it's worth it (even considering Canadian-ness)
Siakam is an interesting upcoming free agency in the same vein as DeRozan. Like there's rumors about them wanting raises but they're not good enough to generate much of a FA market. We've seen very recently how the Bulls deal with no other bidders. I don't know if Toronto will be as easily fooled
That clip of Zach and DeMar (and others) standing and watching while the Hornets collect offensive rebounds is brutal. Vuc is absolutely in the right to complain loudly and openly there.
that's fine, they should also get to do the same to him when he employs his 'no touching' rim protection
It was floated that Bulls might trade Ball’s 80% covered by insurance contract. So it’s essentially a 1 more year at 4+M. The lazy trade is for Rozier who has 2 more at 20+ remaining. LaMelo gets to hang with big bro. Then we can trade Jevon Carter.
I saw that and will likely write about that. I don't think it's very likely. In fact the Bulls are probably mad more people know about the insurance now. Puts their actual payroll expense in the bottom ten
It makes their avoidance of the tax — even to the point of playing a 6'5" guy as their back up center for a number of games, because there really isn't a power forward on the roster capable of defending Cs either — all the more annoying. You're getting a $16 million windfall at the end of the year and we ALL FUCKING KNOW that you're not going to ever get a repeater penalty or any of the new roster and transaction related penalties.
They have found money and they're putting it into their pocket. Jerry wins again.
Maybe Jerry should start planting banana peels near Zach’s locker...
If they are aiming to retool they should take any two midsized contracts plus a pick and then move on. A retool would require them to be active in the disgruntled star trade market. They'd have contracts, picks, pick swaps and even a few young players to be in contention, not to mention a major media market. Yet AKME have never been tied to any big star movement ever. If that continues they have to go. End of story l.
And having Zach 'vacate' the max salary slot is a big and necessary win on its own.
the Bulls are so shortsighted they don't really see the value of these 'slots'. Unless it's to keep Vuc happy, so happy that no team would want him in a trade.
They probably feel they need to save for next season if Zach isn't making max money, and only use a slot on a very good player (that they won't have)
for the offseason, if they could keep the DeRozan extension down, that'd be a big salary chunk. Plus Vuc I guess. And Lonzo expiring/insured if they don't get it totally excluded. And it's likely not realistic to get all expiring money for Zach, so that'll probably be another $20M or so next year whether it's Russell or someone similar
This is also why the max extension was dumb. Like it makes sense if you're a normal NBA team, and we wanted to believe this...but if you're the Bulls you need to get additional value out of the max slot, not neutral
I hear you. And I guess this will be the ultimate proof of your theory that AKME is both negligent and only tasked with saving/keeping money. That's different from being risk-averse, or simply not good at your job. It should be obvious to see, because they'll literally have ZERO way of improving this middling roster without being aggressive in the trade market, packaging salaries, trading picks/swaps and enticing a star to headline the roster. I'm not even saying it's the right path, bit is A PATH.
Lavine was made for a Hornets jersey.
that's cold
Another trade with Orlando would satisfy the Bulls cheapness. Zach to Orlando for Fultz and Isaac and the '24 1st rounder. Bulls can see if the "shot doctor" can fix Isaac and Fultz's shot. Yes, Bulls medical would have their hands full. However, neither player is on a guaranteed deal, so if it doesn't work out the Bulls aren't tied up long term. It's a crap return but it's probably not far from what the Bulls will actually get.
I'm sorry, but every time I see a proposal that expects some young, up and coming team to take on a much older player on an Albatros contract that will kill their ability to re-sign their young, up and coming players, I automatically discount it.
None of these teams (e.g. Orlando, OKC, Indiana etc) would entertain taking Zach, I don't think.
The Magic don't have to pay any of their young guys until the 25-26 season. They also have several guys coming off their books next year. The Magic are uniquely positioned to be able to take on an "albatross contract" that would have 2 years left when the Magic have to start thinking about big extensions. It's not as bad a transaction for Orlando has you think.
I don't understand how the Magic would conclude that adding Zach Lavine improves their team in any way. I can understand why Lebron wants him - he wants another "star" and has always been a bad GM. I don't know why anyone else would. What is Orlando with Zach capable of that they were not capable of before having to pay him $40mil/year?
LeBron is a bad GM? How many of the titles and Finals appearances does he get credit for? I'm good with you. #Peace
Zach in 25-26 will be on the books for $46M!
And he's got a PO (which he will surely exercise at age 31) for 26-27 for $49M.
I think you're just incorrect on the facts here. This is simply a non-starter. They aren't going to endanger signing guys like Banchero or Wagner to be carrying around Zach at nearly $50M.
I don't think it's much of a danger to their long-term books, but Orlando cries poor so they'll make it seem like it is. At least to the point where it's not advantageous to add LaVine versus, just, not
The overwhelming majority of teams ain't gonna pay three guys the max. Orlando would be in that situation.
Getting Zach out of here is a plus irregardless of what the Bulls can get for him. Donovan’s plan to bring Zach and Vuc back to starters minutes will only hurt the teams chances. Lastly, he avoided the question of Andre . The guy is truly incompetent and doesn’t realizing by decreasing Andre’s minutes he’s hurting his team.
I’m glad you’re here to complain about Donny’s non-coaching so I don’t have too
Donny's substitutions in the last 6 minutes of regulation and all of overtime: 0
Not one!
With a team coughing up a 16 point lead and going SCORELESS half of that time!
I salute you, too, sir!
Bulls making a bad but money-saving trade is the safest bet in all of sports.
I feel like not making a trade is still a safer bet. Prove me wrong, Bulls.
That's a pretty good bet too. And it's at least a less-bad course of action.
If you took they did one of your two things or something else, what odds would you have to give? -5000?
this is a more basic hypothetical i likely should've put in the post, let us consider different packages from the Warriors
they have an astronomical tax bill, where any additional salary costs multiples more in expense.
Bulls likely holding firm that they use Chris Paul ($30M expiring), whereas Warriors would really like to send out Wiggins (4yrs $28M/yr) and would be more willing to include a first/Kuminga/Moody/Pods.
Shit I'd take Wiggins, he's the same age as LaVine, better fit and makes less. Gotta hope he just didn't forget how to play basketball, but he's durable so it's not a Ben Simmons situation. Then he's in that slot for the next trade.
Assuming they could somehow make the money work, would you do a deal like Wiggins, Moody and a 1st for Zach? Wiggins is dead weight at this point, but his salary is more manageable.
If this was truly the best AK could get? I think I would have to do it.
I would take that, yeah, and think it's better than Russell+Rui+1st
problem is GSW has to include more salary. So now if you're taking Payton that's a $9M player option for next year. And even that would mean they're taking an additional $3M in this trade and I won't look it up but I think they're being taxed at like 2x that
so what if you include a Looney for Drummond swap to actually save Warriors money this year and next. But now between all those players not a one expires this season. I don't think that's the worst thing in the world, it's a lot more palatable in these smaller chunks to do future trades, but the Bulls probably would not like this or trust their own ability to make further moves.
I think the salary matching trade is Paul/Wiggins/Jackson-Davis for LaVine/Caruso/Drummond/Craig. It’s all about the money...
I think it's possible the Bulls sweeten the outgoing pot to save money, but not with Caruso
It seems like the stars should align to enable a Warriors/Raptors trade. Ujiri seems to be walking in the footsteps of Joe Dumars, from being seen as the most cagey GM in the game to someone whose moves can only be understood if we later find out he's using astrology or the I-Ching or a team of palm readers.
He waited out Van Vleet and got nothing (hard to believe he couldn't have gotten the deal that the Jazz took for Westbrook, getting at least a few picks on an expiring contract). He locked up Poeltl for 4 years though. He waited until OG and now Siakam are expiring deals and apparently he went out of his way to tell them he didn't like them at all. Last summer he apparently just ghosted Siakam altogether.
So the Warriors need size, I'm not really sure Draymond and Siakam can play together but I know for a fact that Draymond and Looney looks really bad right now. If it doesn't work they can walk away (which Siakam, again weirdly, seems determined to tell teams he's going to do anyway).
I figured the Raptors would want Paul's expiring for Siakam but Wiggins being a Canadian folk hero suddenly seems relevant given their trade of OG for a package including RJ Barrett's passport.
I thought Masai did a great job with the OG trade
I agree Raptors/Siakam seems way more likely for the Warriors than LaVine. As much as Siakam is trying to let it known that he's a rental, the Warriors wouldn't mind if it meant moving off Wiggins's contract. I don't think Raptors think it's worth it (even considering Canadian-ness)
Siakam is an interesting upcoming free agency in the same vein as DeRozan. Like there's rumors about them wanting raises but they're not good enough to generate much of a FA market. We've seen very recently how the Bulls deal with no other bidders. I don't know if Toronto will be as easily fooled