Chisoxfn

We know I probably like Pat the least of everyone on this board...but I can't blame the Bulls on that deal and I wouldn't be surprised if they get really good surplus value on this 2nd deal. The interesting guy is White - he is in a really good place right now - but I think his next deal will be a bad one. Bulls probably are fine holding onto him for another year - but if we are rebuilding Coby could be an interesting player to dangle - as teams around the apron will value what he brings to the table plus how he can fit in without blowing up their budgets. Ayo is kind of in a similar spot. And in fairness - the Bulls could and should hold them now, but I could see a scenario where they are actually dangled at the deadline to maximize their value.

That is why I think if I were the Sox - I might try to get the market for him now vs. wait until 30 days. If you get a really good offer - don't hold out for the amazing offer cause the risk that something goes wrong in next 30 days is not minimal.

Ditch Behralter. 3 shots through 85 minutes - bad call or not this team should be better than that and outcomes at this level matter.

Wtf were the refs seeing in that var. awful.

At this point - we got to just pray that his arm stays healthy and/or we strike on a team looking to jump the market and get a kick start. Looking in direction of San Diego or Seattle or someone else who wants Crochet not just for the post-season and to get a start on him now, but who might also put a bigger premium on his cost control over next few years (maybe a team like Milwalkee, Braves or Pirates could fit into that conversation.

I kind of don't think much of 2nd rounders to be honest. But this move seems decent enough. Don't know much about him, but he's young so at least lines up with the idea of trying out some young parts. I really am curious how true the rumors are on Lavine. If they are what everyone is saying - which absolutely could be the case given how much time he missed last year, than I don't see why you would trade him. They are building a team to play up tempo which should be a good fit for Lavine to showcase himself better (but reality is this could be Klutch trying to drive his value down so much so he can get to his destination of choice). If I were the Bulls I have to think long and hard about how willing I am to do that (this whole - you'd have to attach a FRP to deal Lavine - well at that point he's staying and I'll try to build back his value - cause he is an efficient scorer and in the right set-up is a really good #2/#3. But he clearly IS NOT a #1.

Do the Clippers have anything worthwhile to sign and trade for Demar?

I don’t like Pat much but I get why they did this and if Cowley is right and we see them move on from Lavine, Vic and Demar than I am pretty happy. Took too long to kind of hit a reset.

Dump the coach

The other thing I would do right now if I were AK - is be an individual who facilitates trades. Maybe they can get in on helping Golden State get out of Chris Paul (and Vuc could be part of that deal). Buyout Paul or let Paul be the veteran mentor until he is moved at the deadline or you buy him out than. I'm sure there are other places too there where they can add some assets. I'm also not sitting here demanding they end up with the #1 pick in the upcoming draft (would be great) - but be in a position where you are in the top 5 (which I think is doable given the route they are headed). And get plenty of more assets so you start to build up some flexibility (easier said than done - but NBA is interesting - when you can operate as a 3rd party facilitator there is a certain amount of assets you can buy up at a reasonable ST cost).

I agree with the above - however, I think even with Derozan that is a team that is going to be bottom 5. If it were me, I would go all out to move the mid 3 and even Patrick Williams, I would lean to if I could sign and trade him I may opt to do it. Now if no one ends up giving him a big number, than maybe you do exactly what they did with Ayo and White and than the hope is he does mature (and I have learned some of these young guys really do take until their 2nd contract before they emerge) and so if you can get them at a more fair deal in that 2nd deal it could be really nice. I might even take a flyer on a Wiseman who probably stinks but why not. I do think veteran prescence is important though - but I also think this is where having a Billy Donovan who is well respected and solid leader as a coach is actually a good fit. I also think moving away from Derozan is important to get a team that will pay with pace which finally fits more of the up-tempo style they want to do. In terms of Buzelis - I like his general shooting form so I think with time he will develop that 3 point shot and the one thing I give AK credit for is, initial results from the new shooting coach were pretty solid.

I’m just glad it seems like they are going for a reset and a youth movement of sorts.

This - and I think we will see more and maybe Derozan sticks around as a vet. But I’m fine if they do something creative with Vic, sign and trade Demar, and than maybe I get pleasantly surprised with Zach (even though I truly believe putting him on a young team for a month or two and him healthy he will put up efficient stats and get his trade value to a point it is a bit more salvageable. Better yet Lonzo somehow does anything and they can flip him in season for something.

Total legend

Totally forgot today is the NBA draft.

I should note - the above team wouldn’t be good, so it’s going to get a top 5 pick which is impprtant given depth of next years draft and team should be in a good cap situation with an improving back drop as well.

I think if I were AK, Vuc is getting dealt, Derozan I try and sign and trade and Lavine I keep and deal in season. On Vuc - if I had to take or facilitate a contract or do something creative I would do it. I also probably would prefer facilitating a sign and trade with Pat Williams but as long as no one makes a ridiculous offer, I suppose matching any reasonable deal for his 2nd contract could end up being ok. For the record - I think Lavine with no Demar and no Vuc…but with White, Giddey, Ayo, Pat and whomever else is presumably young and athletic probably allows Zach to be pretty free and basically rebuild his stats. Than deal him - barring another major injury his value is as low as it gets, why not see if he can enhance it a bit.

I'm taking Giddey.

They should have won by 6 - but overall can’t complain. Tourney starts for real on Thursday against Panama and than a real tough one against Uraguay. Would be nice to beat Panama and know they are in.

They need him to have a big time month. If he does that I think he gets moved, if he is meh, I think you hope he finishes the rest of the year strong and you deal him in the offseason.

Would an Ingram for Lavine deal be fair? Bulls get younger - small forward / power forward so decent fit. Maybe run a small lineup or something. Than flip Ingram at deadline if he is doing much? Probably no reason Pelicans do it but I don’t think his value is super high either.

Let’s be fair / yes he was fast. He also was 26 and done nothing. It isn’t like it’s a 21 year old who had minimal experience.

With Vuc - he hasn't had real value for 2+ years. Lavine is the one that really hurts - cause he had some legitimate value prior to his injury / things going sour. But whatever - it is what it is. Demar wasn't getting a lot last year at the deadline - so I think they can salvage something for him in a sign and trade.

I don't disagree - to your point - Getz could make all the wrong moves like every other past front office, maybe those deals don't work. But if Getz was a new front office guy (hired outside) - I think people would be a bit more objective that thus far there was at least logic and some payoff to what he has done. It could turn out that none of those guys pan out and he gets crap for Cease and all the other picks and this team is an absolute disaster. Quite honestly - given the Sox, I kind of expect it - but at this point - I don't think his rational has been poor. Hahn on the other end - outside of maybe a 12 month string of good luck - almost none of his moves ever made a ton of sense to me and had very little strategic / roster building rationale.

That is my point - at least it is different. If what they do completely blows up - they at least are at a better starting point from a cap flexibility perspective and presumably draft basis as well (as I assume they'll get some semblance of picks back - even if not great ones - when they move a few more players). Just like the Sox though - nothing could have been quite worse than the direction the Bulls were headed the past couple of years.