Bulls off-season thread

[Regular Show]

https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/lavar-ball-says-bulls-lavine-will-sign-lakers-free-agency

 

LaVar Ball has a history of prescience, dating back to him forecasting his son, Lonzo, being drafted by the Lakers in 2017.L

 

But Chicago Bulls fans hope his latest prediction is one that doesn't come to fruition.

 

"He's gone," LaVar matter-of-factly said when asked in a recent interview with David Kaplan whether he believes Zach LaVine will re-sign with the Bulls this offseason.

 

To where?

 

"They're gonna love him in LA," LaVar said.

 

lmao I cant even being to comprehend how the Lakers would be able to fit LaVine onto their roster.

 

LaVar likes to run his mouth and say crazy stuff, but you can't completely discount it as he has a direct connection to the Bulls in Lonzo. In the interview he said Zach did not like being the second fiddle to DeMar last year and that's why he's looking to leave. 99% sure its BS though.

 

He's just trolling and spreading gossip... The Lakers are desperate to move Russell Westbrook this offseason and that is their top priority. I have no idea how LaVine could end up in LA.

 

Also, he says Zach didn't like being second fiddle to DeMar, but he'll love being second fiddle to Lebron lol? He would be the clear third option behind Lebron and a healthy AD over there. Yeah, I don't think Lonzo told his dad any legit inside information about the Bulls' chemistry. I don't think his sons take him seriously anymore or ask for fatherly advice. LaVar is a joke with very little influence now.

[Regular Show]

Alex Caruso deserved more votes and I'm honestly surprised by how few he got (maybe all the missed time played a factor). I said before the postseason began that PWill has a chance to be our most impactful defender because of his size/athleticism/length and I was wrong; Caruso was clearly the MVP on defense in that 1st-round loss. He was crazy impressive in game two (I believe he had 8 forced turnovers!) and the main reason they won that game.

 

[raw]

Caruso missed literally half the season. It's a wonder that he even got a 1st team vote. That's all the props I need to show he's a great defensive player.

[UK]

My realistic draft hopes:

 

1) Tari Eason - LSU

2) EJ Liddell - Ohio State

[raw]

My realistic draft hopes:

 

1) Tari Eason - LSU

2) EJ Liddell - Ohio State

 

1. Ochai Agbaji, Kansas (not sure how realistic he'll be when all is said and done.

2. Jalen Duren, Memphis

3. Kendall Brown, Baylor

[wolf stansson]

I have no idea how LaVine could end up in LA.

 

Sign and trade. AD?

[Regular Show]

I have no idea how LaVine could end up in LA.

 

Sign and trade. AD?

 

I don't know... I think the Lakers would want LaVine without having to give up AD in a sign-and-trade. The Bulls would probably try to move Vucevic + additional pieces to get AD and then re-sign LaVine to form a big 3 of DeRozan, LaVine and AD (this trio would be super talented but also pretty scary in terms of health/availability).

 

Also, you don't have to be a basketball savant to know a Russell Westbrook/Zach LaVine backcourt wouldn't work. That's why I said their #1 priority is figuring out a way to dump Westbrook on some team. It very well might be an impossible task this offseason because the Westbrook experiment seems to fail everywhere he goes. The Lakers and their fans can dream I guess.

[Regular Show]

[Cubswin11]

I have no idea how LaVine could end up in LA.

 

Sign and trade. AD?

 

I don't know... I think the Lakers would want LaVine without having to give up AD in a sign-and-trade. The Bulls would probably try to move Vucevic + additional pieces to get AD and then re-sign LaVine to form a big 3 of DeRozan, LaVine and AD (this trio would be super talented but also pretty scary in terms of health/availability).

 

Also, you don't have to be a basketball savant to know a Russell Westbrook/Zach LaVine backcourt wouldn't work. That's why I said their #1 priority is figuring out a way to dump Westbrook on some team. It very well might be an impossible task this offseason because the Westbrook experiment seems to fail everywhere he goes. The Lakers and their fans can dream I guess.

Yeah I think Russ is pretty much impossible to move, he makes like $47 mil this year and they have no firsts forever to sweeten the deal if there was something out there. I’m sure Lakers fans think they can trade him though for like Jimmy Butler or something. Most likely outcome is they cut him/buy him out or he just gets the Deng treatment when he signed that big deal in LA and they just pay him and he never plays.

[UMFan83]

 

Using Zach in marketing still - its a sign!!

[UMFan83]

DeRozan makes 2nd team All-NBA. List of Bulls to make an All-NBA team since the dynasty

 

1st - Rose, Noah

2nd - DeRozan, Gasol

3rd - Butler

 

All did it once

[Regular Show]

[Regular Show]

For anyone bored and wanting to learn more about NBA Draft prospects:

 

https://www.tankathon.com/mock_draft

 

I used to get Walker Kessler every time I did this mock simulator, but now I get Baylor SF Kendall Brown. I don't really have a favorite draft prospect (at least not for this draft) right now in the range where the Bulls are picking. I was super high on Australian guard Dyson Daniels a few months back. We have no shot at him now, unless we traded up quite a few spots. One of the most impressive players in the G League.

[Regular Show]

 

This guy is getting a lot of positive attention now and was impressive in Chicago in front of NBA scouts and execs. Jalen Williams looks really good in that clip above and fits the style of recent picks under AKME. Should be a good two-way player and reminds me of PWill a little bit. Not sure if he has scheduled any private workouts with NBA teams, but I'm sure they're coming in the next couple weeks.

[Regular Show]

[Regular Show]

 

They have the Bulls taking Tari Eason:

 

Tari Eason

LSU

PF

Age: 21.0

 

The Bulls need to add depth in the frontcourt and shore up their defense, which ranked second-worst last season among playoff teams. Eason is one of the most explosive and productive players in the draft, putting consistent pressure on opposing defenses with his quick first step, physicality and insatiable intensity, characteristics that allow him to live at the free throw line. These same traits helped make him one of the most versatile defenders in college, a magnet for steals, blocks and rebounds who flew all over the floor in LSU's suffocating press while rotating from guarding point guards to big men.

 

One of the highest-rising prospects during the pre-draft period and someone I like for the Bulls was taken 2 picks later at #20:

 

Jalen Williams

Santa Clara

SF

Age: 21.1

 

With three first-round picks at their disposal and a roster that is far from settled, the Spurs can afford to take a long view in selecting the best player available regardless of positional fit. Williams has been one of the big winners of the pre-draft process so far, starting with his outstanding measurements (6-6, 209 pounds with a 7-2 wingspan) and continuing with his strong play at the NBA combine scrimmages and at his pro day, where he excelled in 3-on-3 action. Williams brings the type of defensive versatility, perimeter shooting and off-court intangibles the franchise typically values, and looks like a good fit alongside any of the Spurs existing players.

[raw]

I like Eason and Williams a lot. But I kinda feel like if they go frontcourt, they need to go 6'10 or up. I don't see a path to a bunch of playing time with guys in the 6'4"- 6'8" range who aren't knockdown shooters with Ball, Williams, Caruso, DeRozan, Ayo and hopefully LaVine on the wing. Granted, it's not like a rookie necessarily needs to be a big part of the rotation right away and the Bulls do have health concerns with that group.....but I'm essentially looking to upgrade Coby White as a shooter and defender to take his spot in the rotation. A backup PF/small ball C would be a better fit IMO.

[Old Style]

I like Walker Kessler but I'm not sure how great of on NBA player he will be.

[stitchface]

Eason sounds like the next scottie pippen . . . :-k

[Regular Show]

[UMFan83]

Not sure how I feel about Gobert rumors. It feels a little like signing Ben Wallace. I know, they are different players and at different stages of their careers, and this current team needs a defensive anchor much more than the 06 Bulls did, but its a lot of money and trade pieces for an elite defensive center. If you make this move you are basically saying that Gobert is the missing piece for a championship run. Assuming LaVine signs the max you are riding with DeRozan, LaVine, Gobert as your big 3 the next 2 seasons and probably don't have much flexibility to drastically alter things beyond that. Advanced stats show he is truly a difference-maker, and he solves 2 of the 3 biggest Bulls deficiencies in defense and a big man (3rd being high volume shooter). A big man who can defend is even more important in the east with Embiid and Giannis standing in the way.

 

I guess if you are going to ride with this talented but somewhat flawed group (instead of blowing it up), then its a defensible move, but I'm not sure it will bring the Bulls a title or even legitimate contention in the East.

[raw]

Not sure how I feel about Gobert rumors. It feels a little like signing Ben Wallace. I know, they are different players and at different stages of their careers, and this current team needs a defensive anchor much more than the 06 Bulls did, but its a lot of money and trade pieces for an elite defensive center. If you make this move you are basically saying that Gobert is the missing piece for a championship run. Assuming LaVine signs the max you are riding with DeRozan, LaVine, Gobert as your big 3 the next 2 seasons and probably don't have much flexibility to drastically alter things beyond that. Advanced stats show he is truly a difference-maker, and he solves 2 of the 3 biggest Bulls deficiencies in defense and a big man (3rd being high volume shooter). A big man who can defend is even more important in the east with Embiid and Giannis standing in the way.

 

I guess if you are going to ride with this talented but somewhat flawed group (instead of blowing it up), then its a defensible move, but I'm not sure it will bring the Bulls a title or even legitimate contention in the East.

 

The alternative is DeRozan, LaVine and Vooch combo we already know isn't good enough for 1 more year then chasing a big man again this time next year. Or if you go with Ayton then you're locked into him for 4+ years and not sure if he's good enough. I don't see blowing it up until you're out of DeRozan's deal after 23-24.

 

Assuming you don't have to get rid of any of DeRozan, LaVine, Ball, Caruso, Williams, Ayo then I'd prefer the Gobert move. And hope you can add a couple shooters for vet minimum. Probably not good enough, but better than w/ Vooch and maybe you can get a Miami Heat like couple years where the defense is good enough to get you to the East finals or NBA finals with some injuries.

[stitchface]

I have no idea how LaVine could end up in LA.

 

Sign and trade. AD?

 

I don't know... I think the Lakers would want LaVine without having to give up AD in a sign-and-trade. The Bulls would probably try to move Vucevic + additional pieces to get AD and then re-sign LaVine to form a big 3 of DeRozan, LaVine and AD (this trio would be super talented but also pretty scary in terms of health/availability).

 

Also, you don't have to be a basketball savant to know a Russell Westbrook/Zach LaVine backcourt wouldn't work. That's why I said their #1 priority is figuring out a way to dump Westbrook on some team. It very well might be an impossible task this offseason because the Westbrook experiment seems to fail everywhere he goes. The Lakers and their fans can dream I guess.

 

maybe he meant the Clippers . . .

[Regular Show]

 

Two-time All-Star Zach LaVine is expected to re-sign with the Chicago Bulls once the free-agency negotiation period opens June 30, sources told B/R.

 

LaVine's free agency has generated plenty of conversation among NBA personnel over the past few weeks. But despite rumblings that the Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Lakers will make plays for LaVine, the coveted swingman is likely to remain with his current team.

 

Ironing out LaVine's next deal appears centered on the fifth year of the contract. LaVine is eligible for a five-year deal totaling roughly $200 million. Whether that season is fully guaranteed, is a player option or nets other potential outcomes remains to be seen.

[muntjack]

Seems like good news to me.