czman
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I know some people will argue that the Bulls should not go into a total rebuild. I would prefer not to convolute this thread with that discussion. Let’s just pretend that the Bulls are going into one. This is how I would proceed. (at least I tried)
Note here is why (in case anyone cares):
I think they are better off blowing it up now. They are not good enough to make an impact in the playoffs, if they even make it, and they are not a young team. I know people like Butler a lot and want to build around him. The problem is he’s not good enough to be the best player on a title team. Additionally, he is probably at his absolute peak value right now. His long term health and has to be a question. He plays a very physical game and is undersized for the SF. He is not a great shooter and gets much of his value from FTs, and those come at a price to his body. As he ages and his legs start to go, can he really continue to be affective? I think he could have a steep drop off around 30.
Here is a basic total rebuild option. The Pelicans are 1 game back of the 8th spot and have multiple bad contracts that will saddle them for now and the next couple of years. They have to find a way to show improvement and get out from under some of the bad deals. Davis is not going to stay happy forever.
Pelicans get
Wade
Bulls get:
Solomon hill (3/37mil left after this year)
Omar Asik. (2/22mil left and team option in 3rd year)
First round pick.
The Pelicans get Wade and his leadership this season. He can be an expiring contract if they want next season. At a minimum they get 20+ million off the books 1 season sooner save another 13 million the following year.
This next deal would be with Thibs, and that may be a hard one. The Timberwolves 1.5 games out and also have a few bad contracts. Thibs has a style of play and the Bulls can help him. We know he always wants to win.
Bulls get:
Cole Aldrich (7.3 mil next season following year is not guaranteed)
Pekovic (done but still on the books this year and next for 11 mil.)
First round pick.
Timberwolves get
Lopez (Long term option at a market fair price.)
Gibson (expiring contract.)
The Timberwolves will still be under the capo, but they save money get rid of two bad contracts next season and talent for the short term and long term. We also know that Thibs likes Gibson a lot.
The Celtics are 3rd in the East and 1.5 games behind the Raptors. I am sure they would really like to get to the ECF.
Bulls get
Zeller (not guaranteed next season)
Crowder (3/22 so a team friendly contract)
Jerebko (expiring)
Celtics get
Butler
Mirotic (expiring)
First round picks (nets) (Celtics keep the rights to swap picks in 2017)
The Celtics get a long term “star” with a team friendly contract and Mirotic who is better than Jerebko and an expiring deal.
The Clippers are 3rd and are getting nothing out of the SF spot.
Bulls flip Crowder to the Celtics for Wesley Johnson, Paul pierce and a first round pick.
Pierce is done and gets 3.5 million next season. Johnson is no good and gets 6 million next season and a team buy out the following year. The Clippers solve a problem at SF and save money next year. They also get a team friendly contract, something they don’t have much of, and a player who is willing to do some of the dirty work. And dirty work players are something they don’t have.
Not all of the picks should be for this year. The Timberwolves probably should since they are on the rise. The Clippers pick should be for 202x or so when they very well might be a terrible team. Plus it is easier to give up a 202x pick then next seasons. The Pelicans don’t have a pick this year so the Bulls can try to get a 202x pick from them.
Moves like this could give the Bulls extra first round picks first years. Additionally, with a total rebuild and the Nets 1st round pick this season and 2018, plus the fact that the Bulls will be terrible, it could be a very short rebuild process. They Bulls could legitimately have two top 3 picks in 2018. The extra picks 202x will only help the team sustain success if they can hit on someone.
Note here is why (in case anyone cares):
I think they are better off blowing it up now. They are not good enough to make an impact in the playoffs, if they even make it, and they are not a young team. I know people like Butler a lot and want to build around him. The problem is he’s not good enough to be the best player on a title team. Additionally, he is probably at his absolute peak value right now. His long term health and has to be a question. He plays a very physical game and is undersized for the SF. He is not a great shooter and gets much of his value from FTs, and those come at a price to his body. As he ages and his legs start to go, can he really continue to be affective? I think he could have a steep drop off around 30.
Here is a basic total rebuild option. The Pelicans are 1 game back of the 8th spot and have multiple bad contracts that will saddle them for now and the next couple of years. They have to find a way to show improvement and get out from under some of the bad deals. Davis is not going to stay happy forever.
Pelicans get
Wade
Bulls get:
Solomon hill (3/37mil left after this year)
Omar Asik. (2/22mil left and team option in 3rd year)
First round pick.
The Pelicans get Wade and his leadership this season. He can be an expiring contract if they want next season. At a minimum they get 20+ million off the books 1 season sooner save another 13 million the following year.
This next deal would be with Thibs, and that may be a hard one. The Timberwolves 1.5 games out and also have a few bad contracts. Thibs has a style of play and the Bulls can help him. We know he always wants to win.
Bulls get:
Cole Aldrich (7.3 mil next season following year is not guaranteed)
Pekovic (done but still on the books this year and next for 11 mil.)
First round pick.
Timberwolves get
Lopez (Long term option at a market fair price.)
Gibson (expiring contract.)
The Timberwolves will still be under the capo, but they save money get rid of two bad contracts next season and talent for the short term and long term. We also know that Thibs likes Gibson a lot.
The Celtics are 3rd in the East and 1.5 games behind the Raptors. I am sure they would really like to get to the ECF.
Bulls get
Zeller (not guaranteed next season)
Crowder (3/22 so a team friendly contract)
Jerebko (expiring)
Celtics get
Butler
Mirotic (expiring)
First round picks (nets) (Celtics keep the rights to swap picks in 2017)
The Celtics get a long term “star” with a team friendly contract and Mirotic who is better than Jerebko and an expiring deal.
The Clippers are 3rd and are getting nothing out of the SF spot.
Bulls flip Crowder to the Celtics for Wesley Johnson, Paul pierce and a first round pick.
Pierce is done and gets 3.5 million next season. Johnson is no good and gets 6 million next season and a team buy out the following year. The Clippers solve a problem at SF and save money next year. They also get a team friendly contract, something they don’t have much of, and a player who is willing to do some of the dirty work. And dirty work players are something they don’t have.
Not all of the picks should be for this year. The Timberwolves probably should since they are on the rise. The Clippers pick should be for 202x or so when they very well might be a terrible team. Plus it is easier to give up a 202x pick then next seasons. The Pelicans don’t have a pick this year so the Bulls can try to get a 202x pick from them.
Moves like this could give the Bulls extra first round picks first years. Additionally, with a total rebuild and the Nets 1st round pick this season and 2018, plus the fact that the Bulls will be terrible, it could be a very short rebuild process. They Bulls could legitimately have two top 3 picks in 2018. The extra picks 202x will only help the team sustain success if they can hit on someone.