Thaddeus Young would be a valuable veteran addition for any contender, but teammate Zach LaVine hopes the Bulls decide to keep him, writes Rob Schaefer of NBC Sports Chicago. Young’s name has been in the rumor mill for several weeks as Chicago remains on the edge of playoff contention at 19-24. LaVine would prefer to see Young help his current team in the postseason.
“We all understand his value and how good he is and what a championship or high-rising playoff team could get out of him,” LaVine said. “… Obviously, I want him here. I think he helps me and helps the team tremendously. But obviously if something were to happen you just want the best situation for a guy like that.”
Young has been a locker room leader and a productive bench presence in his 14th NBA season, averaging 12.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and a career-high 4.4 assists per game. He has avoided any public speculation about what might happen before Thursday’s deadline.
“As long as I’m here, I’m here to do a job and that’s my focus, is to do the job that I’m here to do, which is help these young guys and continue to play as hard as I can each and every night and help try to continue to win,” Young said. “Haven’t really worried too much about the trade situation or haven’t discussed it, not talked about it. Nor do I really even care to talk about it. If it happens, it happens, I understand it’s a part of the business, and I understand how the business works.”
There’s more from Chicago:
- Coby White doesn’t appear to have benefited from his recent move to a reserve role, notes Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. The second-year guard posted negative plus-minus ratings in his last three games, but he could move back into the starting lineup if the Bulls opt to trade Tomas Satoransky.
- Garrett Temple was active tonight after sitting out the past six games with a sprained left ankle, Cowley adds in the same story. “I think he’s progressed pretty well,’’ coach Billy Donovan said. “You know, with the limited practice that we had he got a workout in, some (Tuesday). And then he was able to do quite a bit more (Wednesday). So he feels actually pretty good.”
- The Pelicans‘ asking price for Lonzo Ball may be too high for the Bulls, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago states in a mailbag column. Although Chicago has been rumored as a possible destination for Ball, New Orleans is asking for a first-round pick in return, which Johnson doesn’t believe Chicago’s new front office is willing to part with.
If Karniceria does not have a plan to draft a productive point guard in the next draft, there is no reason to hold on to a first round pick. As it stands, he would likely have to trade up to get anyone as good as Lonzo. I hope he has not fallen in love with this mediocre roster.
Bulls aren’t winning the title this year, ball is a free agent at the end of the season and wants money New Orleans won’t pay, bulls can pay him what he wants in the offseason and still keep their first rounder, trading Coby white for him makes sense because Coby is a far worse version of a Zach lavine and he is not adjusting to being a scoring 6th man at all
325 trade talks, zero trade deal
Bulls could do Bledsoe, Ball, and Redick for Porter and Satoransky. Solves the PG issue, they can reup Ball. They don’t have a lot of future salary commitments and they won’t have to give up a pick if they take on Bledsoe. They buyout Redick. NOP wants out of Bledsoe and is willing to attach Ball to do so. Win Win.
Bledsoe is only partially guaranteed for 2023 for 3.9M. So he gets waived June 2022.
No way NO does that
There’s literally an article on here that says they are using Ball to get rid of Bledsoe.
Doesn’t mean that NO would do that deal. Durrr
I could be wrong but I have to imagine the play in has some significant impact on all of this. Team like the Bulls might be more active if they didn’t think they had some outside shot.
Would never happen but still think a straight swap Ingram and Ball for LaVine and Markeneen.
Chicago who isn’t exactly going anywhere gets a fresh start with a wave of talent. Ingram and Lonzo come in a freshen things up, along with Patrick Williams at the 4 they would be much better defensively as a team and still would be good offensively. Between the starters of Ball Porter Ingram Williams and Carter Jr they can all pass the ball around nicely and have some shooting ability. With Thad Young and Coby White to come off the bench.
NO builds around Zion by getting LaVine who is an elite offensive talent that’s also very athletic and they would be great as a duo. Markeneen comes in as a stretch big which also helps open up the floor and having him share the court with Adams and Zion they could be excellent defensively on the inside. This team gets worse defensively on the perimeter but a lot stronger down low. They would win games by forcing their opponents to drive into a strong paint and offensively you’d have a hard time stopping Zion and LaVine with Adams screens and Markeneen giving you some spacing
Great idea but LaVine would have to agree to re-up upon completion of deal to make it work
2 interesting franchises to link tho, both have major flaws who could probably help each other in the right scenario…
Pelicans with two all stars and good role players should be better than the 11th seed, currently with 19 wins equal with the rebuilding Thunder with no all stars.
Same with the Bulls, not much progress from last year, currently the 10th seed with 19 wins.
Think this would boost the Pelicans a lot. They would be very fun and exciting to watch and should do well. Bulls just get a fresh start with some new talent. Hopefully can do better to build around Ingram. Hornets and Knicks have 22 wins and sit 4th and 6th respectively. Bulls could make this move, resign Ball (using Porters deal) and have money to spend making a better bench to try launch themselves into a playoff team
Big Al says hello!
Bulls don’t project to be good enough to be willing to give up their own picks but I could see a three way deal which nets the pick going to the Pels. Don’t know which team (that’s for AK to figure out lol) but hypothetically Thad or Lauri could get them a first that could then be flipped. Could even move someone like Sato or Denzel as well, either directly to NO or to get another young piece/seconds. If they want Ball they should figure out a way to make it happen. Regardless they need to do something cuz this isn’t working and they need to try to make a real playoff push next year to keep Zach engaged.
“If they want Ball they should figure out a way” was my original point.
Don’t like Ball, seems like too much of a diva, wouldn’t trust him to re-sign in the summer. There’s a reason this man’s about to be on his 3rd team in 4 years. Also, looking at his FT% and FG%, it looks like this year he decided to try or practice or somethin, for someone whose life has revolved around basketball since birth seemingly, it’s odd that he would finally learn to shoot in his 4th NBA season
Bulls you got a good player or 2 at every position that’s a good team don’t get drunk on trading