DJ Bakker has been named the head coach of the Pistons’ new G League franchise, the Motor City Cruise, according to a team press release. Bakker has spent the last three seasons as an assistant and player development coach under Dwane Casey and served as the Pistons’ summer league coach in 2019. Bakker has also worked for the Raptors, Bulls, Mavericks and Magic. Detroit’s previous G League franchise in Grand Rapids, MI will now be the Nuggets’ affiliate.
We have more on the Eastern Conference:
- On paper, the Wizards have improved their 3-point shooting this offseason, Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington notes. Rookie Corey Kispert, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Kyle Kuzma should all upgrade Washington’s perimeter prowess, along with the return of Thomas Bryant from his knee injury. However, Washington still has a number of subpar 3-shooters in its projected rotation.
- The Bulls are driving a hard bargain for suitors of restricted free agent Lauri Markkanen, demanding a first-rounder and no burdensome contracts in return for proposed sign-and-trades. However, Chicago might be better off dropping its asking price and moving on, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago opines. The Bulls created a lot of positive momentum with their offseason moves, so it may not be prudent to bring back a player who has made it clear he’d prefer a fresh start.
- In the same piece, Johnson suggests the Bulls might carry 14 players on the roster — one below the limit — because they have a $5MM trade exception from the Daniel Theis sign-and-trade with the Rockets that they could use during the course of the season. Alternatively, the 15th player could be on a non- or partially-guaranteed contract.
4 teams are really interested in Lauri.
Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans, Boston Celtics, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Considering that the Bulls sent a total of three first-round draft picks for Nikola Vučević and DeMar DeRozan, Bulls are hoping to get some future Firsts in a Markkanen deal.
Bulls overpaid for Nikola Vučević and DeMar DeRozan. Other teams should also overpay for Lauri
Really interested in Lauri? Or just mildly curious to get him cheaply?
The SASpurs wanted Lauri and tried to get him in a sign & trade with Chicago for DeRozan but Lauri wanted more than the SASpurs offered …
The bulls paid fine prices for both players if they make the playoffs the next 3 years, however they should take multiple seconds for lauri and move on
Lauri asking price
4 years $60 million with player option
Bulls asking price
Future Firsts
Doubt Lauri is asking for a 4 year $60 million contract. Lauri and his agent have to be smart enough to know that no team will give him that deal.
If the Bulls can keep Lauri for just the QO contract 1 year @ $9 million, would be a good deal for the Bulls.
If the bulls get him to sign that offer sheet I would assume he will be traded the day he is allowed to be traded but it is true the Spurs were not interested in his asking price in the derozan trade, after watching schröder give up 79 million dollars lauri has to be smart enough to go somewhere for 3 and 30 mil or some ish like that, btw lauri markannen is an empty stat guard in a centers body, if I were the nba I would not sign him, as a bulls fan I pray someone does
Agree with you that if another team were to offer Lauri 3 years $30 million, Lauri should run as fast as he can to sign that contract. IMO Lauri is a good player. A team just has to keep their expectations realistic. Lauri is not Greek freak but he does have offensive talent.
He was soft often but flashed toughness at times after his injuries maybe a new Agent is needed & less greed by the Bulls for thinking a 60M/1st rounder.?say what ‼️
Thanks Mr Boylen for analyzing the toughness quotient. Now go back to playing foosball with your brother in law.
So you’re his agent?
Markkanen is worth a 1st rd pick. But I’d try and get him as cheap as possible. All three Texas teams should be looking at Markkanen.
At this point it sure looks like Lauri is going back to the Bulls on a QO. Lauri doesn’t want to lock himself in to a multiyear deal below what he thinks he’s worth, but teams don’t want to give him market value and surrender additional compensation. Meanwhile the Bulls don’t want to give him away when he can play a useful role for them (not to mention he could have trade value at the deadline and would likely waive the no trade clause attached to the QO for the sake of a fresh start). This stalemate could end in a pretty awkward reunion.
Think your comment is very well stated.
The bulls are gonna get stuck with this kid. He isn’t worth a 1st.
He’s worth a non-lottery first just based on having a solid offensive skillset.
Agree with you. Lauri is worth more than the late 1st round picks, the 20 – 30 picks. If a late 1st round pick is all that is being offered to the Bulls, then the Bulls should just try to keep Lauri for the QO contract $9 million for one season.
I think he’s worth 9-12 million and could impress. Definitely worth a 1st round for teams picking 20-30. If Dallas did a 1st and 2nd, around 10mil/year I’d do that deal. 2 years $20-24mil is doable. I think everyone is playing chicken, but with the right playmaker and team D, he’d be a solid sign.
Lauri should/might just play the year out in CHI and proove he deserves a better contract next year.
Same people calling him an empty Stat player we’re calling him a future star until he got injured. If healthy he can play passable D while shooting the lights out and grabbing enough boards to remind you he is seven foot tall.
LM was excellent his second year in the league. Needs to stay healthy and be in the right situation.
Or go home crying to his mama in Finland and become a herring fisherman.
He definitely wants 15M per season, but may settle for a 1-2 year deal to try to play himself into a larger deal afterwards.I don’t know how possible it would be, but I’d like to see the 76ers/Blazers/Bulls pull off a 3 team deal where the
Bulls getting Tobias Harris, Jaden Springer, Anfernee Simons,Robert Covington 2 PHI 2nd rd picks,2 PORT 2nd RD picks.
Portland getting Ben Simmons, Coby White, Tomas Satoransky, Troy Brown,Isiah Joe Anthony, Anthony Tolliver and 76ers 1st rd picks in ’22, ’24 and ’26
76ers getting Damian Lillard, Lauri Markkanen, and Denzel Valentine
I didn’t look up exact salaries or any weird NBA trade rules on this, but I think it will be close $ wise and talent wise. If anyone cares to tell me that something in here breaks a rule, or that any of the 3 teams would NEVER go for this, I’m interested in any feedback.
Satoransky is gone so that deal will not work. Not to mention they ain’t trading White and Markannen for those guys.
Like I said, I wasn’t too involved in keeping tabs on things. I read the post, and being a 76ers fan who is hoping for Dame, and also liked Markkanen as a fit here, I took 5 min and tried, lol
First hiccup in your trade scenario is that Sato got traded to NOP in the Lonzo deal.