On the surface, the Bulls’ three-year agreement with free agent Jalen Smith may not seem like a big deal. But The Athletic’s Darnell Mayberry believes the former Pacers big man could be due for a breakout season.
Smith fits into the Bulls’ aim of getting younger and more athletic. He’s adept at rim-running and offensive rebounding and he’ll improve their interior defense, Mayberry writes, adding that Smith could even become the starter if Nikola Vucevic is dealt.
We have more from the Central Division:
- An NBA insider tells The Chicago Sun-Times’ Joe Cowley that the relationship between Zach LaVine and the Bulls’ top brass is completely shattered and “filled with mistrust.” The Bulls are trying hard to move LaVine and his big contract. If they fail in those efforts before training camp, the front office and ownership would consider that the worst-case scenario.
- With the Cavaliers getting Donovan Mitchell to agree to an extension, the gamble they made in agreeing to that blockbuster 2022 deal with Utah has paid off for the team and the city, Jason Lloyd of The Athletic opines. Mitchell’s presence in the Cleveland lineup will keep it in contention for the foreseeable future, he adds.
- The Bucks have salary-cap issues and will have to rely more on their younger players to fill in the gaps. Coach Doc Rivers isn’t fazed by that prospect, he told Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “We wanted young talent. We did,” Rivers said. “We think that skill development in our league is becoming more and more important. The more of the young talent you can get to bring up with the veteran talent, the better. And that’s what we’re going to do all summer. Free agency is here right now, and now we’re looking for other guys, more veterans, to add to the mix. I like the mix of guys I think we’re going to end up with and it’s exactly the ratio that we want right now.”
- The Bucks have finalized their coaching staff, Eric Nehm of The Athletic tweets. The Bucks have hired Darvin Ham, Greg Buckner, Jason Love and Spencer Rivers as additions to the staff this summer. Dave Joerger, Rex Kalamian, Pete Dominguez, Joe Prunty and Vin Baker will remain on Rivers’ staff.
- The Bucks are adding veteran guard Delon Wright on a one-year deal and Nehm takes a closer look at what he could bring to the rotation.
Trade idea
Warriors get Zach LaVine and Bulls 2028 unprotected First
Bulls get Wiggins, Moody and Looney
Putting that first rounder in there makes it a little more interesting, but I still say there’s No way the Warriors are giving up that much. Lavine is such a question mark right now.
Bulls don’t want those three players. Might as well just keep LaVine.
I don’t see why the Bulls would SEND an unprotected 1st. Maybe a protected first. 1-20 or whatever.
Wiggins has value in a trade, Moody you could get something for. Looney is a good player for Chicago to have with them playing Giannis.
But not for the 1st.
Hey bot, Bulls would have to waive someone since they don’t have enough roster slots for that to work. Maybe they could send a scrub into Philly or Detroit cap space.
If warriors said no to a straight up Paul/Wiggins and LaVine swap, they aren’t going to want to throw in more of their necessary depth to take on a scorer when they already have Kuminga.
Guaranteed Doc Rivers doesn’t even know half the players on the team, even by name
I was thinking this exact same thing. Old man couldn’t even mention a single younger player he’s actually excited about ..lol
The Bucks were incredibly ignorant, amd they’ve been making alot of forced, dumb decisions lately out of desperation. In doing so, they’ve severely limited their roster flexibility, destroyed their depth, and Doc was just the icing on the cake…lol
It has been panic move to panic move starting with firing Coach Bud. If Stevens’ Celtics are the Master Class in how to build around your stars, the Horst Bucks are the antithesis.
Bulls considering Lavine being with the team the “worst case scenario” basically confirms they will be stupid enough to attach a pick to move Lavine. Literally just hold on to him, its not like they are competing or like hes going to win you games.
Bulls should keep LaVine. When healthy LaVine is a tremendous scorer. Repair the relationship.
If LaVine is so bothered by the Bulls trying to trade him in order to finally enter a proper rebuild, I’d say he’s the problem in that relationship. Constantly injured, due big money, plays zero defense, and has never come closer to leading a team to winning (if anything, they played better without him). If he can’t face reality, that’s on him and not the team
Wholeheartedly agreed!
Luka doesn’t play any more defense than LaVine. Bulls are in a situation in which they have to deal with reality and make the best decision possible. If the Bulls can’t get back value than the Bulls should just keep LaVine for now. Haven’t read of anyone saying anything negative about LaVine on a personal level. It is in LaVine’s best interest to get back on the court and perform well.
Do you really need 10 coaches to babysit 15 players? Almost a coach per player? Hope that includes the strength and conditioning guys.
Bulls are slowly going in the right direction. Smith is a nice signing. They weren’t going anywhere with the old core. Too bad to be more than a play-in team, too good to bottom out. They have some interesting young guys now.
What about Lavine for Simmons?
Two unwantsd players, but Nets would take on two times 43 million in salary, so should get two first rounders + swap, 2nd round and/or cash for it.
Dont really see who else would want to screw up their roster to take on Lavine…
If the Bulls are serious about rebuilding, no way they should consider attaching picks to dump Lavine. They already owe their 2025 1st to the Spurs and don’t have a 2nd until 2028. They do have an incoming Portland 1st but that’s lottery protected and may not convey at all depending on how that rebuild progresses. Things can change quickly in the NBA–repair the relationship if possible and see what 6-18 months brings. Worst case scenario, they’re still trying to dump him at a negative valuation, but at least then his contract will be that much shorter.
Agreed. At absolute worst, they can do what the Pistons did with Josh Smith and waive-and-stretch him. Unlike Smith, they probably won’t be paying for it for eternity. Heck, they could even just straight-up waive him. Having an albatross on their salary sheet would help them tank.
Stretch and waiving Lavine is the Bulls best option. No one is trading for him with that kind of injury history, nor does he want to be there and the Bulls don’t want him there either.
Addition by subtraction.