Trade & FA 2024-25:

[SleepingHero]

Evan Sidery (@esidery)
Due to the DeMar DeRozan sign-and-trade with the Spurs in 2021, the Bulls do not technically own their 2025 first-round pick.
Chicago’s pick is top-10 protected, so they are fully incentivized to potentially attempt to bottom out in what is regarded as an elite draft class.

I know DeRozan doesn't have many fans here and he will require a SnT (thus hardcapping at 178), but as a 3rd scorer he'd be overqualified. 
Teams can't just leave DeRozan like they can DJJ. Sure he's not a knockdown 3pt shooter, but 1 dribble and he's at his bread and butter mid range where he's nearly 50% at. That's on top of his ability to get to (and finish) at the rim. He can also facilitate very well for a wing. His defense isn't bad as well. Is he elite? No. But he is still mobile enough to hang with anyone on the perimeter and smart enough to be in the right places. 

If he could be had for 22mil, a trade of THJ+Green+2025 FRP for a 3yr 70mil deal is a pretty great one on paper. Such a deal would leave the Mavs salary right at 171mil and will still allow DJJ to take the 1+1 TP-MLE.

If DJJ balks, I'd then turn to Portland and try to swing a trade for Thybulle using Hardy+Powell+2nds. That'd put the Mavs right at the 1st apron.

Roster:

Player                  Salary           Notes
1 Doncic              43,031,940
2 Irving               41,000,000     ULTBE $1,000,000
3 DeRozan           22,500,000
4 PJ Washington   15,500,000     ULTBE $500,000
5 Gafford             13,394,160
6 Thybulle            11,000,000
7 Maxi                 11,000,000
8 Lively                 5,014,560
9 Exum                  3,150,000     Team Option 6/28
10 Omax               2,870,400
11 Morris               2,093,637




Dead                     2,208,856    McGee

Total Salary         172,763,553 

                                               Space Under/(Over)
First Apron          178,655,000      2,403,561
Second Apron      189,486,000    13,234,561

Lineups:

Luka
Kyrie/Exum
DeRozan/Thybulle
PJ/Maxi/OMax/Morris
Gafford/Lively

Mavs will have 3 roster spots to fill with vet players and about 6 mil to do it. Based off these lineups, they need at least 2 more guards. Eric Gordon comes to mind as 1 vet. shooter. Patty Mills is another. Finally another backup center to replace Powell. Does Love want to come ring chase?

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

I know DeRozan doesn't have many fans here and he will require a SnT (thus hardcapping at 178), but as a 3rd scorer he'd be overqualified. 
Teams can't just leave DeRozan like they can DJJ. Sure he's not a knockdown 3pt shooter, but 1 dribble and he's at his bread and butter mid range where he's nearly 50% at. That's on top of his ability to get to (and finish) at the rim. He can also facilitate very well for a wing. His defense isn't bad as well. Is he elite? No. But he is still mobile enough to hang with anyone on the perimeter and smart enough to be in the right places. 

If he could be had for 22mil, a trade of THJ+Green+2025 FRP for a 3yr 70mil deal is a pretty great one on paper. Such a deal would leave the Mavs salary right at 171mil and will still allow DJJ to take the 1+1 TP-MLE.

If DJJ balks, I'd then turn to Portland and try to swing a trade for Thybulle using Hardy+Powell+2nds. That'd put the Mavs right at the 1st apron.

Roster:

Player                  Salary           Notes
1 Doncic              43,031,940
2 Irving               41,000,000     ULTBE $1,000,000
3 DeRozan           22,500,000
4 PJ Washington   15,500,000     ULTBE $500,000
5 Gafford             13,394,160
6 Thybulle            11,000,000
7 Maxi                 11,000,000
8 Lively                 5,014,560
9 Exum                  3,150,000     Team Option 6/28
10 Omax               2,870,400
11 Morris               2,093,637




Dead                     2,208,856    McGee

Total Salary         172,763,553 

                                               Space Under/(Over)
First Apron          178,655,000      2,403,561
Second Apron      189,486,000    13,234,561

Lineups:

Luka
Kyrie/Exum
DeRozan/Thybulle
PJ/Maxi/OMax/Morris
Gafford/Lively

Mavs will have 3 roster spots to fill with vet players and about 6 mil to do it. Based off these lineups, they need at least 2 more guards. Eric Gordon comes to mind as 1 vet. shooter. Patty Mills is another. Finally another backup center to replace Powell. Does Love want to come ring chase?

I hadn't thought about DeRozan.  Luka, Kyrie, and DeRozan is a shit ton of offense.  How is his defense these days?

[SleepingHero]

Evan Sidery (@esidery)
The Bulls are in active trade talks with the Jazz and Sixers centered around Zach LaVine, per @KCJHoop (https://www.nbcsportschicago.com/nba/chi...ge/570880/).

After Chicago traded Alex Caruso, LaVine being shipped out appears imminent.

[SleepingHero]

I hadn't thought about DeRozan.  Luka, Kyrie, and DeRozan is a shit ton of offense.  How is his defense these days?

Defensively he's not at the top of the pyramid, but he's no slouch either. 

He had 1.7 deflections per game last year which was the 33rd percentile, but he ranked in the 89th percentile of defending without fouling. Further he ranked in the top percentiles of rim defense, rim contests, and blocks for a wing. 

He consistently guarded for the Bulls the opposing teams 2nd best player behind Caruso. 

He is supremely underrated offensively on this board. Offensively he's one of the most efficient shot creators for himself inside of the 3pt line. He created about 7 open shots per game for other players, which would put him in the 85th percentile for his position. And of course he's in the 99th percentile in mid range shots.

He can't hit a 3 consistently at all. Which may make him a non-starter. Still, he was a 20ppg efficient bucket and the Mavs have showed they don't really rely on the 3pt ball anyways.

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Evan Sidery (@esidery)
The Bulls are in active trade talks with the Jazz and Sixers centered around Zach LaVine, per @KCJHoop (https://www.nbcsportschicago.com/nba/chi...ge/570880/).

After Chicago traded Alex Caruso, LaVine being shipped out appears imminent.

The Caruso trade seems to help both teams.  Giddey's more natural position is PG.  Caruso is a huge experience and defensive upgrade.

[The Jom]

What do you all think of a Vuc for Gafford deal? I do like Gaff a lot. But I can’t look completely past his inability to shoot the 3 and struggle to defend it. Of course, Vuc isn’t gonna defend it either. But he sure as heck can shoot that sucker. Also, Maxi and Vuc would be quite the versatile pair of centers to flex next to Lively for the next couple of years.

Further, wondering if this is a June trade and we could mooch some of that Jazz cap space by joining the LaVine discussions as facilitators. Wouldn’t a tanking Bulls team prefer Hardaway’s expiring to the longer contracts Utah would have to send? Could Gaff and Tim net you Vuc and Dosunmu? Is that an upgrade?

[Mavs2021]

Evan Sidery (@esidery)
The Bulls are in active trade talks with the Jazz and Sixers centered around Zach LaVine, per @KCJHoop (https://www.nbcsportschicago.com/nba/chi...ge/570880/).

After Chicago traded Alex Caruso, LaVine being shipped out appears imminent.

Yes send him to Utah for peanuts and watch him revive his career. Since the West is not good enough already. Let´s send Young + DeRozan to the Spurs and D. Murray to Portland, so we can have sixteen 0.500 teams in one conference, while Boston wins 70 games on autopilot in the Least.

[SleepingHero]

https://x.com/dalton_trigg/status/1803958920538657209

Dalton Trigg (@dalton_trigg)
Paul George in Dallas doing the ESPN pregame / halftime stuff during the finals

Paul George saying he wants to go somewhere where they play basketball the right way

Windy saying there’s a player out there who could see himself fitting in nicely with this current Mavs group

reports today that Sixers are losing interest in pursuing George & Clippers being weird about giving him an extension

[SleepingHero]

Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
The Philadelphia 76ers' interest in pursuing Paul George has significantly waned in recent days, and the franchise is expected to be aggressive elsewhere with its salary cap flexibility and draft capital leading into next week’s NBA Draft, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

[Mavs2021]

https://x.com/dalton_trigg/status/1803958920538657209

Dalton Trigg (@dalton_trigg)
Paul George in Dallas doing the ESPN pregame / halftime stuff during the finals

Paul George saying he wants to go somewhere where they play basketball the right way

Windy saying there’s a player out there who could see himself fitting in nicely with this current Mavs group

reports today that Sixers are losing interest in pursuing George & Clippers being weird about giving him an extension

200/4 for a 34 year old that missed the post-season two years ago and averaged 20/7/5 this year. An awesome game four was more than counter-balanced by awful games three, four and six, where he averaged 13 PPG on 30/22/90-ish shooting, when the Clippers needed him to step up offensively. 

We have seen the hot potato contract of CP3 at the tail end of his career. I can understand that teams are not interested to commit that much money to PG13. 

If he comes down with his demands significantly, he´ll find a team. This reminds me a bit of Harden last year, when he suddenly realized that nobody is willing to pay him. He changed his mind and opted into his final year of his deal. Could see the same happening here.

[SleepingHero]

https://x.com/dalton_trigg/status/1803958920538657209

Dalton Trigg (@dalton_trigg)
Paul George in Dallas doing the ESPN pregame / halftime stuff during the finals

Paul George saying he wants to go somewhere where they play basketball the right way

Windy saying there’s a player out there who could see himself fitting in nicely with this current Mavs group

reports today that Sixers are losing interest in pursuing George & Clippers being weird about giving him an extension

Perhaps there is an Opt-in, trade, and extend scenario for the Clippers and Dallas.

Mavs have to send out Maxi, THJ, Green, and Hardy. Now I don't think the Clippers would want any of those guys save maybe Green and Maxi. But perhaps we can send out the other guys to a 3rd and 4th team that can bring back stuff the Clippers would want. 

Mavs are no longer bound by the 178 hard cap in this world. They have 3 roster spots left. If DJJ re-ups for his 1+1 then the backup wing position is filled and the Mavs just have to focus on a backup guard and a hopeful stretch 5. This deal also hopes that OMax could take another step. 

Luka/-----
Kyrie/Exum
PG13/----/
PJ/OMax/Morris
Gafford/Lively/Powell

[SleepingHero]

200/4 for a 34 year old that missed the post-season two years ago and averaged 20/7/5 this year. An awesome game four was more than counter-balanced by awful games three, four and six, where he averaged 13 PPG on 30/22/90-ish shooting, when the Clippers needed him to step up offensively. 

We have seen the hot potato contract of CP3 at the tail end of his career. I can understand that teams are not interested to commit that much money to PG13. 

If he comes down with his demands significantly, he´ll find a team. This reminds me a bit of Harden last year, when he suddenly realized that nobody is willing to pay him. He changed his mind and opted into his final year of his deal. Could see the same happening here.

Just saying, Paul George as a 3rd option is quite literally the perfect role for him. When he has no pressure he is a nightly 25ppg guy that can be demoralizing along with amazing perimeter defense. 

His health is always a concern, but he was pretty healthy last year.

[ballsrchr]

I like Demar DeRozen. I've wanted him for years. Same goes for Vuc.

I also appreciate what Gafford has done for the team. A quandry.

What to do? What to do?...

[BigDirk41]

I don't think we have the assets to get PG-13.

[SleepingHero]

I don't think we have the assets to get PG-13.

In the player empowerment era, assets rarely make the difference. 

If PG says trade me to Dallas or I opt out and leave you with nothing, then the Clippers don't have much of a choice.

Mavs will obviously send them 2 FRP for their troubles (including a highly attractive 2031 FRP). Clippers get salary relief and now only have 2 all-stars and Westbrook.

[Chicagojk]

Paul George would be perfect in Dallas. I just don’t see any chance it is happening.

No surprise he doesn’t want to go to Philly. Why leave home to play with another injured superstar and a fanbase that will hate if you have one bad playoff series.

[BigDirk41]

The Brooklyn Way (@Jersey2Brooklyn)
“Donovan Mitchell could refuse another extension from Cleveland, which could force the Cavaliers to move him. Expect the Nets to be at the front of the queue if that happens.”

In the player empowerment era, assets rarely make the difference. 

If PG says trade me to Dallas or I opt out and leave you with nothing, then the Clippers don't have much of a choice.

Mavs will obviously send them 2 FRP for their troubles (including a highly attractive 2031 FRP). Clippers get salary relief and now only have 2 all-stars and Westbrook.

I don't see it happening, but sign me up for this trade if it's possible.

[SleepingHero]

For what it's worth, this was PG today on his podcast. 6 mins of defending Luka and complimenting him. He also mentioned many times in this clip how if he were on Luka's team he'd make him bring out more effort defensively, which was interesting to me to say the least.

https://x.com/PodcastPShow/status/1803499386892329260

Podcast P with Paul George (@PodcastPShow)
PG: “As good as he is offensively, it’s a reason he’s half a**ing on defense. It’s hard to do that for a whole game.”

Dallas: “If you were building a team, would you rather take Jrue or Luka?”

PG: “Imma take the bigger talent… Luka”

PG, Dallas, & Jackie on Luka’s defense.

[SleepingHero]

And for my last spam post:

[KillerLeft]

Yes, Paul George is a perfect fit, basketball wise, and yes, he'd be perfectly cast here as the third guy. He checks all the boxes we've discussed recently, and while he's not the impact defender he used to be, he's no slouch, and his offense would probably be so additive (in the right system, which is far from a given) that Dallas would be ahead of the game in the wash.

But, he's 34, and they'd have to give up young assets to get much older overnight, plus the last of their draft capital. Not ideal, in my book.

Plus, the Clippers, moving into a new arena and still desperately hoping to be relevant, will eventually meet him in the middle, at least. Plus, he's an LA guy, and after working to get back to play in LA, I doubt he's going to move away if he has any choice. I'd say there's roughly a 98% chance anything we hear from/about him is carefully crafted to pressure the Clippers into upping their offer, and I'll go a step further and suggest that if Morey's interest is "waning," it probably has something to do with the realization that PG isn't really all that interested in leaving LA.

I think the LeBron thing has less than a 1% chances of happening, and I'd put the chances of Paul George happening at even less, I think. We should really do our hopes a favor and get them up for things that are actually possible.