2023-24 Team Developments: Trades / Free Agents / News / Rumors / Ideas

I just don't see the vision with DeRozan. Buha points out how a LaVine-Reaves backcourt poses the same defensive issues as Russell Reaves (with which I disagree a bit, LaVine is so much more athletic than Russell and could end up being fine defensively with real size rim protection behind him, which he hasn't had in Chicago), but that applies to a Reaves-DeRozan backcourt as well. DeRozan has been guarding 3s or even 4s for a while now, from a spacing and defensive standpoint I think he only fits with LeBron and AD as a 3, not a 2.

If DeRozan, who still does not space the floor to the three-point line, is playing the 3 next to LeBron and AD, you need a lot of shooting in your backcourt. Problem is, you just traded your best shooter in the backcourt for him (Russell), and your best backcourt player (Reaves) is now relegated to being a spot-up shooter in your closing lineups. If we're also getting Caruso in the deal, Caruso/Reaves/DeRozan/LeBron/AD is just too little shooting. Same problem slotting in Reddish as the 5th guy. We'd probably end up closing with Prince or Vincent in that 5th spot, and I think those lineups lose a lot of the defensive identity we've seen when our wings have been healthy.

I understand why we were interested in DeRozan previously, but Reaves's ascendance has solved a lot of that. In Reaves (and, to a lesser degree, DLO), we found a guy that can relieve LeBron of some ball-handling/half-court scoring responsibility, while still providing value as a spot-up shooter/secondary ball-handler with LeBron. What we need is someone in the same mold as DLO, but more consistently reliable. We don't need another wing that scores in isolation but doesn't space or defend particularly well.

 

Cleveland's point guard Ricky Rubio have begun discussing a possible contract termination, The Athletic reports.

Last summer, the 33-year-old Spaniard announced that he was suspending his career due to psychological problems. The Cavaliers fully supported the player, but expressed hope that he would join the team during the season.

The club had serious doubts that Rubio would resume his NBA career .

 

Why is there a feeling for me that Lavine has some Westbrick vibe about him... except Lavine can shoot and is 28. Both had massive contracts.

I feel like the arguments are almost the same for Lavine as well as for Brick. You're getting this hyper athletic player who may thrive as the 3rd option that should exploit not being guarded by the best player. But then you have questions about his defense, how well he plays in a team setting since he's not a playmaker. The bulls have been playing better WITHOUT lavine recently.

I think we could probably get a similar effect Lavine would bring (which is scoring and offense) without tanking our depth by getting one of the Bogdanovic's.

 

It's not as simple as just needing more offense, we could specifically use more athleticism, shot creation and volume three-point shooting in the backcourt. We could genuinely use what LaVine brings, its more that his contract is bad. I like Bojan Bogdanovic but we're already logjammed in the front court. Bogdan is more intriguing, but I'm not sure he's a great backcourt partner with Reaves. If we're giving up assets to bring someone in, it needs to be someone that fits into our closing lineup around AR, LeBron and AD.

Of all the potential trade targets that have been mentioned the last couple of weeks, Anunoby/Schroder is the most attractive to me. But I'm pretty certain someone else desperate would outbid us for OG.

 

The Nets announced Wednesday that Simmons (back) is progressing in his recovery and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, Ian Begley of SportsNet New York reports.
At one he was considered as next LeBron LMAO
Ben Simmons is a freak athlete like LeBron James”: NBA executives are still comparing Ben to the Lakers star despite his playoff struggles

 

it was jrue holiday, but we couldn't even get in on the bidding there. there aren't many guys like him, either.

honestly--and not just because of how he played against us--i feel like exum could really fit well here. are there other big guards who can handle, defend the point, and knock down enough shots to keep folks honest? it's rare, tbh. the freaking C Bags have like, half of them.

also weirdly, if jhs could knock down a few standstill threes, he could be the guy. but he's two years away from that, and we need that guy now.

and yes, sadly, caruso is definitely that guy.

 

Regarding Jrue. I bet you a 100$, that if MIL knew, he would end up a C bag, they wouldn't go after Dame. No chance in hell

 

yeah, that will be an interesting interview a few years from now. i thought moving on from jrue was pretty wild, even to get dame. jrue's been a high quality player and positive leader/locker room guy his entire career, every stop. nobody's really happily moved on from him.

i remember he was one of the first dominoes to fall in the "process" era in philly, and at the time i thought it was one of the dumbest nba transactions i've seen (and it's proven to be so, imo).

at some point, he's going to age out, but it hasn't happened yet...

 

Caruso is a better offensive player now: you go after him hard.

I just don't know if you eat that Lavine contract to get him though.

He fixes so many problems for the Lakers. POA defense, hes a good rebounder for his position, he can knock down open shots and just get the offense moving with his movement

 

Bulls ain't trading Caruso.. Lakers fault for being idiotic and not retaining him in the first place when you had is bird rights and everything.

 

I can't see the Bulls being too enamored about we would offer to them. I'm sure they're desperate for losers who did nothing against them today.

I think they'll get rid of Lavine because they look great without him and he was too much of a ball stopper, but Caruso is going to be like nearly impossible.

 

Bulls aren't trading Caruso, IMO.

Currently constructed and poorly coached this team is a second round exit at best.

 

Lavine's contract is so bad that I think putting in Caruso is the only way they'll get rid of it.

 

Naw, they aren't getting rid of Caruso. I read Bulls beat writers and read up in that team almost as much as ours, and there is no rhetoric or anything indicating they're getting rid of Caruso.

Ownership, management, and his teammates love him. I wouldn't say he's untouchable, but he is close to it.

 

This is a great point.

PG-Caruso
SG-Reaves
SF-LaVine
PF-James
C-Davis

 

Hmmm… I’m just gonna throw something out there.

LaVine, Caruso, and Drummond for DLo, Rui, Vincent, JHS, Christie, Hayes, and a FRP. I think that works salary wise, but maybe needs some creative inclusion of a third team to actually make sense.

Lavine / Caruso
Reddish / Reaves
Prince /
James / Vanderbilt
Davis / Drummond / Wood

Who says no to that, us or Chicago?

 

3 for 5 players?

 

Hence the need for a third team, you’re right it wouldn’t make sense for Chicago to absorb too many extra players

Also… it’s almost Christmas so I’m drunk and frustrated at the state of the team lol, don’t take anything I say too seriously