2024-25 Team Developments: Trades / Free Agents / News / Rumors / Ideas

1) Chicago

They had some real offers for AC last year. They dump him to OKC for Giddy. That's fine if you want another ball handler, but I can throw a dart and hit 50 better than Giddy. You couldn't get any of those guys? Also OKC has 600 draft picks. You didn't get ONE?! What the f*** are you doing? Is this blow it up time?

2) that's actually bad news about Monk. I had him above DLO for Orlando. He now moves up the board for them, even if they're chasing George.

 

You can't win a chip on a shoestring budget either though. I mean damn... Phoenix, Boston, Denver, and Minnesota, all, will have a payroll over 190M next season. 3 of those teams are in the West. The Bucks and Heat are at 182M. We are at 178M, with Golden State, Flippers, Dallas and Memphis, all nipping at our heels at 172M-174M.

 

I think a lot of Magic fans had been hoping they could sign Monk. Seems they need a scoring guard.

Hoping Monk staying in SAC doesn’t increase Orlando’s chances of pivoting towards DLo

 

Chokeolo must go. Somewhere..anywhere just get Tinkerbell, the hell outta here. Make it happen Rob!!!

I'd take Issac for him with a couple of 2nd rd picks.

 

WTF is a Chokelo? Sounds Pornish MMAish? ROFL.

Presti nailed the right target. Perfect fit in OKC.

 

Lonzo Ball's tenure with Chicago is likely nearing an end, and a buyout is possible, per @DarnellMayberry

“Giddey’s acquisition also further clouds the Bulls’ plans for recovering point guard Lonzo Ball, who hasn’t played since January 2022 but is expected to make a comeback next season. It’s impossible to not view Giddey as insurance in case Ball doesn’t return. By bringing in Giddey, the Bulls also might have signaled they’re ready to move on from Ball. A trade or buyout could be likely.”

Source: Bulls trade two-time All-Defensive guard Alex Caruso to Thunder for Josh Giddey: Source - The Athletic (nytimes.com)

Lonzo anyone?

 

Tinkerbell would fit with White in Chicago. I don't know if they have anything we would want, but a 3 way deal might be possible. No to Lavine tho.

 

Lonzo might need a year off, Shuan Livingston made it back, from some pretty bad knee injuries, and had a decent run as a role player.

 

Not when you add the "Lakers tax"

 

RIP to Donald Sutherland. Was always cool to see him sitting court side at Lakers games.

 

The front office needs to address that by either improving its connections around the league or bringing in guys with good relationships who can get things done.

 

I think he's done honestly.

I also am completely over bringing in guys who end up spending most of the year (or at least significant chunks) injured.

I will take less talented guys who we can count on for 70 or so games over Lonzo, CP3, and others.

 

Hmm, I think he has too much power for the FO to go against him because of THT. I mean we stop trading for Hield and go all-in on Russ last minute because he pushed for it. We fire coaches because of him. And we were going against him because of THT? I don't buy it. If he wanted it, Caruso would be here.
I still blame the ownership for that too, we should have kept both.
AD doesn't have that on him. LeBron was talking for 2 years of wanting someone to handle the ball and carry the torch for him during games

 

OKC had a MVP candidate on their team that pulls the defense. Chicago has?... he's going to get even fewer open looks there.

Still want to see how the rest of their off-season plays out. But this is step one in how to get fired.

 

The front office (and our scouts) legit thought we had a star with THT. They wanted to keep him.

Fourth hand information so do what you will with it, but LeBron really likes Alex, wanted us to resign him, and was surprised we didn't. Especially since Alex was willing to work with us on a contract even if it was for less money.

Jeannie didn't want to spend the cash. I get why people go at LeBron, but not on him this time.

Side note - I always thought that Hield deal was bad. We were right to pivot away from it but unfortunately picked the worst other option available in Russ.

 

What on earth does Presti have on these other GMs?

 

Yeah I think you make good points. THT had a unique built and his ceiling was indeed high. Unfortunately it didn't pay off. I thought it was because he wasn't an ideal fit with LeBron, but he sucked in Utah too. I was surprised by that.

I also think Jeannie is the one to blame. You just have to keep both. Same happened last year when we let Bamba and Beasley walk when they gave us 2 good contracts to deal for a roster upgrade. It's less awful because they were worse than THT/Caruso but it shows the ownership always chooses money over basketball. You can't win chips doing that
Boston got Jrue, White and KP losing only Williams, Brogdon and Smart from their core rotation. That's how you win titles, by trading good contracts of guys that are worse than the guys you receive.

Agree on Hield too, he sucked in Philly. I think he would be fit great with Bron but that trade wouldn't move the needle. Unfortunate that we pivoted for the worse fit in the league.

 

Agreed. That's part of where the criticism of our asset management comes from (at least for me). I get not throwing money away, but there have been some moments where we needed to go ahead and open the checkbook.