[ndbigdaveParticipant]

 

 

Granted, to "move up" it means a team would have to want to move down and be enticed to do so. Based on some of the pre-draft rumors (or BS depending on who you ask) both Memphis and Denver have been rumored to be willing to move around. The Bulls are one of the few teams with cap space and trade exceptions big enough to absorb a bad contract while they continue to build up the roster with pieces.

I have two separate trades I would love to see the Bulls make, curious what others think:

#1 – Grizzlies and Bulls

Chicago Sends:
Robin Lopez
#7

Memphis Sends:
Chandler Parsons
#4

It is also possible to use the Jameer Nelson trade exception to absorb another bit of salary, perhaps someone like Wayne Seldon. In this scenario the Grizzlies dump the dumpster fire contract/player to get a useful veteran piece on a contract a year shorter while also getting under the cap and only having to move down three spots. This may not be enough to entice the Grizzlies, but with Gasol aging and Conley back, this is a team not looking to tank but rather compete. Lopez is a rotation player who is just solid and 10million cheaper (and a year shorter) meaning if things don’t go well next season they could move him again while they blow it up by moving Conley/Gasol. Moving down three picks is OK because depending on what they value, the Grizzlies could still get the player they covet while jettisoning the albatross contract.

#2 Nuggets and Bulls

Chicago Sends:
Denzel Valentine
#22

Denver Sends:
Kenneth Faried
#14

This seems like a rip-off based on the players and picks, but when you factor the salaries into the equation it immediately makes sense. This trade gets the Nuggets under the cap by millions of dollars and a young player that they can release after one year if they wish as the remaining two years are team options. The cost of dumping the contract is to move down eight spots when the overall talent pool is relatively similar. Bulls make the move to get another high motor guy to make-up for the loss of Lopez while having their choice of players in the "next tier" of prospects.

Bulls walk out with one absolutely dumpster fire contract in Parsons and another that is palatable given their need for another veteran in the post. Bulls can then select their top options at #4 and #14 to pair with Lauri and Lavine. At #4 they insure they get one of Ayton, Doncic, Bagley, Jackson Jr. or Bamba and at #14 their options open up a lot more than they do at #22.

The big contracts both fall off long before Lauri is due for his next contract meaning the Bulls can see what they have in Lauri, hopefully a healthy Lavine, Dunn and their draft picks before trying to fill gaps (or lure a star player) with cap space in 2020 or 2021.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[FrankTheTankkkParticipant]

I’m all for something like scenario 2! Nuggets are really desperate to unload a contract so they have enough money to re-sign Barton, so maybe the Bulls get away without including a player. I don’t think Bulls pull the trigger if they need to unload Denzel

[ndbigdaveParticipant]

 Thanks for the input – I am not sure how desparate to unload Faried Denver is, and if getting him off the books would be enough to move down the eight spots. If so, perhaps the Bulls dont include Denzel or they use another contract.

If scenario #1 doesnt happen (as it is unlikely for a host of reasons) then the Bulls wouldnt have to include much at all as they could use the Mirotic/Jameer trade exceptions and perhaps some throw away contract to take on Faried. I would imagine Denver would prefer that.

 

 

 

 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 There are rumours they want to move up and the Grizz deral would work well for both sides but the Bulls would take on a lot of extra salary for a 3 place jump in a fairly deep part of the draft. If they were after Doncic say then it could make sense.

The Grizz would get a solid player in Robin Lopez but who they’d draft at 7 would be interesting. If it was a young big then having Gasol and Lopez to learn from would be good or they could maybe take Mikal Bridges or Porter to fill Parsons gap.

 

[CU.LIONSParticipant]

 The rumor now is Bulls are looking to trade up and get Bamba, so your trade sceanrio might come true.

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