Playoffs thread

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I would think if we literally get a top 2 or 3 pick as opposed to something in the 6-9 range, we could get the Bulls to pick up the phone when it comes to Jimmy Butler.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I would think if we literally get a top 2 or 3 pick as opposed to something in the 6-9 range, we could get the Bulls to pick up the phone when it comes to Jimmy Butler.

Sure. I'd put "winning" the lottery as anything in those top 3.

And bonus points if it knocks the lakers out and they lose their pick.

[Monster]

I'm happy the Clippers lost. As much as I dig PGs... I've never been a Chris Paul for all his other antics. He just seems like a prick based on nothing more than what I see on tv.

So what happens with that team?

We can pretty much assume Griffin is gone. The Clippers win about 60% of their games without him over the past few years. And the injury bug that continues to derail seasons can't be ignored. OKC? Boston? Miami?

I think Paul might resign. After all, as noted, he and Deeandre Jordan and a couple of shooters can win about 50 games. If he does move on... what about San Antonio? Would he be willing to take a deep paycut to join the Spurs culture and chase championships with Leonard for the next 3 or 4 years? Pop has shown he has a knack for extending careers.

I don't know where Reddick goes. He played poorly for most of the series. But I think he's still a solid player. I also think the Clippers dysfunction might have weighed on him more than anybody else... based on quotes he was making throughout the season.

The local radio guys made the point this morning but does CP3 walk away from an extra 52 million and a 5 year deal he can get from the Clippers. I don't know if there numbers are right but it will be a healthy chunk of money. They started trying to name off teams that would have a legit shot at a finals which would give him reason to give up the money to win and they got to the Bucks and they said they get the feeling CP3 wouldn't have much interest in going to a smaller market team. These guys aren't genius guys about national sports but ai thought it was interesting. Does anyone else get that feeling?

[Lipoli390]

[quote=[user avatar="https://assets-cloud.enjin.com/users/6592537/avatar/small.1435818119.jpeg" name="12218085 bestfour"]6592537[/user] 6628398]

Good to see the Bulls and Clippers get ousted in the first round. It gives me hope that perhaps they might be willing to blow things up, putting players like Butler, Jordan, and Griffin in play. Even if we don't land one of those guys, it means some other team is using cap space and a roster spot to get them. That means there are less suitors for the likes of Milsap, etc. (still a tough get though....).

I agree, Q. I agree with Monster that the Bulls are less likely to blow things up, but both will have to consider it. The Clippers front office will have less control over the situation because so many of their key guys - Paul, Griffin, Redick - are unrestricted free agents.

When it comes to the Bulls, I can certainly see the Wolves having discussions about deals for Jimmy Butler. The Bulls price would likely be no less than at least one of the following: KAT, Wiggins, LaVine or our lottery pick, although I'm not sure Zach coming off his ACL surgery would be enough for the Bulls. No way Thibs would trade KAT or Wiggins for Jimmy. Question is whether he would, or should, trade Zach or our lottery pick for Jimmy. I'd consider trading either one, but I'd want the Bull's first round pick this year or next in return and I doubt the Bulls would go for that. I like Butler, but until this past season he had a hard time staying healthy, rarely playing more than 65 games in a season.

As for the Clippers, Chris Paul wouldn't sign with us. I don't see Griffin signing here and I wouldn't want him since he's an injury waiting to happen. It will be interesting to see what team offers him a max deal because I wouldn't. You just can't count on him over the course of a 4-year deal. Redick is the only one in the bunch who might sign here, but I'm not sure he'd be worth the $17 million per year he's likely to get. I think D'Andre Jordan would be a great fit here, but I don't know what it would take to get him. If it's just our lottery pick, then I'm interested, although I'd hate to help a Conference rival rebuild. I generally don't like major deals with Western Conference teams.

I like your thinking about the availability of Paul and Griffin on the FA market enhancing our chances of landing Paul Millsap, even thought the odds would still be long.

LaVine + Wolves #1 pick isn't enough to get the Bulls to pick up the phone.



[Note: But if the Wolves win the lottery... the Bulls might be in play.]

[AbeVigodaLive]

[quote=[user avatar="https://assets-cloud.enjin.com/users/6592537/avatar/small.1435818119.jpeg" name="12218085 bestfour"]6592537[/user] 6628398]

Good to see the Bulls and Clippers get ousted in the first round. It gives me hope that perhaps they might be willing to blow things up, putting players like Butler, Jordan, and Griffin in play. Even if we don't land one of those guys, it means some other team is using cap space and a roster spot to get them. That means there are less suitors for the likes of Milsap, etc. (still a tough get though....).

I agree, Q. I agree with Monster that the Bulls are less likely to blow things up, but both will have to consider it. The Clippers front office will have less control over the situation because so many of their key guys - Paul, Griffin, Redick - are unrestricted free agents.

When it comes to the Bulls, I can certainly see the Wolves having discussions about deals for Jimmy Butler. The Bulls price would likely be no less than at least one of the following: KAT, Wiggins, LaVine or our lottery pick, although I'm not sure Zach coming off his ACL surgery would be enough for the Bulls. No way Thibs would trade KAT or Wiggins for Jimmy. Question is whether he would, or should, trade Zach or our lottery pick for Jimmy. I'd consider trading either one, but I'd want the Bull's first round pick this year or next in return and I doubt the Bulls would go for that. I like Butler, but until this past season he had a hard time staying healthy, rarely playing more than 65 games in a season.

As for the Clippers, Chris Paul wouldn't sign with us. I don't see Griffin signing here and I wouldn't want him since he's an injury waiting to happen. It will be interesting to see what team offers him a max deal because I wouldn't. You just can't count on him over the course of a 4-year deal. Redick is the only one in the bunch who might sign here, but I'm not sure he'd be worth the $17 million per year he's likely to get. I think D'Andre Jordan would be a great fit here, but I don't know what it would take to get him. If it's just our lottery pick, then I'm interested, although I'd hate to help a Conference rival rebuild. I generally don't like major deals with Western Conference teams.

I like your thinking about the availability of Paul and Griffin on the FA market enhancing our chances of landing Paul Millsap, even thought the odds would still be long.

LaVine + Wolves #1 pick isn't enough to get the Bulls to pick up the phone.



[Note: But if the Wolves win the lottery... the Bulls might be in play.]

I disagree, Abe. I think the Bulls would be thrilled to get LaVine + #6 for Butler. And they'd be even more thrilled to exchange Butler for the #1 or #2 pick and the chance to land Fultz or Ball. Butler is a very good but not great player who before this past season had a hard time staying healthy for a full season. I see his physical issues becoming even more pronounced as he approached age 30.

As currently constituted, the Bulls are never going to contend for a championship. They'd see that deal plus their own pick this year and other trade assets like Mirotic as a great way to jump start a rebuilding process for a team that doesn't look like it's going anywhere beyond the bottom of the Eastern Conference playoffs going forward.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

This Houston team is better than the old Phoenix run and gun teams led by Nash because these guys are defending AND putting up points in a hurry. Beverley is perhaps the best defensive PG in the league, along with Chris Paul.

[Lipoli390]

Good points, Abe. But I think the Bulls are in a different place now than they were last summer. By that, I mean I think they're more inclined to blow it up and start a rebuild. Apparently, they were willing to trade Butler to us last summer for Zach and the rights to Dunn, but Thibs refused. I agree that Zach's ACL injury changes the equation to some extent. But depending on who's available at #6 I would think the Bulls would at least consider dealing Butler for #6 and Zach. Again, if I were Thibs I wouldn't even offer that deal. But I can see Thibs making the offer and I think the Bulls would pick up the phone and give its some thought. Of course, I could be completely wrong.

[AbeVigodaLive]

This Houston team is better than the old Phoenix run and gun teams led by Nash because these guys are defending AND putting up points in a hurry. Beverley is perhaps the best defensive PG in the league, along with Chris Paul.

I think they capitalize on a few things more than those Suns teams. Those teams had a bad rap defensively, but they weren't absolutely terrible. If I remember correctly, they were about average.

Meanwhile in this Game 1... the vaunted defender, Ryan Anderson, is completely destroying LaMarcus Aldridge in the post. Aldridge looks absolutely atrocious. On both ends of the court.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Good points, Abe. But I think the Bulls are in a different place now than they were last summer. By that, I mean I think they're more inclined to blow it up and start a rebuild. Apparently, they were willing to trade Butler to us last summer for Zach and the rights to Dunn, but Thibs refused. I agree that Zach's ACL injury changes the equation to some extent. But depending on who's available at #6 I would think the Bulls would at least consider dealing Butler for #6 and Zach. Again, if I were Thibs I wouldn't even offer that deal. But I can see Thibs making the offer and I think the Bulls would pick up the phone and give its some thought. Of course, I could be completely wrong.

I was talking about the Boston deal.

Boston could offer a better deal than LaVine and #6 pretty easily... there have been reports that they did.

And it was turned down.

[Lipoli390]

Good points, Abe. But I think the Bulls are in a different place now than they were last summer. By that, I mean I think they're more inclined to blow it up and start a rebuild. Apparently, they were willing to trade Butler to us last summer for Zach and the rights to Dunn, but Thibs refused. I agree that Zach's ACL injury changes the equation to some extent. But depending on who's available at #6 I would think the Bulls would at least consider dealing Butler for #6 and Zach. Again, if I were Thibs I wouldn't even offer that deal. But I can see Thibs making the offer and I think the Bulls would pick up the phone and give its some thought. Of course, I could be completely wrong.

I was talking about the Boston deal.

Boston could offer a better deal than LaVine and #6 pretty easily... there have been reports that they did.

And it was turned down.

Not sure what Boston offered before. But I'd agree that Boston will be in a position to offer a better package than Zach + #6. Boston has a much better shot than the Wolves at a top 3 pick and that alone would trump us in any competition to get Butler. They have lots of other attractive assets too. So if Boston wants Butler, they'll get him and we wont' be able to compete without offering KAT or Wiggins. But Zach +#6 would be a credible offer that could certainly get the Bulls front office to pick up the phone and counter unless they've already done the deal with Boston.