2022 Off-Season Around the League

[Lipoli390]

As we focus on our Wolves, I also thought I'd start a thread on what other team are doing or thinking of doing this off-season. I'll open the thread with the following tidbit regarding the Bulls interest in signing Mitchell Robinson:

Post has learned the Bulls are continuing to do their research on Mitchell Robinson ahead of the July 1 free-agency period. The Bulls could be the main competitors for Robinson if the Knicks don't lock him up to a contract extension on June 30. The Bulls want to enhance their interior defense and believe Robinson could be a good fit slotted alongside offensive center Nikola Vucevic. Chicago reportedly has $49 million in cap space but that's before they commit to free agent Zach Lavine -- if they do commit.

Interesting. I didn't realize the Bulls were $49M under the cap before re-signing LaVine. That's a gives them the opportunity most teams don't have to make a major addition through free agency.

[kekgeek]

I actually sort of feel bad for Bulls fans. Sure they will have cap space if Lavine leaves but lavine is probably the best free agent on the market. They traded for Vucevic to try to make the playoffs a year ago what they didn't, Vuc hasn't been that all star caliber player since the trade. They traded Carter Jr. who might be better then Vuc, the pick that became Franz Wagner, and they won't have next years first. Speaking of next years 1st the Bulls could be really bad again, no Lavine, Lonzo who was a great signing is dealing with a serious knee issue what he might miss the whole year with. Their recent draft picks have been bad, gave up multiple picks for Mcdourment, Valentine was bad, Markannan didn't get a 2nd contract with the bulls, Hutchinson was bad, gafford was better on a different team, Colby White hasn't been good, I still like Pat Williams but he is averaging 9 and 4 as the #4 pick what isn't great, I do like Ayo but he is just a dude.

In general I liked the bulls trying to get better but this might really blow up in their face and I feel bad for bulls fans

[Monster]

I actually sort of feel bad for Bulls fans. Sure they will have cap space if Lavine leaves but lavine is probably the best free agent on the market. They traded for Vucevic to try to make the playoffs a year ago what they didn't, Vuc hasn't been that all star caliber player since the trade. They traded Carter Jr. who might be better then Vuc, the pick that became Franz Wagner, and they won't have next years first. Speaking of next years 1st the Bulls could be really bad again, no Lavine, Lonzo who was a great signing is dealing with a serious knee issue what he might miss the whole year with. Their recent draft picks have been bad, gave up multiple picks for Mcdourment, Valentine was bad, Markannan didn't get a 2nd contract with the bulls, Hutchinson was bad, gafford was better on a different team, Colby White hasn't been good, I still like Pat Williams but he is averaging 9 and 4 as the #4 pick what isn't great, I do like Ayo but he is just a dude.

In general I liked the bulls trying to get better but this might really blow up in their face and I feel bad for bulls fans

Bulls fans have been on a bit of a ride I agree with the basic idea you have said here. A couple points I'll make to put a bit of a more of a positive spin on the picture you laid out.

1. The Bulls got a 1st round pick from the sign and trade for Markannan (from Portland) so that was a solid piece of work.

2. Coby White is at least a worthwhile offensive player.

3. Ayo Dosunmu was the Bulls only draft pick last year. He was a 2nd round pick that played well his rookie season and was 2nd all rookie team.

4. Art?ras Karni?ovas Has been on the job for what 2 years? He already has a misstep in dealing away Gafford but he also put together a pretty nice squad last season. It will suck if Lavine walks but they will be sitting there with cap space with only a few teams having it.

6. Bulls fans probably appreciate they have a competent coach in Billy Donovan.

7. The Pat Williams pick may look pretty good if you compare what some of the following picks were...don't go to far down though lol It's still amazing to me that Halliburton dropped that far. Anyway Williams is also shooting over 40% career on his 3's and hasn't turned 21 yet.

I'm not saying the Bulls are in a great space and they have some challenges going forward like you pointed out with outgoing draft picks and if Ball's injury keeps him off the floor but if Art?ras Karni?ovas is good at his job they might not have that bleak of a future. Let's be honest until this last season they weren't really going much of anywhere anyways.

[thedoper]

Not that it completely solves our problems but I feel we could have got Green from Denver for a while by the looks of this deal.

[kekgeek]

Not that it completely solves our problems but I feel we could have got Green from Denver for a while by the looks of this deal.

ESPN Sources: Denver is trading F JaMychal Green and a protected 2027 first-round pick to Oklahoma City for the No. 30 pick in this month's NBA Draft and two future second-round picks. Nuggets have No. 21 and 30 in this draft now and Thunder has Nos. 2, 12 and 34.

Just for context

[kekgeek]

Kevin O'Conner is reporting that the Hawks are trying to add a lottery pick by using John Collins as the asset going out

[kekgeek]

I actually sort of feel bad for Bulls fans. Sure they will have cap space if Lavine leaves but lavine is probably the best free agent on the market. They traded for Vucevic to try to make the playoffs a year ago what they didn't, Vuc hasn't been that all star caliber player since the trade. They traded Carter Jr. who might be better then Vuc, the pick that became Franz Wagner, and they won't have next years first. Speaking of next years 1st the Bulls could be really bad again, no Lavine, Lonzo who was a great signing is dealing with a serious knee issue what he might miss the whole year with. Their recent draft picks have been bad, gave up multiple picks for Mcdourment, Valentine was bad, Markannan didn't get a 2nd contract with the bulls, Hutchinson was bad, gafford was better on a different team, Colby White hasn't been good, I still like Pat Williams but he is averaging 9 and 4 as the #4 pick what isn't great, I do like Ayo but he is just a dude.

In general I liked the bulls trying to get better but this might really blow up in their face and I feel bad for bulls fans

Bulls fans have been on a bit of a ride I agree with the basic idea you have said here. A couple points I'll make to put a bit of a more of a positive spin on the picture you laid out.

1. The Bulls got a 1st round pick from the sign and trade for Markannan (from Portland) so that was a solid piece of work.

2. Coby White is at least a worthwhile offensive player.

3. Ayo Dosunmu was the Bulls only draft pick last year. He was a 2nd round pick that played well his rookie season and was 2nd all rookie team.

4. Art?ras Karni?ovas Has been on the job for what 2 years? He already has a misstep in dealing away Gafford but he also put together a pretty nice squad last season. It will suck if Lavine walks but they will be sitting there with cap space with only a few teams having it.

6. Bulls fans probably appreciate they have a competent coach in Billy Donovan.

7. The Pat Williams pick may look pretty good if you compare what some of the following picks were...don't go to far down though lol It's still amazing to me that Halliburton dropped that far. Anyway Williams is also shooting over 40% career on his 3's and hasn't turned 21 yet.

I'm not saying the Bulls are in a great space and they have some challenges going forward like you pointed out with outgoing draft picks and if Ball's injury keeps him off the floor but if Art?ras Karni?ovas is good at his job they might not have that bleak of a future. Let's be honest until this last season they weren't really going much of anywhere anyways.

Ya I don't disagree with you, just sort of sucks for them when I didn't really hate any move that they made in the last couple of years because they were sick of being bottom feeder organization in the middle to early 2010s to 2020s. Due to Lavine probably wanting out, Lonzo knee, Vuc taking a step back and drafting solid but not star players at the moment it sort of looks a little bleak for the Bulls. Would be interested to see if they want to trade Derozan if Lavine leaves and Lonzo is out of the year.

[kekgeek]

I guess I should post this also. In Kevin O'Conner draft guide he mentioned the Wolves are shopping Dlo. Now does he actually have sources or does he just think the Wolves should shop him.

*I have really soured on KOC lately, I used to love him. I thought he could of been the next Lowe but he has really turned into the national media version of Doogie these last few year. Not a big fan anymore.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I guess I should post this also. In Kevin O'Conner draft guide he mentioned the Wolves are shopping Dlo. Now does he actually have sources or does he just think the Wolves should shop him.

*I have really soured on KOC lately, I used to love him. I thought he could of been the next Lowe but he has really turned into the national media version of Doogie these last few year. Not a big fan anymore.

"D'Angelo Russell is being shopped around, so it makes sense for the Timberwolves to target a shot-creator with this selection. TyTy and Karl-Anthony Towns could make for a lethal pick-and-roll pairing, and with Anthony Edwards resembling a superstar in the playoffs (and in Hustle) Minnesota would be equipped with a dynamic offense. Whatever Russell would return in a trade could only bolster their roster even more."

This resembles speculation rather than actual source-based reporting. For what it's worth, Jon Krawczynski, Marc Stein, and Jake Fisher have also mentioned that other teams expect the Wolves to shop Russell, but that also comes across like conjecture or guesswork. They're probably right that Minnesota is listening to calls and even making some of their own, but I don't think there is going to be a real effort to move him.

[Monster]

I guess I should post this also. In Kevin O'Conner draft guide he mentioned the Wolves are shopping Dlo. Now does he actually have sources or does he just think the Wolves should shop him.

*I have really soured on KOC lately, I used to love him. I thought he could of been the next Lowe but he has really turned into the national media version of Doogie these last few year. Not a big fan anymore.

"D'Angelo Russell is being shopped around, so it makes sense for the Timberwolves to target a shot-creator with this selection. TyTy and Karl-Anthony Towns could make for a lethal pick-and-roll pairing, and with Anthony Edwards resembling a superstar in the playoffs (and in Hustle) Minnesota would be equipped with a dynamic offense. Whatever Russell would return in a trade could only bolster their roster even more."

This resembles speculation rather than actual source-based reporting. For what it's worth, Jon Krawczynski, Marc Stein, and Jake Fisher have also mentioned that other teams expect the Wolves to shop Russell, but that also comes across like conjecture or guesswork. They're probably right that Minnesota is listening to calls and even making some of their own, but I don't think there is going to be a real effort to move him.

This is from KOC take in his mock draft on the Bulls selecting Liddell at 18.

"Liddell is on the older end for a prospect since he'll turn 22 as a rookie. But the Bulls need more help on the wing now, and his age doesn't mean he'll stop getting better. Liddell is a late bloomer as is. He tested the draft waters last year then returned to school to improve his shooting and perimeter defense. Now, he looks like a player who can help a team from day one while retaining the upside to reach even higher levels."

I have a hard time taking any of the rest of his player takes seriously after him saying Liddell is a wing.

We have pages of talk about Russell. It makes sense for anyone to wonder what is gonna happen with Russell. He is on an expiring deal and that playoff performance was really something. It simply makes sense to wonder what will happen with Russell. I have seen nothing that suggests anyone knows what anyone with the Wolves either before Connelly came on board or after thinks about Russell. I'm not saying the Wolves aren't looking to move him. I'm not saying they are looking to keep him. I'm just saying while it may make sense to wonder about his future here there isn't anything to go on other than speculation. I will also mot be shocked if he is dealt.