I really don't see Chicago moving Jimmy Butler. He gambled and won to eventually get a market value of a max contract. My assumption is the Bulls will pay that. Though in the past the Bulls have been known to be cheap, I haven't seen any evidence they are worried about paying Butler the max.
A bit of useful info, Rubio's injury is far worse than previously thought: http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/1...-high-ankle-sprain-minnesota-timberwolves-say
Obvious trade posturing planted by Morey to lower Rubio's trade value. Deal should be done here SOON.
I think there's a reasonably high chance that one of Llull/Johnson/Canaan become a starting quality player within the next few years, so I'm less inclined to spend a significant asset on a point guard unless it's a sure thing. If Dragic commits to resigning and we can agree on a reasonable range for his compensation, then I'm fine with sending the NOP pick out for him. If he continues this "i'll look at everybody" stuff then I wouldn't be interested.
Man I forgot about Llul... Love playing with him on 2K. If this thread reaches 1,500 pages, I'll donate $20 to the tipjar.
It's not "useless" at all. You get a young, talented player on a cheap contract for at least 5 years (4 contract years plus qualifying offer). It's the best value out there short of a star player or high quality big.
He probably means that our track record is not stellar for mid-teens picks. Exception being Jones and possibly PPat.
Really hard to tell with Lawson. He's definitely a Moreyball guy on the offensive end, and you could just as easily view his 3 remaining contract years as an asset instead of a liability. I think if we got him for the NOP pick and expirings I'd be happy. I'm a firm no on Deron. Too much salary and too much unknown. I don't see him waiving that player option either. Brewer waived his because he can probably get a similar salary in free agency and thought the risk of injury was worth being in a better situation. Deron is already injured, and there's no way he can get $20 million a year on the market. It would be like asking Amare to waive a PO a few years ago.........not gonna happen. The question to me is do you trade for Dragic with the NOP 1st or Mo Williams with the DEN 2nd? It's not as obvious as it seems. If Stauskas is really available, I'd love to get my hands on him. Kid is in the wrong organization to develop.
No for me as well on Deron. I am fine with Lawson for the NOP pick. No problem with his salary. I would move the NOP pick for Dragic. If the Rockets make this move, knowing Dragic will be a UFA and there will be a market for his services, the Rockets have to be willing to pay market price. (which would be more than Lawson BTW). Mo Williams...more of a stop gap. I would move Shved for him. But not so sure on the NYK 2nd rounder. I would rather just give Canaan those minutes. I am hoping Morey can make a move that is more than just a stop gap measure.
Fun fact.......75% of the players drafted by Morey are still in the league. I imagine that's a pretty high batting average compared to other GMs. He hasn't been able to find a star, but he's done a great job at finding NBA quality players. In The League Steve Novak Aaron Brooks Carl Landry Joey Dorsey Chase Budinger Patrick Patterson Marcus Morris Chandler Parsons Jeremy Lamb Terrence Jones Donatas Motiejunas Furkan Aldemir Isaiah Canaan Clint Capela Nick Johnson The Exceptions Sergio Llull - Will probably come over this summer Brady Newley - Drafted at the end of the 2nd round Maarty Leunen - Drafted at the end of the 2nd round Jermaine Taylor - Drafted at the beginning of the 2nd round Royce White - Ugh The only first round pick Morey has missed on is Royce White, and that had nothing to do with talent.
DMo not drafted by us, and Dorsey only because Morey signed him when no other GM in their right mind would. DD
Only 5 out of those are mid-teens picks, but yeah if you include all the draftees, he has a good batting average.
This is a league where teams take guys like Kwame Brown and Anthony Bennett 1st overall. Morey's draft track record IS stellar.
Shved and Brewer can't be traded to Minnesota since they were traded from them in the Love deal. It would probably be something like Papa for Williams. I don't think Morey is looking at a stop gap either, but it's there as a default. I would trade almost anything for Mirotic or Love. NOP 1st, DMo, NYK 2nd, etc. My hope is that the Bulls are willing to part Mirotic in order to shore themselves up at wing (doubt it). I feel like it's going to be a busy trade deadline, but I really have no idea who is and isn't available. It seems like its never the obvious guys, so maybe we should be watching Bosh or Carmelo.
Ben McLemore is playing very well, that's all. I don't know that Stauskus is actually available, but it's the Kings so who knows what they'll do.