The Bulls are exploring the trade market in the hopes of landing a first-round pick in exchange for either center Robin Lopez or sharpshooter Doug McDermott, league sources tell Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders.
As Scotto observes, the Bulls currently hold their own 2017 first-round pick and will also land the Kings’ selection if it falls outside the top 10. That Sacramento pick is very much up in the air at this point, with the Kings currently placing 10th in our 2016/17 NBA Reverse Standings. The Chicago front office has expressed a desire to make the roster younger and more athletic, and securing an extra draft pick for 2017 would help the team work toward that goal.
It remains to be seen if any club will be willing to part with a first-round pick for Lopez or McDermott. While that price may seem steep on the surface, it’s worth noting that players like Kyle Korver and Mason Plumlee have been the centerpieces of deals that saw first-round picks change hands in recent weeks.
Lopez, who will turn 29 in April, remains under contract through the 2018/19 season, and has long been a reliable and underrated presence in the middle. However, his production has dipped a little for the Bulls this season — his .495 FG% is his worst mark since 2011/12, and NBA.com’s advanced stats suggest Chicago has been a little better with Lopez off the court. As for McDermott, his development hasn’t taken a significant step forward this season, but he remains a threat from beyond the arc, with a career three-point percentage above 40.0%. He’ll be eligible for restricted free agency in 2018.
The Bulls have recently been linked to Jahlil Okafor, and while Scotto notes that it’s not clear whether the team’s hunt for a first-round pick is related to those talks, moving Lopez would create an opening in the frontcourt for a player like Okafor. Philadelphia is also believed to be seeking at least one future first-rounder for Okafor.
Confirms they are blowing it up. Try to trade the lesser pieces first, while holding an auction for Jimmy Butler.
They are also broadcasting that any team who wants Butler increases their chances if they can include Okafor in the package.
I bet all types of money Denver can get Okafor for Mudiay, then ship Okafor, Gallinari and a good third piece (Fraried, Murray, Barton, Harris, Beasley) to Chicago.
Although the Celtics may be interested, I think Serge Ibaka is a better fit, a lot cheaper to get, and also a greater improvement over Amir Johnson than Jimmy Butler is over Jae Crowder.
No it doesn’t. It confirms they’re trying to get a first round pick. It’s obvious the Bulls problems are not Jimmy Butler or Dwayne Wade related, but the depth around them. Attempting to get picks in next year’s draft, which is very, very deep – is in no way an indication of blowing up the team. It’s the best possible move for a team looking to win next year.
Agreed^^. And I don’t think this confirms ANYTHING. The amount of reports that have come out saying the Bulls are doing this that or the other should prove this could be little more than a team simply setting a price.
A few things.
1- It’s more likely the Bulls are seeking another 1st round pick in an attempt to get Okafor.
2- if the Bulls did get Okafor and decide to blow it up, do you really think a package of Okafor, Gallanari, and any of those third pieces makes sense? Okafor, sure. But Gallanari isn’t a piece for a team at the start of a rebuild.
3- Ibaka is a PF that can’t rebound. The Celtics have enough guys like that … but even if I conceded that Ibaka is a better fit for Boston than Butler is, the fact that Ibaka is a pending free agent can’t be understated. The Magic won’t just give him away, and the Celtics best trade chips are elite pieces.
Give either the Memphis or Clips pick in ’19 I believe for Ibaka. Not elite assets, but decent. Maybe both depending on the current protections.
Those might work if Orlando was willing to do something long term. But if their GM is on the hot seat, he might want something sooner.
Boston wouldn’t have to give elite pieces for Ibaka. Something like Rozier (and/or one of Yabusele or Zizic) plus one or two of the first round picks that aren’t the Brooklyn picks should be enough for Ibaka.
I’m it so sure Okafur is that available. Especially now that Embiid is out with an injury.
I think it says more that they’re getting picks to try and get a guy like Melo. Butler doesn’t go anywhere until draft time, if he’s traded at all IMO.
I’m sorry bud this isn’t 2k teams do not wheel and deal like that
McDermott is NOT a sharpshooter. He is another failed draft pick by a failed front office.
Smitty this post has nothing to do with Jimmy Butler. There’s approximately a zero percent chance Butler gets moved this season
I wouldn’t say zero. If Boston wants to offer the two Brooklyn picks plus Crowder, a deal could be done quite quickly. I actually think an Okafor deal makes more sense with a rebuild. He’s a nice starting piece, but he doesn’t fit the Bulls current roster at all.
Maybe you send 2 first rounders that aren’t the Nets to the sixers as a three team deal that gets okafor as the player to Chicago instead of Crowder? But still include the Nets picks.
Ehh I don’t see the 76ers moving Okafor for two future firsts/a Celtics pick (since the Celtics pick would be an after 20 pick). Even then, I think it’s likely that Chicago would ask for one of Smart or Crowder even if they were getting the Brooklyn picks and Okafor.
I would say zero. It was zero the second Dwayne Wade signed. It’s not that the Bulls are going to win it all this year, it’s that Wade can help recruit talent around Butler next year. Any chance of acquiring Butler ended forever when Wade signed. This is a conversation that needs to end.
I sincerely hope they trade everyone outside of Felicio, Butler, and Wade. I love Taj but his value is declining. Our young talent is trash. Lopez could be a solid back up center for a contender. McDermott could be a good fit on the thunder.
As a Thunder fan, I have been intrigued by the possibility of adding McDermott. Glad someone else mentioned it!
Looks like Bulls fans are hoping against hope. Lol.
Dwayne wade and jimmy butler have to go they aster holding young bulls like mcdemott down th young guys need tom play like valentine, mirotic also dump Gibson what a waste, also tired of seeing butler and wade who is over the hill try to be like mike and score every point at thec end you have four other guys with the fingers up their butts
I’m a die hard bulls fan and I know Lopez could fetch a first but Doug is a BIG stretch to get a first
Lopez might be able to fetch a late-ish first round pick. Could easily be a starting center who can be depended upon to protect the rim and grab rebounds (without needing to really get involved offensively). Same with McDermott. A playoff team looking for wing help and shooting could be intrigued by McDermott and willing to give up a first/future first. I don’t see a team giving up a lottery pick for McDermott or Lopez if that’s what Chicago is hoping for.
It’s nice to want nice things. But you’re not going to get a new sports car trading in a beat up civic.
What we NBA fans really want to know is what is that little blond patch of hair on Schroeder’s head and how did it get there?
I think it would be a big mistake to trade Doug or Mirotic right now. Both of their values are really low because they are having down seasons. The Bulls gave up a lot of assets to acquire each player and see if they can turn it around. Both are really young and have potential to be difference making shooters.
I think the biggest reason for the down seasons is the poor coaching/rotations used by hoiberg. He is a horrible coach. Mirotic looked great his first year with Thibs, and has gradually declined under Hoiberg like most players. Really all of the young players have looked worse under Hoiberg.
Last year Hoiberg had the same roster that Thibs used to take the Cavs to a game six in the second round. Hoiberg ended up with a 42-40 record and out of the playoffs. This year its looks like they are destined for the same.
Agreed. The REAL problem is the coach and front office, but Forman and Hoiberg are butt buddies, and Michael Reinsdorf (aka — worst president in the league) and Forman are butt buddies. So, it’ll probably be a long time before anyone leaves.
The only solution for me is to boycott. I’m done until they all go.
I am a die hard bulls fan, but I admit that this has been a tough stretch for the Bulls. I agree GarPax need to go. They have made some costly/terrible decisions over the last 3-4 seasons.
But to me the biggest mistake they made was hiring Hoiberg( He never even accomplished that much ISU). I think this roster would be playing a lot different if say Brad Stevens was coaching instead.
I think with a different coach, and a decent starting point guard, this group would be in contention for the 3-5 seed in the East.
Also, I think the current frustrations by are magnified in the fan base because of how poorly things went with Derrick Rose’s career in Chicago. I mean to have the youngest MVP in league history on your team and to never even make the finals with him is extremely disappointing. And as much as I dislike GarPax, in my opinion, they are not the reason they could not get over the top with that group. It was just terrible luck with Rose’s injuries/ and not being good enough to beat Lebron.