The three-team deal in which the Bulls landed Jaden Ivey from the Pistons is now official.
The Bulls also acquired another guard, Mike Conley, from the Timberwolves in that transaction, but don’t expect Conley to play at all for Chicago. According to NBA insider Chris Haynes (Twitter link), Conley and the Bulls will work on a “proper path to move forward.”
That means Conley could be re-routed in another trade before Thursday’s deadline or he’ll have his contract bought out so that he can try to hook on with a contender after clearing waivers.
Here’s more on the Bulls:
- They also agreed to another big deal on Tuesday, forwarding Nikola Vucevic to Boston and acquiring guard Anfernee Simons with a pair of draft picks involved. The Bulls aren’t through wheeling and dealing, according to Julia Poe of the Chicago Tribune. The front office is trying to move Coby White as a blue-chip trade asset to leverage contending teams in the Western Conference out of draft picks or young talent. White knows he could be the next player to go. “I think sometimes there’s a narrative — just in the NBA but in general — that it’s part of the business,” White said. “But we’re still human. … Vooch was a locker room leader. Seeing him go, it was kind of tough for probably a lot of guys. You’re gonna feel something, right? We’re all human. But we still got a game and we got a job to do, so we’re going to go out there and do it.”
- After getting blasted by the Heat, the undermanned Bulls were pounded on Tuesday by the Bucks, 131-115. Jalen Smith refused to offer off-court distractions as an excuse, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times writes. ‘‘[We lost] high-value players, players that played a lot of minutes for us, but it’s the NBA,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s the job we signed up for. We’ve got to be ready to play at any point and time. It’s a next-man-up mentality.’’
- Zach Collins could be done for the season, coach Billy Donovan told Cowley and other media members. Collins injured his toe on Dec. 27 and hasn’t played since. ‘‘That could happen,” Donovan said of shutting down the big man. “As they put him two more weeks into the boot, I think how he comes out of that is going to tell a lot. He’s going to need a ramp-up period in order to run. . . . . The whole thing right now has been trying to prevent surgery.’’ Prior to that injury, he missed the first six weeks of the season with a wrist injury.
- Dalen Terry has never carved out a major role since being drafted in the first round in 2022. He’s temporarily playing more due to all the roster upheaval. He had six points and two blocks against the Bucks. “The human in me would say it’s tough but you just have to understand that this is what you get called upon for, so I’m just doing my best to try to stay ready every time I get a chance to play, and I think I’ve done a pretty good job of that,” Terry told Cowley. ‘If you would have asked me this when I was a rookie, it would have been hard. But me being four years in, I know what it is. I don’t take anything personal, and my mindset is every time I get a chance to be on an NBA court, I’m going to show why.”
Trade Giddey, Jalen Smith and Patrick Williams for draft picks and expiring contracts. Tank
Maybe make two deals with Utah and Washington
They ain’t tankin’. You don’t know Jerry Reinsdorf. We must be realistic: refs are “human,” players get tired, Giddey sells tickets and still has more upside. Players like Smith, Jones, Okoro, Ayo are good, young role players. Vucevic and Huerter were good moves by AKME. Now move Simons, Conley, White and Williams, as many as possible and profitable. We’re trading like it’s 2021.
Terry is getting paid good this year
They have Killa Yuki Kawamura too. Guard heavy
Best option would be
Mike Conley for George Niang
Mike gets to finish up his career back on the Grizzlies as they prepare for a rebuild. Cool way for him to go out.
Bulls move off 1 of their 8 guards and Niang actually gives them a really solid shooter
There’s better options out there instead of settling for just Niang..and at this stage in his career, I think a lot of teams would prefer a more versatile player instead of a guy like “the minivan”.
Low key
Coby White, Patrick Williams and pick 32 in the draft for Julius Randle
White ANT Williams McDaniels Gobert
Donte TSJ Reid
I know Patrick Williams ewww bad contract draft bust whatever… he is a good defender, proven efficient shooter and just look at Lauri Marlene’s how for a player can instantly get better once they leave the Bulls dumpster fire. This kid had Kawhi Leonard comparisons. Even if he can play more like a Dillon Brooks/DeAndre Hunter/Harrison Barnes kinda role that would be massive. White I think is a perfect fit next to ANT in the backcourt. Not very ball dominant, makes plays, shoots well, has size that’s solid. Yes your a little small but Gobert makes up for it.
Not a bad mock trade, well done.
i like it more than the wolves going after giannis and gutting the roster
That 32nd pick is basically a low end 1st rounder, I don’t believe we would send that off for expiring Randle deal.
Could the Bulls flip some of their new acquisitions, plus draft capital and Mike Conley, to land Ja Morant, with Conley heading back to Memphis?
“Coby White as a blue-chip trade asset”
He’s not though, he is terrible. He currently has a -0.3 VORP.
A potential package could include Simons, Dosunmu, and Conley (all with one year remaining on their contracts), along with draft picks.
Memphis sending Ja and, say, Scottie Pippen Jr. The salaries work from a cap perspective.
Additionally, Coby White could be routed to a third team in return for a more valuable asset to strengthen the overall package.
Three-Team Trade Proposal: Bulls – Grizzlies – Timberwolves
Chicago Bulls receive:
Ja Morant
Donte DiVincenzo
Georges Niang
Scottie Pippen Jr.
Memphis Grizzlies receive:
Anfernee Simons
Mike Conley
Ayo Dosunmu
Rob Dillingham
Minnesota Timberwolves receive:
Coby White
I like this one alot if you just switched White and Simons