Fox trade to the Spurs!!!

[objective]

Huh? Seems to be this would be the exact reason to tank more and get higher chances at a top pick. I see them trading Vucevic and probably going full tank

Bulls ownership have a rep for being cheap and greedy, so the thinking has been that there is always a push by them to make the playoffs to get the postseason money. So when there's outside pressure to tank like a protected draft pick, it creates an uncomfortable conflict.

Now 5hey can push for the playoffs like ownership wants without the worry of being too successful and losing the pick

[RC_Drunkford]

[jiggy_55]

Bulls don't tank "culturally"

It could change but I think that's what Bruno referred to.

Gotcha, but this team kinda sucked with Lavine. This team is gonna tank naturally by itself by just playing the guys available and that's not even considering what looks to be a big chance that they move on from Vucevic now

[Bruno]

Huh? Seems to be this would be the exact reason to tank more and get higher chances at a top pick. I see them trading Vucevic and probably going full tank

Wins minus losses for the worst teams:
1) Wizards: -34
2) Jazz: -25
3) Pelicans: -25
4) Hornets: -22
5) Raptors: -17
6) Nets: -17
7) Sixers: -10
8) Blazers: -9
9) Bulls: -8
10) Hawks: -5
11) Spurs: -4
12) Magic: -2
Other teams are +0 or better.

My point is the following:
Before the trade, Bulls really didn't want to catch up Hawks/Spurs because it meant going from the 8th to 10th pick to no pick.
After the trade, it doesn't really matter since it meant going from 8th/10th to 11th.

However, there is a downside that it will be more difficult for them to catch Hawks without having Lavine. It is a little late for Bulls to go full tank. Having a bottom 6 record would be difficult for them. At best they could finish with the 6th worst if Raptors keep playing well.

[Kawhi Duncan]

So what's the SL gonna be like?

Wemby, Barnes, Vassell, Castle, Fox?

Moving Paul to the bench ,Jeremy stays there too as he's damn near unplayable next to castle? Can Vassell play SF?

Does this indicate Paul getting moved before the deadline?

We need to make more moves...we need size and shooting...we can't continue to play SFs at the 4....big teams win rings...the west has been massive for years...small ball is a myth

[FireMicoHalili]

here's to hoping Wemby never gets enticed to join the Lakers at some point. It was fun seeing the Lakers go through basketball purgatory. I hope they end up there again.

[Pauleta14]

Wins minus losses for the worst teams:
1) Wizards: -34
2) Jazz: -25
3) Pelicans: -25
4) Hornets: -22
5) Raptors: -17
6) Nets: -17
7) Sixers: -10
8) Blazers: -9
9) Bulls: -8
10) Hawks: -5
11) Spurs: -4
12) Magic: -2
Other teams are +0 or better.

My point is the following:
Before the trade, Bulls really didn't want to catch up Hawks/Spurs because it meant going from the 8th to 10th pick to no pick.
After the trade, it doesn't really matter since it meant going from 8th/10th to 11th.

However, there is a downside that it will be more difficult for them to catch Hawks without having Lavine. It is a little late for Bulls to go full tank. Having a bottom 6 record would be difficult for them. At best they could finish with the 6th worst if Raptors keep playing well.

If they manage to get rid of Vucevic it's going to be hard for them to win any game. (Still 32 to play)

Remember they have Zollins now

[RC_Drunkford]

also CP3 and Fox both led the NBA in steals at some point of their career. We will get even more stocks now!!!

[jiggy_55]

Wins minus losses for the worst teams:
1) Wizards: -34
2) Jazz: -25
3) Pelicans: -25
4) Hornets: -22
5) Raptors: -17
6) Nets: -17
7) Sixers: -10
8) Blazers: -9
9) Bulls: -8
10) Hawks: -5
11) Spurs: -4
12) Magic: -2
Other teams are +0 or better.

My point is the following:
Before the trade, Bulls really didn't want to catch up Hawks/Spurs because it meant going from the 8th to 10th pick to no pick.
After the trade, it doesn't really matter since it meant going from 8th/10th to 11th.

However, there is a downside that it will be more difficult for them to catch Hawks without having Lavine. It is a little late for Bulls to go full tank. Having a bottom 6 record would be difficult for them. At best they could finish with the 6th worst if Raptors keep playing well.

As you said, the Raptors and Sixers might overtake them. Portland too. That's probably the best tank job they can do.

[RC_Drunkford]

to be fair the Kings actually got good value here:

Zach LaVine
2 unprotected first round picks
5 second round picks, 3 of them likely in the upper 30s (they didn't have any 2nds left prior)
and offload Huerter's contract

That's a lot. The only thing that makes this a bad trade is that they think being the Chicago Bulls of the west is a good idea

Edit: They also get under the luxury tax and have a 16.8 million dollar trade exception.

[John B]

What’s a realistic record after this trade? For sure Spurs gets to the playoffs? I think if we get somebody like Myles Turner (maybe Keldon plus picks) Spurs can make some noise.

[quentin_compson]

Yeah, given the cir stances and their short-term goals, I think this trade was okay for both the Kings and the Bulls. The Kings desperately want to make the playoffs this season, and with Lavine, they get a player who fits Sabonis/DDR probably better than Fox does. Would I have traded for Lavine if I were the Kings' FO? no, but I can still kind of see the reasoning from their point of view.
As for the Bulls, they are probably just glad that they managed to get rid of this ungodly Lavine contract and at least get something in return. Maybe they will find buyers for Lonzo and Vucevic and finally start doing the rebuild they should have started like two years or so ago.

For the Spurs, this trade feels almost unreal. I can only echo what already has been said here in regards to not having to give up either core players or really good draft assets besides maybe the 20131 Minny pick. Huge props to the Spurs FO!
I am also glad that they actually did do a big trade like this at all because I was afraid that they wanted to rather take it slow for another couple of seasons - which would have been a really bad decision in my opinion.

[mudyez]

What’s a realistic record after this trade? For sure Spurs gets to the playoffs? I think if we get somebody like Myles Turner (maybe Keldon plus picks) Spurs can make some noise.

Keep your fingers away from Keldon!
Best thing besides having this great trade, was to see Keldon staying...his last press conference broke my heart.

[Davidicus]

Defensively

I can’t believe we’re going to have a 7’4” guy averaging 4 blocks per game on the court alongside a dude nicknamed Swipa. Who lead the league in steals last year.

And neither of those guys are named Castle or Sochan.

[Dverde]

How dumb can they be? That would have been the first thing I demanded. No swap back then we’re done here.

I'm really surprised Kings didn't get their swap back.

[Dejounte]

Defensively

I can’t believe we’re going to have a 7’4” guy averaging 4 blocks per game on the court alongside a dude nicknamed Swipa. Who lead the league in steals last year.

And neither of those guys are named Castle or Sochan.

This and his mid range game that he developed is underrated. I can’t believe my current favorite pg is on my favorite team. How lucky i am.

[LeBowen]

How dumb can they be? That would have been the first thing I demanded. No swap back then we’re done here.

I'm really surprised Kings didn't get their swap back.

My guess would be that they want something from Minnesota.
They're $15M under the cap now and Minnesota won't be able to pay everyone.
I guess they could get McDaniels with that pick.

Or it was Ainge's doing. Jazz controls the entire Minnesota future except for the picks we got for Dillingham.
John Collins would be a good partner for Sabonis, maybe use that pick to get Collins and offload Demar to Mormon land.

[ffadicted]

How dumb can they be? That would have been the first thing I demanded. No swap back then we’re done here.

I'm really surprised Kings didn't get their swap back.

My guess is it came down to their swap back or Minnesota’s ‘31 pick. Hard to say who pushed for what, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the minny pick is better value than a Sac swap.

[CGD]

Some random thoughts:

- Spurs gave up only 1 premium asset to get Fox: the 2031 Wolves pick. 2027 Spurs pick should past #20. Bulls pick might never convey with Bulls rebuilding and might turn into a 2028 2nd round pick.

- Spurs have traded away 4 second round picks in this trade: Bulls 2025, Hornets 2026, Hornets 2027 and Denver 2028. What a great use of all these extra second round picks.

- I'm really surprised Kings didn't get their swap back.

- Bulls getting their picks back is also kinda interesting because it removes for them the incentive to tank to keep their pick. They are weaker with Lavine gone but they won't tank and they might finish with a better record than Hawks.

- Fox should be extended in early August, that is to say 6 months after the trade. Spurs likely won't have cap space to do a raise and extend move like Jazz did with Markanen.

- While I'm skeptical about Fox and Castle ability to coexist, this is a too good deal to pass. This Spurs team really lack shooting, it will be a tough task for Spurs coaching staff to make it work.

- Fox has an hand injury. I wouldn't be surprised to see Spurs giving him some rest or even shutting him down for the end of the season.

- Good luck to Tre and Sidy. They never complained when they didn't play and I wish them the best.

- What about Chris Paul? Will he traded/bought out at this trade deadline or will he be fine coming from the bench?

- Spurs will have 1 or 2 open roster spots (if they waive McLaughlin) to try some new players this year.

- Spurs will have 3 picks in the 2025 draft: Hawks first, Spurs first and Spurs second. Main priority will be to get some good shooting forwards. Spurs also need a backup for Wembanyama.

Great thoughts. A few others:

- draft implications: in a top 4 scenario, Harper doesn’t makes sense anymore, but Bailey would be a perfect fit.

- Paul wanting to move on now or not would be helpful to know. He and Malaki/Blake together could bring back a 17M player. For example only, Jakob.

- wonder if they go to the scrap heap now for a big like recently cut (and known dumdum) Mo Bamba.

- with the slot open, it’s worth looking at the buyout market. Heard for example that Bulls may cut Ball?

- Tre will be a sleeper agent for us making CHI better (as Hawks struggle). Then spurs will bring him back this summer :-)

[CGD]

My guess is it came down to their swap back or Minnesota’s ‘31 pick. Hard to say who pushed for what, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the minny pick is better value than a Sac swap.

Smart point. They’re both slated for 2031. So basically the question was, do we want the extra pick (minni pick) or the higher quality single pick (SAC swap rights)?

[LeBowen]

- draft implications: in a top 4 scenario, Harper doesn’t makes sense anymore, but Bailey would be a perfect fit.

I'd say that no guard makes sense for the foreseeable future unless it's a Tre-style SRP that could be a solid depth option.
If we get lucky again and land a top10 pick, Flagg and Bailey are the only two players I'd surely draft. Anyone else and I'd shop that pick around to see who's available.

Paul wanting to move on now or not would be helpful to know. He and Malaki/Blake together could bring back a 17M player. For example only, Jakob.

I think he's staying even for the next season.

[Maddog]

Smart point. They’re both slated for 2031. So basically the question was, do we want the extra pick (minni pick) or the higher quality single pick (SAC swap rights)?

Hard to know
Both are constructed to tread water for the next few years.
Minnesota has a young star to rebuild around- but he could also leave.
Sac has a meddlesome owner- a roster designed to tread water for a few years with key players 29 and north so a reasonable bet.

[Dejounte]

Paul already did his ring chasing with the Warriors. He’s chasing respect and playing time, things he didn’t get with teams like the Warriors. He has all the respect here. He’s not going anywhere.

[Killakobe81]

Killa, you're dumb. But you're not that dumb tbh.

Still as classy as ever … don’t change or grow.

[DPG21920]

Wins minus losses for the worst teams:
1) Wizards: -34
2) Jazz: -25
3) Pelicans: -25
4) Hornets: -22
5) Raptors: -17
6) Nets: -17
7) Sixers: -10
8) Blazers: -9
9) Bulls: -8
10) Hawks: -5
11) Spurs: -4
12) Magic: -2
Other teams are +0 or better.

My point is the following:
Before the trade, Bulls really didn't want to catch up Hawks/Spurs because it meant going from the 8th to 10th pick to no pick.
After the trade, it doesn't really matter since it meant going from 8th/10th to 11th.

However, there is a downside that it will be more difficult for them to catch Hawks without having Lavine. It is a little late for Bulls to go full tank. Having a bottom 6 record would be difficult for them. At best they could finish with the 6th worst if Raptors keep playing well.

I am legit so happy I dont have to track Bulls any more lol. Not having to care about their pick or standing is a gift and should be added to the trade haul in terms of grading it