The Toronto Raptors and Chicago Bulls are in a bit of an awkward place. They are not quite bad enough to outright tank, given that they have all-star caliber players like DeRozan, Lavine, and Siakam (as well as Vucevic to some extent, but it seems he is declining). They also have a good amount of talent and young players such as Gary Trent Jr, Scottie Barnes, Coby White, OG Anunoby, Poetl, and Caruso.
Overall, both of these teams have multiple players that championship teams would want on their roster. These teams also seem to be a bit stuck, and have been fairly mediocre in the last few seasons, either being a low playoff team or play-in team.
These teams are not going to win a championship, but are not playing badly enough to a point where they could land some potential franchise cornerstone (i.e. a Chet or a Wemby via top 3 pick). It’s time to blow it up.
Now, assuming these teams blow it up at some point in the season, which teams do you think would likely be the buyers? For instance, I could see the Warriors, 76ers, and Lakers making a run at Lavine Siakam, or DeRozan to form some kind of big 3 to combat the Suns, Bucks, and Celtics.
The only 3 players that might worth would be Siakam, Anunoby and Derozan.
Lavine is a typical mid team’s #1 option that gets your team nowhere
LaVine could be some team’s AG.
Completely different players.
Lavine is a better fit in Philly then Harden
I think Caruso has a lot of trade value too. On a great contract and is the best perimeter defender in the league
Lavine to magic
nah
Who are the Magic giving up for LaVine?
Nope
It’s hard to find teams that need a guy like siakam, he’s really good but the league is saturated with two-way wings who can’t shoot threes that well. He’s gonna be expensive, so it rules out a lot of these good teams that aren’t breaking apart their cores.
the team that I keep coming back to is detroit, they want to compete, don’t have much depth at the 4, and need somebody who can drive the rim a ton and score efficiently.
Could make something work with young guys or a three team deal.
For the raptors I don’t think they’ll move Anunoby, judging by what our offence looks like. Siakam is hardly involved and it’s strange. I don’t think “blowing it up” will go much further than that.
Siakam is the one player I’d be cool with the Thunder trading for.
Im not the one watching most raptors games but to me Siakam seems like a great supporting piece. He’s not a great shooter but I’m sure he will make more of them once he has anybody getting him open shots. Just overall his offense will look much better around more skilled guys.
Bulls about to have another players meeting and then announce they want a trade.
GM going to be like, hold up, you all want a trade?
Players : yes
I’d like to see DDR on a team with a great lead ball handler & passer & shooter as the main engine of the offense, give space to DDR & let him be a secondary playmaker and main scorer with the second unit. Lakers and Dallas would make a lot of sense to me. Maybe OKC if they’re contending at the deadline but Giddey isn’t playing well but that seems unlikely. Caruso could probably fit on anywhere so hopefully a few teams get into a bidding war there. Craig is in the same boat, very impressed with him, he’d fit in anywhere, would be nice to get a 2nd or something for him. Lavine would probably cost too much for most trans & the rest of the team probably has no value
Lavine or OG to Miami
Who are Miami going to give up for LaVine?
Their rookie, 2 picks, salary filler, and maybe a pick swap is probably the best they could do. Bot sure the bulls would bit tho because the picks are so far away
Lavine to Miami for Herro and 2 picks
Pat wouldn’t allow this, for good reason
How bout Harden for Herro straight up
No one has the assets to pay up for what these guys are worth, ironically I thought Minnesota should have went for Siakam instead of Gobert
I think the grizz go for demar and the warriors try to get lavine. The knicks have also had a history of being interested in lavine. I could see the magic. Being interested as well.
Caruso would be very interesting to see traded. I think just about every contender in the league would be trying to get him
Celtics Caruso, dont ask me how, dont care Jrue, White Caruso, all on the court together. OooooO
We would try our hardest to get OG or Poetl, but we don’t have a whole lot to offer.
I could maybe see a Poeltl/Lively swap but i’m not super familiar with how the money would work and I could only see them moving Jakob if they moved Siakam
Heat, 76ers, and Mavericks should be buyers, I think.
The Heat can’t keep relying on Butler to play like Jordan in the playoffs all the time. They need to get him some extra help. Bam is a great defender, but isn’t a good enough second option for a team with championship aspirations. LaVine or DeRozan could potentially make up for Miami’s offensive shortcomings. Anunoby would also be a great fit in Miami’s system.
The 76ers also need to get Embiid some help. Harris is good, but he’s declining. LaVine, DeRozan, or Siakam could all potentially help Embiid, but sadly it still won’t be enough for them to win a championship. The 76ers need to do everything in their power to keep Embiid so they should try to pursue two star players. Perhaps if they can find a way to acquire LaVine and Anunoby without giving up Maxey, they’d have a chance to contend for the title.
The Mavericks are in the same boat as the 76ers. They need to build a legitimate team around Doncic, otherwise they’ll risk losing him in free agency one day. Kyrie isn’t the best fit for Doncic. If the Mavs can trade for Caruso, Anunoby, Barnes, and/or Siakam, it would surely make them better. Although I don’t believe it will be enough either.
I think both teams already fucked up.
Should have made trades in the offseason. Or last season.
I remember reading shit like, “The Raptors refuse to give up Scottie Barnes in a KD trade.” Scottie fucking Barnes!! The Raptors should have given up Prime Scottie Pippen for KD. And in general, so sick of hearing about how the Raptors have 112 great trade assets.
Chicago is in no better shape. LaVine scored 51 last night. Which helped Chicago only lose by 16 to what may be the worst team in the league.
The problem both Toronto and Chicago will have is that there are real teams with smart front offices. Neither the Bulls or Raptors have winning players, so they will have to take back shitty contracts and a 2092 second round pick.