jmmagicfan

I would tend to agree with you. I wouldn't even be surprised to see us guarantee G Harris and then package him with someone else in a 2 for 1 trade or maybe a late 1st.

Uh, no. If someone says come here with my gun, and you do, you were not accidentally in the wrong place at the wrong time!

My initial reaction was one of disappointment. I think K Harris would be a better conversion than Schofield, he strikes me as the more impactful player for us. If we convert both of them, that does open up the 2-way spots for some other G-League players; but I was initially thinking it sets up a lot of roster space issues for next year. And then I thought some more about it. If we assume that Schofield's and Bitadze's deals (and K Harris if they convert him) are probably not guaranteed for the 2023-24 season, but like we did with G Harris, Bol, and Bamba this year, guaranteed for this year and non-guaranteed/team option for next year; that leaves us with possibilities and potential cap room. Next year we have Anthony, Suggs, F Wagner, Houstan, Okeke, Banchero, and Carter on guaranteed contracts. Fultz is only guaranteed $2M, but our deadline on it is 7/1/23. Isaac is guaranteed $7.6M, but we have until 1/10/24 to make a "final" decision on him. Again, my assumption is we guarantee Fultz, and retain Isaac but hold off on guaranteeing until at least part way into next season, since we have the time. That fills nine (9) of our roster spaces. We have to make decisions on G Harris and Bol by the end of June, to either guarantee their contracts for next season, or let them walk as free agents. I expect we will probably retain both, as they represent reasonable assets. That brings us up to eleven (11) spots filled. The next assumption is based on the fact that we currently have two, 1st round picks in the lottery from this draft. Those are guaranteed contracts, so we are now at thirteen (13) roster spots. If we make resigning Moe Wagner a priority (as I think we should), that brings us up to fourteen (14) spots filled for next year. That leaves only one roster spot to fill, and Schofield, Bitadze, and (possibly) K Harris with team options to fill it. We also would have (possibly) a 2nd round pick to compete for that spot as well. We would also have the 2-way slots to fill, though we could potentially already have an additional two players in those slots for the remainder of this season who would presumably be competing for the last roster spot, and for next year's 2-way slots. I'm pretty sure Schofield isn't eligible for a 2-way with us next year, and I'm not sure if Bitadze is or not. I also am not sure if K Harris would be if we convert him this year. All of that presumes you aren't trying to fill that "final" slot with an available free agent. Depending on what we resign M Wagner for (I'm assuming $3-3.5M), we could have somewhere around $16-17M under the cap for that slot. That is more than the mid-level and could get some interest from some decent, mid-level free agents. Of course, a trade or two could make all of this discussion moot, but that is part of the fun.

I had the exact same thought when I saw that news piece.

This is a tough question actually. Based on the media hype and projections at the time, I agree that prospect-wise I would have chosen Markelle, especially since Paolo's hype and discourse actually under-valued him. Comparing "apples-to-apples" of Markelle's first year (2nd, 3rd, or 4th) vs. Paolo's first, it's Paolo all the way. Now having said that, now we are (finally) seeing what a healthy Markelle brings. So I guess the fairest way of evaluating is would I trade one for the other? If I had Markelle now, and someone offered me Paolo in a straight trade, would I do it, not taking the money into account? The answer is maybe. It would probably come down to where the team development stage was - if we are ready to compete for a chip, no I keep Markelle; if we are 2-3 years out, I would probably take Paolo. I think Markelle is the more important player right now because of his play, and his affect on the rest of the team's play. I think Markelle still has upside left to develop, and I think he will reach his best sooner. I think Paolo has more upside remaining, but it may take him a little longer to "top out". I think he is more likely to reach his peak if he continues to play with Markelle, or a PG like him. I am just glad we don't have to make an either/or choice. With Kelle, Paolo, Franz, I think we have a good young core that will continue to grow and improve; I look forward to the next few years. Throw in a healthy JI, and our other young players continuing to develop, and the future is looking very bright indeed.

Exactly the kind of contract we should be offering for now .

I always felt that TRoss was misused the first few years he was here and that changed his game approach. He was a decent defender when he first got here, but because of roster shortfalls he had to put all his energy in on the offense and developed bad habits as a consequence. I wish him luck! I feel like Bamba has a lot of talent, but he plays with low energy so often. He could be so good if he played with consistent energy and worked hard on his defense and handle. I don’t wish him luck though, because he’s going to the frickin’ Lakers.

I would at least partially disagree. I like Kevon Harris, and would be okay signing him to a "rest-of-the-season" contract (and maybe a non-guaranteed contract for next year that would give us through maybe 10/31/23 to keep or waive). We have to look at our long-term as well. We currently have 13 contracts through the end of the season. For next year, we have the following: Suggs, Anthony, F Wagner, Okeke, Houstan, Banchero, Carter all are under contract. (7 roster spots) Fultz to guarantee by 7/1/23 for $17M, we would owe him $2M if we don't. (obviously we do it) (8) Isaac to guarantee by 1/10/24 for $17.4M, we would owe him $7.6M through that point in the season if we don't. (if he stays healthy through season end we at least keep him into the season) (9) Bol to guarantee by 6/30/23 for $2.2M, we would owe him nothing if we don't. (cheap, young asset; I think we do it) (10) Moe Wagner becomes a Free Agent at season end, but we have Bird rights to re-sign him (hold off/negotiate as long as possible for cap reasons, but re-sign him) (11) So looking at the listing above, we could have as many as 5-6 roster spots available, but more likely we would have 3-4. We have two, lottery, first round picks with guaranteed contracts (unless the Bulls jump into the top 4). Having one "defer" like Okeke did is a once-in-a-lifetime event. (Roster spots 12/13) That could possibly leave two open roster spots, but do we want to lock those down before training camp? Realistically, we have to look at both G Harris and K Harris, and decide if either is valuable enough to retain for the open spots next year. (14?, 15?) G Harris has to be guaranteed by 6/30/23 for $13M, or he becomes a Free Agent, we would have no rights. (I'm on the fence, but if he can stay healthy through season end, then he is a veteran, 3-and-D guard who could be an asset, so maybe) K Harris becomes a Free Agent at season end, we have no rights (unless we do something to change that before the season ends, see above) Schofield becomes a Free Agent at season end, we have Early Bird rights Hampton becomes a Free Agent at season end, unless we buy him out/waive him to sign elsewhere; I doubt he's in our plans to keep. We also currently have an early, 2nd round pick in the draft that could be a cheap, non-guaranteed player to bring into camp. Assuming we only keep one Harris, that leaves us with only one roster spot for a Free Agent, or someone to impress us in camp and win a spot. This is why I think we look at adding Kevon Harris to a rest-of-season contract, with a non-guaranteed, team-option for next year that could be guaranteed or waived after training camp or even pre-season.

Hadn’t heard too much about the conspiracy theories. I know JI was somewhat anti-vax as well.

I think TRoss is a much better person.

So we are obviously going to buyout or waive Patrick Beverly, which opens up a roster spot. If we buyout or waive T Ross that opens up a second. This brings up a couple of additional questions. 1) Do we offer to waive/buyout RJ Hampton, or do we keep him for the remainder of the season as "emergency backup" for the backcourt? He's kind of been lost in the rotation, but I like that he just keeps working on his game, offering to go down to Lakeland, etc. He's my 50/50 guy in deciding what to do with him. 2) Do we fill either or both of the roster spots opened up by Beverly and Ross? (or three if we open Hampton's spot) 3) If we fill, do we look at K Harris and/or Schofield; or do we look to fill our positions of need - 3rd string center since WCJ has been having feet issues, or a more traditional PG; or maybe one of each. Goga Bitadze had to be waived to open up a roster space if we are looking for a younger big with potential to retain him. There are some interesting names that might be available if we are just looking to fill through the end of this season. For backup centers, there is talk that Nerlens Noel, Dwayne Dedmon, or Khem Birch might be bought out if we are looking at vets for just finishing this season. On the PG side, George Hill and Cory Joseph are getting some buyout buzz. They won't get the interest that a Westbrook or Reggie Jackson will, so might be available. I like to see some G-league guys get a shot, so maybe some 10-day contracts at first? I think K Harris is a great bench guy; but we also have to remember that we probably will need roster spots for two 1st round picks and possibly a high 2nd round pick coming this summer (unless we do a trade after the season, or around the lottery/draft). I do like guys that are picked in the low-30's - you don't have to guarantee them a contract, they tend to have a chip on their shoulder for not making the first round, and they have something to prove. There is still a lot of this season left, and I don't want to "jump ahead", but if we are going down the buyout path anyway, then we should be thinking about what we need/can do with the roster spot(s) we open up.

And right on cue, Gordon is given an open lane to the bucket.

If we release or buy out Patrick Beverly, or if he is in an as-yet-unannounced trade, we might have an open roster spot. We might pick up a backup center that way, either from the G league or a recently released player.

Cole is more vocal, but he doesn't have the defensive chops to lead by example. If we can get Kelle and Suggs to work in tandem on that; letting Kelle lead on the offensive end and really pointing out spacing/positioning, etc; and have Suggs do the same on the defensive side we might have a hell of a tandem.

TMF, you rock!!

There already is an evil Danny Ainge, his name is - Danny Ainge!

Breaking news - Mo Bamba got on the floor for a loose ball!

I don’t think KD would want to play here right now and we’d probably have to gut our team to get him. I think our front court is in pretty good shape (backup center is a need), but our backcourt is still a work in progress. SG and backup PG are still inconsistent. I would like to see a smaller move or two to address those concerns. I like KD, but he doesn’t fill our needs and would require changes built around a 34 year old player.

I'm a little concerned with all of the chatter surrounding the Bulls at the trade deadline. If they decide to do a reset it could give them a better shot at a top-4 pick in the draft, which would end up screwing us out of an extra lottery pick this year. I want the Bulls to be bad enough to be in the lottery, but not so bad they increase their chances of getting lucky! I'm kind of rooting for them to make the play-in just because of the lottery implications, but I want us to make the play-in too. I want a top-4 pick with our pick AND one of the shooters projected to go in the 9-13 range with theirs! Okay, maybe that is a little greedy; but we've been waiting 10 years for a good team, so I want ALL the options potentially available to us!

Both playing.

So, just to update my previous post on a couple of our players: Moe Wagner - he is becoming the player every fan hates if he's not on your team. He always comes with in-your-face energy and attitude and always seems to get under somebody's skin on the opponents' teams. He seems to be getting better at playing with the same energy, but not out-of-control. As long as he plays this way, and as long as he is a positive influence with Franz, he is nearly untradeable. There are times he reminds me of how D Armstrong used to play. Jalen Suggs - not to put too much emphasis on a couple of games, but I am seeing signs that the game is beginning to slow down for him. Especially last night vs. Philly, he seemed to play with energy and determination, but in-control. His defense was impressive, especially in the 4th in the zone. He was everywhere at once. Bol Bol - I do like this kid, and as someone noted, it is practically his rookie season. I wouldn't mind keeping him as the 15th guy, or on a 2-way. Mo Bamba - If he consistently brought Moe Wagner's energy he would be a force to be reckoned with. We only see it in flashes, usually when he has sat for a game or two, or if coach used another big instead of him - then he comes in with attitude. Sell high on his untapped potential and hope he doesn't come back to bite us. He's exactly the kind of guy who would play us for vengeance.

Might be a bit of both

I do think he has begun to hit the "rookie wall" - the question becomes can he work through it? I think he probably can and will, but it definitely seems to be affecting him.

And Bol, please sell high!

Looking forward to seeing JI block Vuc.