25 Jan 2016 12:38:51
realEAST would this work?

CHI/ DEN

CHI get Danilo Gallinari and JJ Hickson

DEN get injured Noah's contract, Nikola Mirotic, SAC 1st round pick and CHI 2 2nd round picks

* Bulls get a legit scoring option beside Rose and Butler while getting a defensive back up big

* Nuggets trade Gallo for assets while he's still red hot.

CHI

Pg Rose/ Hinrich/ Brooks
Sg Butler/ Dunleavy
Sf Gallinari/ McDermott
Pf Gibson/ Portis
Ce Gasol/ Hickson/ Bairstow

DEN

Pg Mudiay/ Nelson
Sg Harris/ Barton/ Foye
Sf Mirotic/ Chandler
Pf Faried/ Arthur
Ce Nurkic/ Jokic/ Lauvergne.

1.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 13:01:36
Not too far, maybe have to add McDermott to make it go through.

2.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 13:03:27
Add McDermott and Gary Harris? would it work (ironic that they traded these 2 during draft day)

3.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 13:55:10
that bulls line up is WAY too big lmao.

4.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 14:07:29
@USA, without Harris in my opinion, I value him above McDermott for what he has shown this season, and since he is younger. Gallo has good season, and value, he would cost two prospects and mid-late 1st pick, especially since Denver is in no need to sell (but would be tempting to receive two good prospects, in Gallinari mold, to grow with the core
)
Bulls messed up big time in my opinion, basically giving up on Harris and Nurkic for McDermott, both of them being better prospects than he is.

This deal leaves them with some flexibility for summer, cause between Rose, Butler, Gallo, Taj, Snell, Portis, Felicio and pick + cap hold, they would have 20 mil of cap space (15 if they don't get rid of Dunleavy), which is fine for filling up starting C, and back ups. Let's say cut Dunleavy, they can offer 14-17 mil per season for Ezeli, which should do it (closer to 17 I guess) and have around 5 mil in cap, and that more in cap exception to fill bench (also can resign some former players over the cap if needed)

Rose-Butler-Gallo-Taj-Ezeli

with Portis coming for Taj at the end of season, and with Rose expiring (2017.) , Gallo having player option, gives them flexibility to go after someone next summer too, in coordination and depending on production of core they already have.

5.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 15:15:40
Ezeli 17m/ year? Why not just start Portis-Gibson. Gibson played tremendous last year when he was starting.

6.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 15:50:54
Ezeli will get payed, that's for sure (maybe not 17, but between 14 and 17 def) . Portis can still improve and learn, and that would be easier being sort of big 6th man. Gibson is slightly undersized for C, at just 6'9, although superb athletically, more of forward. Also, will have only one year of contract, at age 31, CHI should be looking for more long term solutions, and I think Ezeli is a very good one, given very good D, fine post off (even as passer), athleticism.

Other option is to try trading now for a prospect big (like Noel), and then go after wing in FA; but I think this is more realistic way to go.

7.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 17:26:13
I have zero clue why you think its definite between 14 and 17 million for Ezeli. Offensively, he has ZERO range. He grabs boards and plays some defense, but no where near elite. Not to mention, he missed all of the 2013-14 season becaue of knee surgery, significant time the next year because of an ankle.

Here are the centers that are pending free agents, you really think he's one of the most coveted?

Drummond, Howard, Whiteside, Jefferson, Noah, Zaza. Just a tad bit of an overhype to think a franchise is going to bet its future on Festus to the extent of 17 million.

8.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 17:39:58
This year everybody gets overpayed, that's the thing (he would be 10-12 mil C this summer, with this level of play - athletic, good finisher around rim, very good defender, good passer) .

Drummond, restricted, max offered or matched by DET, not going nowhere for sure
Howard, is at the moment something like Ezeli, but has that primadona mentality (on off, on D, athletically, with all the injuries; just few years older)
Whiteside, going to get max somewhere (Ezeli is couple mil cheaper)
Jefferson, Noah really doubt they are starter quality any more, with age and injuries, and game limited to one end
Zaza is hard worker, but not an exceptional player, also past 30.

Thing is, once Whiteside decides (considering Drummond not leaving DET, and everybody realizes that), all the other C's are going to become more expensive, as teams switch focus to them. And 15-17 mil is going to be a normal salary for a good starter who is about to play through his prime (age 26 and on)

9.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 18:02:48
Lol ezeli will not get paid 17 million. His performance this year besides the 1st month or so has been extremely sub par. 10-12 is somewhat realistic but to say guaranteed 17 is crazy. Only way he makes that much is if bogut goes down for the season and he becomes a starting C and produces big time. Other than that no team will give him 17 million.

10.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 18:20:04
If someone acts quick, before Whiteside is signed, he can be tied for 3yrs/ 40-42 mil or 4yrs/ 50-52 mil, I don't think he'll go for less; but after Whiteside signs somewhere he won't go under 4yrs/ 60 mil. (thing is, it takes only one desperate team to push others there)
He played consistently for only one month, but league is well aware what can be of him if given starting minutes and some consistency.