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.

  • 2020IsANightmareBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    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.

  • kzapwnBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    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

  • SubZero_dot785BEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    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

  • AB-AA-MobileBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    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.