[FarmBoy]

As part of the Derrick Rose deal. It's too bad as I think Lopez was will situated there and playing alongside Porsingus for the next X years would probably help him as well.

[FarmBoy]

As part of the Derrick Rose deal. It's too bad as I think Lopez was will situated there and playing alongside Porsingus for the next X years would probably help him as well.

[winflop]

On the flipside, other than Nikola Mirotic & Taj Gibson the Bulls don't really have another big man (Noah & Gasol are free agents and won't be back).  He's got a fantastic opportunity to be a starter.

I expect the Bulls to be able to offer two max contracts to free agents, which allows them to look at a package deal to entire higher quality FA's to come play with All-Star Jimmy Butler.  Fairly compelling.

[winflop]

On the flipside, other than Nikola Mirotic & Taj Gibson the Bulls don't really have another big man (Noah & Gasol are free agents and won't be back).  He's got a fantastic opportunity to be a starter.

I expect the Bulls to be able to offer two max contracts to free agents, which allows them to look at a package deal to entire higher quality FA's to come play with All-Star Jimmy Butler.  Fairly compelling.

[fullmetal]

Lopez has been a solid contributor though without eye-popping stats.  It's a decent way to introduce himself to a new major metropolitan market.

It is sad that he'll have to leave Brook alone in the NYC area.

The loss of the dependable Lopez shouldn’t be overlooked: His departure creates a giant hole in the middle for New York, who ranked No. 18 in defensive efficiency in large part because Lopez was able to stay healthy for all 82 games last year. Barring a major acquisition this summer or a significant step forward from Porzingis as an interior defender, the Knicks are in line to struggle mightily on defense next year.


The Bulls can reasonably argue that by acquiring Lopez, who averaged 10.3 PPG and 7.3 RPG while posting a 17.6 PER last season, they got the best player in this deal. He excels at the little things—screen-setting, rim protection, offensive rebounding—that are crucial for a team with ambitions of returning to the postseason. Moreover, Lopez represents a bridge to the future in the event that unrestricted free agents Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol move on this summer as expected.

At the same time, the slow-footed and robotic Lopez is a questionable fit stylistically if Hoiberg is serious about instituting an up-tempo style. Given their projected 2016–17 depth chart, the Bulls will need to strike a compromise approach that puts Lopez in a position to be successful, otherwise their interior defense will be springing serious leaks. They’ll also need to target a starting point guard to play a secondary role to Butler, as the 34-year-old Calderon isn’t the long-term answer to any team’s questions.

http://www.si.com/nba/2016/06/22/derrick...e-calderon


A Twitter pundit has already noted that Lopez's departure leaves the Knicks defenseless...against mascots.

[tweet]745724747921645568[/tweet]

[fullmetal]

Lopez has been a solid contributor though without eye-popping stats.  It's a decent way to introduce himself to a new major metropolitan market.

It is sad that he'll have to leave Brook alone in the NYC area.

The loss of the dependable Lopez shouldn’t be overlooked: His departure creates a giant hole in the middle for New York, who ranked No. 18 in defensive efficiency in large part because Lopez was able to stay healthy for all 82 games last year. Barring a major acquisition this summer or a significant step forward from Porzingis as an interior defender, the Knicks are in line to struggle mightily on defense next year.


The Bulls can reasonably argue that by acquiring Lopez, who averaged 10.3 PPG and 7.3 RPG while posting a 17.6 PER last season, they got the best player in this deal. He excels at the little things—screen-setting, rim protection, offensive rebounding—that are crucial for a team with ambitions of returning to the postseason. Moreover, Lopez represents a bridge to the future in the event that unrestricted free agents Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol move on this summer as expected.

At the same time, the slow-footed and robotic Lopez is a questionable fit stylistically if Hoiberg is serious about instituting an up-tempo style. Given their projected 2016–17 depth chart, the Bulls will need to strike a compromise approach that puts Lopez in a position to be successful, otherwise their interior defense will be springing serious leaks. They’ll also need to target a starting point guard to play a secondary role to Butler, as the 34-year-old Calderon isn’t the long-term answer to any team’s questions.

http://www.si.com/nba/2016/06/22/derrick...e-calderon


A Twitter pundit has already noted that Lopez's departure leaves the Knicks defenseless...against mascots.

[tweet]745724747921645568[/tweet]

[Mick]

On the flipside, other than Nikola Mirotic & Taj Gibson the Bulls don't really have another big man (Noah & Gasol are free agents and won't be back).  He's got a fantastic opportunity to be a starter.

I expect the Bulls to be able to offer two max contracts to free agents, which allows them to look at a package deal to entire higher quality FA's to come play with All-Star Jimmy Butler.  Fairly compelling.

Good, maybe they'll offer max packages to Ezeli and Barnes.

[Mick]

On the flipside, other than Nikola Mirotic & Taj Gibson the Bulls don't really have another big man (Noah & Gasol are free agents and won't be back).  He's got a fantastic opportunity to be a starter.

I expect the Bulls to be able to offer two max contracts to free agents, which allows them to look at a package deal to entire higher quality FA's to come play with All-Star Jimmy Butler.  Fairly compelling.

Good, maybe they'll offer max packages to Ezeli and Barnes.

[winflop]

[quote author=winflop link=topic=15227.msg165405#msg165405 date=1466627408]
On the flipside, other than Nikola Mirotic & Taj Gibson the Bulls don't really have another big man (Noah & Gasol are free agents and won't be back).  He's got a fantastic opportunity to be a starter.

I expect the Bulls to be able to offer two max contracts to free agents, which allows them to look at a package deal to entire higher quality FA's to come play with All-Star Jimmy Butler.  Fairly compelling.

Good, maybe they'll offer max packages to Ezeli and Barnes.
[/quote]

LOL.

I'm guessing Mike Conley & Al Horford.  I'd love to think they have a shot at DeRozan or even Durant but that's dreaming.

I could see Conley & Horford fitting really well with Butler & Lopez.

[winflop]

[quote author=winflop link=topic=15227.msg165405#msg165405 date=1466627408]
On the flipside, other than Nikola Mirotic & Taj Gibson the Bulls don't really have another big man (Noah & Gasol are free agents and won't be back).  He's got a fantastic opportunity to be a starter.

I expect the Bulls to be able to offer two max contracts to free agents, which allows them to look at a package deal to entire higher quality FA's to come play with All-Star Jimmy Butler.  Fairly compelling.

Good, maybe they'll offer max packages to Ezeli and Barnes.
[/quote]

LOL.

I'm guessing Mike Conley & Al Horford.  I'd love to think they have a shot at DeRozan or even Durant but that's dreaming.

I could see Conley & Horford fitting really well with Butler & Lopez.

[ThePassionOfTheChryst]

[quote author=winflop link=topic=15227.msg165405#msg165405 date=1466627408]
On the flipside, other than Nikola Mirotic & Taj Gibson the Bulls don't really have another big man (Noah & Gasol are free agents and won't be back).  He's got a fantastic opportunity to be a starter.

I expect the Bulls to be able to offer two max contracts to free agents, which allows them to look at a package deal to entire higher quality FA's to come play with All-Star Jimmy Butler.  Fairly compelling.

Good, maybe they'll offer max packages to Ezeli and Barnes.
[/quote]

I approve this message.

[ThePassionOfTheChryst]

[quote author=winflop link=topic=15227.msg165405#msg165405 date=1466627408]
On the flipside, other than Nikola Mirotic & Taj Gibson the Bulls don't really have another big man (Noah & Gasol are free agents and won't be back).  He's got a fantastic opportunity to be a starter.

I expect the Bulls to be able to offer two max contracts to free agents, which allows them to look at a package deal to entire higher quality FA's to come play with All-Star Jimmy Butler.  Fairly compelling.

Good, maybe they'll offer max packages to Ezeli and Barnes.
[/quote]

I approve this message.

[gocard14]

[quote author=winflop link=topic=15227.msg165405#msg165405 date=1466627408]
On the flipside, other than Nikola Mirotic & Taj Gibson the Bulls don't really have another big man (Noah & Gasol are free agents and won't be back).  He's got a fantastic opportunity to be a starter.

I expect the Bulls to be able to offer two max contracts to free agents, which allows them to look at a package deal to entire higher quality FA's to come play with All-Star Jimmy Butler.  Fairly compelling.

Good, maybe they'll offer max packages to Ezeli and Barnes.
[/quote]

Finals choke job aside, both of them have been truly valuable players for the Warriors in the past few years.  Barnes has been an essential part of the small ball line ups in that he can defend well, (usually) shoots pretty well, and can occasionally create his own shot when the splash brothers are struggling.  Obviously if we can get Durant, thats a brobdingnagian upgrade so so long Barnes, but if we can't Barnes choke job may have done us a favor in lowering his price. 

For Ezeli it is true that I feel he hurt the W's much more then he helped in the finals.  I blame Kerr for this mostly, who kept putting him out there (maybe without much choice given how banged up Iguodala was). However, I feel that having a good defensive center is key for the Warriors to get through the 82 game regular season.  It has to be taxing for everyone in the all small ball lineups to guard men larger then themselves, but Green especially gets a tough job in guarding opposing 5s.

I'm also no cap expert, but remember that in Basketball, it is much easier to retain your own players then try to acquire free agents once you're over the cap, which the Warriors certainly are. There may be no easy way to replace Barnes or Ezeli with players of similar quality on the free agent market, especially given how the Warriors have helped set up a high$ market for players who can shoot and play defense.

[gocard14]

[quote author=winflop link=topic=15227.msg165405#msg165405 date=1466627408]
On the flipside, other than Nikola Mirotic & Taj Gibson the Bulls don't really have another big man (Noah & Gasol are free agents and won't be back).  He's got a fantastic opportunity to be a starter.

I expect the Bulls to be able to offer two max contracts to free agents, which allows them to look at a package deal to entire higher quality FA's to come play with All-Star Jimmy Butler.  Fairly compelling.

Good, maybe they'll offer max packages to Ezeli and Barnes.
[/quote]

Finals choke job aside, both of them have been truly valuable players for the Warriors in the past few years.  Barnes has been an essential part of the small ball line ups in that he can defend well, (usually) shoots pretty well, and can occasionally create his own shot when the splash brothers are struggling.  Obviously if we can get Durant, thats a brobdingnagian upgrade so so long Barnes, but if we can't Barnes choke job may have done us a favor in lowering his price. 

For Ezeli it is true that I feel he hurt the W's much more then he helped in the finals.  I blame Kerr for this mostly, who kept putting him out there (maybe without much choice given how banged up Iguodala was). However, I feel that having a good defensive center is key for the Warriors to get through the 82 game regular season.  It has to be taxing for everyone in the all small ball lineups to guard men larger then themselves, but Green especially gets a tough job in guarding opposing 5s.

I'm also no cap expert, but remember that in Basketball, it is much easier to retain your own players then try to acquire free agents once you're over the cap, which the Warriors certainly are. There may be no easy way to replace Barnes or Ezeli with players of similar quality on the free agent market, especially given how the Warriors have helped set up a high$ market for players who can shoot and play defense.

[Mick]

Finals choke job aside, both of them have been truly valuable players for the Warriors in the past few years.  Barnes has been an essential part of the small ball line ups in that he can defend well, (usually) shoots pretty well, and can occasionally create his own shot when the splash brothers are struggling.  Obviously if we can get Durant, thats a of exceedingly large proportions upgrade so so long Barnes, but if we can't Barnes choke job may have done us a favor in lowering his price.

Barnes benefits from a fully functioning lineup that includes a healthy Curry, Thompson, Bogut and Green.  That's what he had during the season and he pumped in 3's at a rate virtually identical to Green's, although his rebounds were about 60% of Green's.  Barnes doesn't like to mix it up, and my sense is that he can get intimidated.

Barnes asked for four years at $72 million $18 million a year.  We can get (I think) Durant for the max, which is $25 million per year.  Here's the thing...Curry has far less than the max and Green has less than the max.  Ego-wise, it would be foolish to add either Barnes or Ezeli at or close to the max because they are so flawed as players, whereas giving the max to Durant is fine and perfectly acceptable. 

For Ezeli it is true that I feel he hurt the W's much more then he helped in the finals.  I blame Kerr for this mostly, who kept putting him out there (maybe without much choice given how banged up Iguodala was). However, I feel that having a good defensive center is key for the Warriors to get through the 82 game regular season.  It has to be taxing for everyone in the all small ball lineups to guard men larger then themselves, but Green especially gets a tough job in guarding opposing 5s. 

Bogut is a terrific shot blocker, a solid rebounder, a great passer and a good screen setter.  He is not a defensive genius, but certainly good enough.  I hope they pick a good defensive center in the draft, they certainly want a rotation player.

I'm also no cap expert, but remember that in Basketball, it is much easier to retain your own players then try to acquire free agents once you're over the cap, which the Warriors certainly are. There may be no easy way to replace Barnes or Ezeli with players of similar quality on the free agent market, especially given how the Warriors have helped set up a high$ market for players who can shoot and play defense.

They would have to get rid of either Bogut or Iguodala, and Barnes, so there's that.

This is the best article to read on the subject:
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/20...9326171875

[Mick]

Finals choke job aside, both of them have been truly valuable players for the Warriors in the past few years.  Barnes has been an essential part of the small ball line ups in that he can defend well, (usually) shoots pretty well, and can occasionally create his own shot when the splash brothers are struggling.  Obviously if we can get Durant, thats a of exceedingly large proportions upgrade so so long Barnes, but if we can't Barnes choke job may have done us a favor in lowering his price.

Barnes benefits from a fully functioning lineup that includes a healthy Curry, Thompson, Bogut and Green.  That's what he had during the season and he pumped in 3's at a rate virtually identical to Green's, although his rebounds were about 60% of Green's.  Barnes doesn't like to mix it up, and my sense is that he can get intimidated.

Barnes asked for four years at $72 million $18 million a year.  We can get (I think) Durant for the max, which is $25 million per year.  Here's the thing...Curry has far less than the max and Green has less than the max.  Ego-wise, it would be foolish to add either Barnes or Ezeli at or close to the max because they are so flawed as players, whereas giving the max to Durant is fine and perfectly acceptable. 

For Ezeli it is true that I feel he hurt the W's much more then he helped in the finals.  I blame Kerr for this mostly, who kept putting him out there (maybe without much choice given how banged up Iguodala was). However, I feel that having a good defensive center is key for the Warriors to get through the 82 game regular season.  It has to be taxing for everyone in the all small ball lineups to guard men larger then themselves, but Green especially gets a tough job in guarding opposing 5s. 

Bogut is a terrific shot blocker, a solid rebounder, a great passer and a good screen setter.  He is not a defensive genius, but certainly good enough.  I hope they pick a good defensive center in the draft, they certainly want a rotation player.

I'm also no cap expert, but remember that in Basketball, it is much easier to retain your own players then try to acquire free agents once you're over the cap, which the Warriors certainly are. There may be no easy way to replace Barnes or Ezeli with players of similar quality on the free agent market, especially given how the Warriors have helped set up a high$ market for players who can shoot and play defense.

They would have to get rid of either Bogut or Iguodala, and Barnes, so there's that.

This is the best article to read on the subject:
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawakami/20...9326171875