Aren't they deliberately tanking in 2024 to ensure that they will keep their top-10 protected pick in the '25 draft?

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It sure looks that way...and they should.

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“Mr. Trump is unfit for our nation’s highest office.”- JD Vance
“My god, what an !diot.”- JD Vance tweet on Trump
“I’m a ‘Never Trump’ guy”- JD Vance

If they are tanking I'd hope that there are more franchise players in next year's draft than just Cooper Flagg. I think he's the goods but you can't really bank on getting him. Hopefully there are 2-3 other franchise guys in the draft also.

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Cooper Flagg by some accounts was dominant in a scrimmage against Team USA the other day.

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I saw that. His highlight videos are very impressive--and I like his swagger--but I'm surprised he was apparently able to be so effective against high-level NBA players.

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Some of the people that I know that have coached against him in AAU say that he plays with an edge. Great kid off the floor but on it he plays with a mean streak.
I think he is going to be a very good pro. Don't know about great just yet however. I wonder how some of his game (for instance shotblocking/dominant defender/good but not great offensive player/average athleticism) will translate to the NBA. Early returns however are not bad and he's currently the No. 1 overall in what looks to be a great draft next year.

I've been trying to brush up on it with what appears to be a tanking season for the Bulls. It looks like the top 5-6 guys will be elite NBA Players but it's early. A lot of times once it actually comes time to draft them, then all of a sudden they become extremely ordinary as prospects

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The Paw pops up 3rd on Yahoo's list of the 7 worst contracts of the offseason.

https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-free-agenc ... 29267.html

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In NBA terms his contract was a pittance.

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“Mr. Trump is unfit for our nation’s highest office.”- JD Vance
“My god, what an !diot.”- JD Vance tweet on Trump
“I’m a ‘Never Trump’ guy”- JD Vance

There are some far worse deals that have been signed this summer than his. OG was a massive overpay. So was Quickley.

If the Paw is as good as I think he will be considered underpaid by this time next year.

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Another thing about this kid is that he is an ultimate competitor Midget. Saw it in AAU last spring and Summer when he remained on the squad with his guys from.Maine. instead of going to play with the teams from Florida that were much more talented. His squad was rolling but only really had he and his brother on it.
A lot of other kids would have bounced to play on teams with more talent, but he didn't. And even though he could have jacked up a zillion shots as by far the best player on the squad, he didn't. And was still able to dominate most games nonetheless. He was controlling most games without being a dominant scorer. Said a lot about the kid's talent.

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When SpiralStairs finds out the Bulls have drafted Cooper Fagg....

I actually agree with AK about this. Don't just give Lavine away for nothing. He still has value.

https://hoopshype.com/2024/07/15/artura ... us-better/

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I didn't get much from their comments. I agree - no reason to trade Lavine right now, especially if you need to trade draft picks for someone to take him. Maybe a strong first half and another half season off of that contract will make him more attractive although I really can't ever see the Bulls getting much in return other than maybe some salary relief.

He could make trouble but I'm thinking that if they give him a fair shot, he'll tow the line. He himself knows his contract is a bit unmovable.