Trade & FA 2025-26: Free Agency Starts 5pm CST/6pm EST

[DanSchwartzgan]

Maybe we actually can get two or three 1sts from the Bulls. I find this more and more likely to happen. Whats the point for the Bulls to let Vucevic, White and Collins walk for nothing in free agency or keep Williams around.

I agree that Chicago should use its inventory of expiring contracts to try to do something on the trade market.  BTW, Huerter and Ayo are also expiring.  If I were them, I’d probably keep Vuc as a backup on something like what Boston gave Horford in recent years.  I’d also try to keep White as I think Giddy and White make good sense as an offensive backcourt pairing.  Buzelis would also be a building block.  That still leaves Collins, Huerter and Ayo as expiring contracts this summer.

I’m not in love with this, but I could totally see AD to Chicago, Ayo and picks and enough expiring contracts to Charlotte to get/keep Dallas and Chicago under the tax and Dallas gets Ball and its 2027 pick back (or at least make it lottery protected instead of top 2 protected).  There are a dozen ways to fill in the blanks.  You have to send Charlotte a PG, so either White of Ayo goes there.  Davis fits nicely in a Chicago big rotation with Vuc and Buzelis.  Ball, Kyrie and Max work as a guard rotation.  Since Charlotte is the one giving up a “star” player without getting one back, they get the bulk of the pick equity from Chicago.

It kind of makes sense for everyone if you assume Ball wants out.  I’m aware of Ball’s imperfections.  This is more prediction that something I’m hoping for.  The question with Ball (besides health) would be whether Kyrie could have a positive influence on his professionalism or not.  Ball has always been the best player anywhere he’s been.  If he were the 3rd best player, would he make better choices?  I guess PJ would be a good one to ask as to whether Ball is redeemable or not.  Sadly, I don’t see a ton of great alternatives.  If you are the Dallas brain trust, so you take Ball, control of your pick and control of your finances (you get under the tax), or would you hold onto Davis (and the impact that might have on the tank) and risk his next big injury happening before you can rehab his value?