Chicago Bulls 2024-2025
- Status
I think many of us just feel that Ayo is “One of us”. We see a bit of ourselves out there when he’s on the court.
You just can’t get around the importance of his being a local, proud, talented Illinois guy. And the fact that he is just such a solid person off the court as well.
I would agree that if it’s best for his career to be elsewhere, then he should find new surroundings. And most of us will still be fans of his and remain in his corner.
But the potential combination of his being an Illini... AND being a local guy... and one day enjoying success on the West Side just checks off all the boxes.
The Bulls have not always been this pathetic. We know that and remember the great successes. We want to believe that Ayo can still be here when the Bulls finally get a clue and turn things around.
But our need or desire for him to remain a Bull should not be greater than our hopes to see him prosper the best he can.
I would hope that the Bulls franchise understands how special he is to the Illinois community and consider that when making future plans for the team... and for Ayo.
NBA front office rankings: Celtics, OKC at the top, Mavericks sink after Luka trade, but they're not No. 30
With a wild trade deadline in the rearview mirror, we divided the NBA's 30 front offices into 11 different tiers
www.cbssports.com
Worst front office in the NBA per CBS
Well there is a surprise, huh? They’ve managed to do a few things right, but those are buried under an avalanche of bad moves. For me, two moves really tell the story of Arturas’ tenure — the drafting of Williams and the trading of LaVine.NBA front office rankings: Celtics, OKC at the top, Mavericks sink after Luka trade, but they're not No. 30
With a wild trade deadline in the rearview mirror, we divided the NBA's 30 front offices into 11 different tiers
Worst front office in the NBA per CBS
Bulls had the bad luck of finishing 4th in the lottery in what was considered a weak draft with 3 top players. In hindsight, the way Wiseman has turned out, really only two. The two guys I remember being mentioned most often as potential picks that I was most interested in were Tyrese Haliburton and Deni Avdija. Tyrese would have certainly been a much better pick. I don’t follow NBA close enough to say whether Deni would have been, though stats make it look like he might have been. But it is the handling of Williams that compounded things. Refused to trade him when he had some value and then sign him to a bad second contract.
The LaVine trade I’ve commented about before on here and the article sums up why it was a failure. The big issue beyond actually finding Arturas’ trades that the Bulls won is his reluctance to tear the team down and trade trade their top pieces. He waits and waits — assuming because he thinks he’ll get a better haul — and then gets nothing for them anyway. Got next to nothing for both DeRozan and LaVine, and I expect the same when he finally trades Vuc.
There is no way I let Arturas and his team make another draft pick for Bulls. Arguably his best pick since he’s been there is Ayo, who basically fell into his lap. Though from his February, it looks like Buzelis could be a good player (though haven’t seen him play this month to see what’s behind those numbers).
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
The Bulls last two front office regimes have been so far below the standard of basic competence that could be expected of any basketball professional that it seems crystal clear that the problem lies above them.NBA front office rankings: Celtics, OKC at the top, Mavericks sink after Luka trade, but they're not No. 30
With a wild trade deadline in the rearview mirror, we divided the NBA's 30 front offices into 11 different tiers
Worst front office in the NBA per CBS
Yes, the obvious pick was Avdija; almost fell off my chair when they chose Williams. And yes, Bulls would have been a better team with Deni , who was misused by the Wiz, but has been balling out in Portland.
Had the same reaction to the Williams pick. Arturas’ drafting reminds me a lot of Pace when with the Bears They both drafted like they want to prove they’re the smartest guys in the league and pick players well before they should be. With Pace it was taking guys from small schools much too high. He hit on Cohen but missed on so many others and we’re not talking about 7th rounders but wasted picks in the mid-rounds.
Might as well at this point. Especially if the Bulls are going to properly tank the way they should have been since the trade deadline.
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
where are all the trade Coby guys now?
I’d trade him in a heart beat if they can get value. Just don’t see him being the guy on a good team. Been down that road already with LaVine. He could score too and where did that get us.
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
White has come a loooong way from the talented, but inconsistent, shooter that he was: https://chicago.suntimes.com/bulls/2025/03/24/bulls-guard-coby-white-collecting-hardware-and-praise
development doesn't have to stop when a guy hits 21-22. White's a great example
development doesn't have to stop when a guy hits 21-22. White's a great example
His overall shooting percentage has been basically the same the last 4 seasons and his 3-pt% is under his career percentage this year. Not saying his overall game hasn’t improved, but he’s also not 21 or 22 anymore either. Just don’t see him as “the guy” on a good team. We’re not talking Jimmy Butler here, who I believe was traded about the same age as White is now.
He's still the same inconsistent, maddening player he's always been. He's just on a heater right now, and props to him for the month he's putting together. But he's not shooting lights out from 3 or something. Here's his 3pt % numbers for each month so far. Oct 34.0 /Nov 39.3 /
Dec 29.3 / Jan 42.0 / Feb 35.3 / Mar 36.1. Those inconsistent percentages are just so frustrating. The reason for his bigger numbers this month is because his shot volume has gone up by almost 6.5 shots a game due to Ayo and Lonzo being out with injuries. Once those two come back it'll take away from his mins and his numbers will come back down to earth. Let's hope he finishes this season on this hot streak and the Bulls capitalize on it this off-season when his value has never been higher and they trade him. But we all know this front office is waaay too incompetent to do something like that. That would make too much logical sense.
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
Lonzo's knee had something to do with it
Is Lonzo playing again? How does he look?
Ryllini
- Lombard
He is out, should be back this week. I'm so glad they could hitch the wagon to his star.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Under no circumstances should all four of White, Giddey, Ball and Ayo be on the team next year. Doubly so if they're thinking of re-signing Tre Jones as has been mooted.
Ball is the guy they should trade and I suspect he'd like to be traded, but Ayo on that fantastic contract could be dangled as well.
The sliver of hope here for the Bulls is that it looks like White and Giddey works as a backcourt. Add in some development from Buzelis and you're getting part of the way there.
I went to watch the Bulls vs GS in SF, I think just after the Bulls signed Lonzo, about 3-4 yr ago?
Anyway, I was amazed that he did nothing. He didn't guard, he didn't run up and down the court, he hardly scored.
It was absolutely bizarre. If he was injured when they signed him, they should have failed his medical and voided the deal.
I sure hope he can play well again, but I don't have my hopes up.
And yet, he had that team humming; first place in the East I believe before he reinjured the knee and had to miss the next two and a half seasons.
mattcoldagelli
- Script Illinois Enthusiast
Giddey w/ a trip-dub and beats the Lakers with a half-court heave. WHAT is going on here?
Can’t remember last ending to any game more wild than that. Wow.
MustangWally
- Mayfield
- Status