CHI-DEN

[Chicago Bulls]

Chicago gives up:

Jimmy Butler(12/12/12/12)

Denver gives up:

Bam Adebayo(0.7)

The waived contracts of:

Terrence Ross(0.5)
Donte Divincenzo(1.6)
Dion Waiters(who I count as a waived, for all intents and purposes)(1/1/1)
De'Anthony Melton(1/1/1)
Trey Burke(1/1)
Nikola Mirotic(3.5/3.5)
John Henson (again)(0.5/0.5)
Grant Williams(1.5/1.6)
PJ Tucker(0.5/0.5)
(Comes out to 11.1/9.1/2 in waiveds)

I accept. I'm in need of a real young star, and Bam fits that bill. I might be high on him, but this past offseason Nuggets offered me Bam + Morris + a 2nd for Butler and I really regret not doing it. Bam puts up nearly the same production as Butler, but with a much higher upside, and on a much younger body. He's who I plan to base my core around.

[Denver Nuggets]

I accept. Like Chicago, I had envisioned building my core around Bam for the next 5 years. He’s the next jokic. However, my offseason moves and trades have left me with a lot of lengthy contracts on the books. I was going to be in a tough spot to afford Bam next offseason. Butler should produce similar stats for a lot less money now that my cap sheet is relatively clean. I also save a resign that I’d prefer not to use so early in the 5 year window.

[Phoenix Suns]

I think this trade is fine on the surface (Bam for Butler).

Butler is the better contract and he's secured long term, but he's on the wrong side of 30 and oft injured (as the Nuggets has been so fond of reminding everyone before acquiring him.)

Bam is the better player to own given the similar production and young age, although he requires a re-sign.

I'd rather own Bam the player, but in another sense I'd rather own Butler's contract in Guru. That kind of makes it OK, although my spreadsheet tells me Butler is SLIGHTLY more value on an absolute basis. Given the trajectory of both teams though it makes more sense for Chicago to own Bam (although, his 8 first-rounders all require re-signs in the same period as Bam, so if more than 2 of those 8 are studs, he'll have to trade them.)

So, I think Bam for Butler is a wash.

Then, you have the dead money. This is a huge win for the despised and despicable (and I can only assume hideously deformed Elephant man-like appearance) Nuggets.

11m this year, fine, you've got tons of cap and you're not competing. But 9m next year and 2m the next? Can't say I'm a fan IN A VACUUM.

In reality, Chicago has so much cap and those rookies are very far from developing, so in practice this 9m is not significant.

BUT IT'S THE PRINCIPAL!

(and, also, the Nuggets -- who are much reviled.)

The reality is that cap will never get used or be relevant so this trade is still mostly Butler for Bam for Chicago, which is a positive move for him.

But sadly it's even more positive for the much-maligned and malicious Nuggets, who gets a good long-term contract AND significant cap relief for 2 years, which is very upsetting.

Good move for both teams in the final analysis.

I approve.

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

I approve. I hate it, but that’s probably just me being personally insulted. I am clearly not high enough on Bam, who will effectively be paid like $25 million for next year. Spoze the fantasy points look like they are there, though.

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Trade passed and processed.