Written by Chris Walker (@cwlkr20) and Tim Lewis (@MrTeeLew)

Image courtesy of Flickr

Between salary cap fluctuations, the NBA’s lopsided distribution of talent, and what is perceived to be one of the deepest NBA drafts in recent memory, the value of assets has never been more subjective. This has lead to a slew of controversial moves by the (for better or worse) who’s who of the league’s general managers. Here, Chris and Tim decide to share some of their less popular perspectives following a landscape-shifting 2017 NBA draft.

The Bulls Won the Jimmy Butler Trade

Kris Dunn, Lauri Markkanen, and Zach LaVine for Jimmy Butler and Justin Patton? What? That’s what people will be thinking in 10 years looking back on this deal, wondering how the Bulls pulled it off.

Butler will be 28 by season’s start, making him 7 years older than the Wolves’ other pillars, Karl Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. This tells us Minnesota is making their push now. In accord, their window has shrunk. LaVine, Dunn and Markkanen are all high-upside, talented players that could develop into a formidable core themselves.

Additionally, there’s only one ball, and Ricky Rubio can’t play without it. This makes for a questionable situation, as a ball-dominant Jimmy Butler joins a like-minded unit. It’s also possible the former Bull sees a sharp decline in productivity as he ages, with a style dependent on athleticism and foul shooting. Justin Patton is a raw, high-upside throw in, but with this move, how dedicated are the Timberwolves to development?

Meanwhile, the Bulls have restocked on young talent. Lauri Markkanen will arrive as perhaps THE best shooting 7 footer in the NBA. Kris Dunn has the opportunity to learn from his player comparison, as Dwyane Wade has picked up his player option to remain with the Chicago Bulls. Fortunately for Zach LaVine, ACL tears aren’t the career jeopardizer they once were. The world’s bounciest basketball player still possesses enormous potential, and will have room to explore his limitations with a rebuilding Bulls team. — Tim Lewis

The Kings Are Getting Smart

Honestly, I never expected the Kings to have a solid draft. I literally made jokes about them taking another European center in the lottery, for weeks! Hell, they technically had the 3rd pick this year, if not for their 2015 trade of Nik Stauskas.

Nonetheless, they made smart moves starting with the DeMarcus Cousins trade. The most important portion of that exchange with the Pelicans isn’t Cousins or even Buddy Hield, but the 1st round pick Sacramento gained. I figured they’d try to move up and acquire a top 3 pick for their two lottery selections, a very Kings move.

Instead, Sacramento had the best draft of any team in the league. Picking up De’Aaron Fox at 5 was easy, since the Kentucky point guard is a strong 2-way player and has a high ceiling. From there, Vlade traded the 10th selection for the Portland Trailblazers’ 15th and 20th picks. The Kings grabbed UNC’s Justin Jackson and Duke’s Harry Giles, a safe forward, and a high-risk, high-reward center/power forward, respectively. They didn’t overreach for either; Sacramento moved down, like a rational team. As well, the Kings picked up Frank Mason with the 34th pick, just because he was the best player available.

By refilling at positions of need and getting best available talent, the Kings outperformed expectations. They’ll be terrible next year, but at least they’re getting smarter. — Chris Walker

Charlotte Gets a Gem

Video Credit: ReBorn HD Highlights (via YouTube)

Some speculated that Malik Monk would fall, as an undersized shooting guard didn’t fit a need for many teams. Here’s a little secret: MALIK MONK IS A POINT GUARD. Or a combo guard. But not just a shooting guard. Even John Calipari said so:

“Again, you look at Malik and I think the interest in Malik is because he can play both 1 and 2 and he can score the ball. So, if you play other players and playmakers, he’s done it here. With Malik, what people have talked to me about, the teams, is we didn’t realize he was as good in pick-and-roll as he is. And I laughed and I said, well, they said the same thing about Eric Bledsoe.”

A lot of teams made a mistake, it’s that simple. Kemba Walker and Nicolas Batum get a dynamic scorer to open up the floor, much like Jeremy Lin did. And when I say “much like Jeremy Lin did,” I mean “much better than Jeremy Lin did.” The Hornets may continue to revel in mediocrity, ultimately selling off their established players to the highest bidder. If that’s the case, they have an enticing piece to build around in Malik Monk. — T.L.

Who Knows What the Fuck Celtics Actually Do Next

I understand not going for Jimmy Butler, even though you could beaten Minnesota’s offer. However, there’s still some questions.

Moving down from 1 to 3 was like taking a wicked big piss on everything you’ve built, starting with the Brooklyn Nets trade. And apparently for a player you wanted at 1 but knew would be there at 3? What made you not want Markelle Fultz? Was it that he was a point guard? Was it loving Isaiah Thomas that much? Did Fultz not convince you over dinner at B.Good?

And then you go with Duke’s Jayson Tatum, who has a lower ceiling and projects to be akin to Paul Pierce or Tobias Harris — a combo-forward who, for all his offensive exploits, lacks defensively. He’ll complement Jaylen Brown well and such, but still, what do you want?

Because, we all know you were in trade talks on draft night for Indiana’s Paul George. And honestly, moving back and calling them again for a deal is confident. It’s like offering someone $100 and they say no, then going back and offering $98 and expecting a yes.

Maybe they’ve got a plan to pull it all together later, after bringing in Utah’s Gordon Hayward and/or Los Angeles’ Blake Griffin. Maybe they’re trying to go for Kristaps Porzingis, because Phil Jackson is a nutcase. Who knows?

Honestly, Ainge is smart and he’s made smart trades. However, after another NBA Draft where there’s a lot of chatter and no movement, you kind of have to wonder who the Celtics think they’re playing, other than their fans. — C.W.

Jordan Bell is the Best Pick of the Draft —

Video Credit: DraftExpress (via YouTube)

Better than Markelle Fultz. Better than Dennis Smith Jr. Better than Josh Jackson. Better than your favorite team picking your favorite player in this year’s draft. That is, unless your favorite team is the Warriors of Golden State and your favorite player is Jordan Bell. In that case, life is good!

How did this happen? There was not a better player-to-team fit in the entire NBA draft. An undersized center at 6’8”, with a near 7’ wingspan, Bell’s motor, intensity, and supreme defensive versatility give him DPOY potential. He’s like Draymond Green in that respect.

The Oregon product is incredibly coordinated and equally explosive. He has the foot speed to switch onto guards, the strength to defend bigs around the basket, and the hops to throw down lobs with ferocity. Many projected Bell as a late first-rounder. After buying pick #38 from the Bulls, the Warriors have strangled their last remaining weakness, the center position, out of existence.

An undersized Jordan Bell is leagues better than a dirty neanderthal like Zaza Pachulia, and a Shaqtin-A-Fool regular, JaVale McGee. The second round pick has an opportunity to start day one for the NBA champions and will instantly become a fan favorite. What were the Bulls thinking? As NBA franchises continue to fumble in the dark for relevancy, the rich are getting richer. Let’s just say Golden State’s pockets are looking pretty fat. — T.L.

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