1) Caruso to LA, Bulls get Walker, Jones, top 5 protected 2027 FRP. I’d personally add no protections to make this happen but could understand the powers that be balking at a price to bring back a player they blew it on.
2) Thybulle, House, Harrell (waived/buy out) to LA, 76ers get PatBev, unprotected 2029 FRP. This gets us 2 solid players for an expiring deal and saves us $3 mil. Could choose to waive/buy out Wenyan instead. Mainly this is to get the defense of Matisse on the roster. House is under-shooting this season and Lakers a re hoping he regains last season’s form. Philly gets an win-now player, an asset for the future, and out from under a few deals they don’t want to wrangle this summer. I expect both House & Trez to pick up their POs. If needed we could bring back less savings, add Damien and not have to waive/buy anyone out and the $$$ still works.
I’d do this to get the elite defense of MT who is also an up and coming player with a decent ceiling. House might walk after the season or we could probably use some part of our MLE to keep him should it be deemed worthy. Trez is really there just to make the money work but also the Lakers love retreads! In the end I think Philly would rather add Damien as they’re on the hunt for back up center which he could reprise Drummond’s role last season well enough. We need better defense, PatBev isn’t enough, House and Thybulle add strength where we’re weak and don’t upend the apple cart in the doing.
While I’d love a do-over of the THT over Caruso choice I doubt that offer moves Chicago’s needle enough and I don’t see the Lakers going even that high to rectify an error that was obvious (to me) minute one. Never understood choosing THT over a proven playoff performer because he has long arms and is a Klutch client. Just another dumb move from Rob and Co.