To people mentioning AB: he can't be a deal breaker but I think Danny would have to try his hardest to keep him. His defensive skill-set is literally perfect for the current perimeter-oriented NBA and he's on a cheap contract.
I also think we could get it done without including AB.
the reasons for including AB (from my perspective) are:
- Butler replicates what AB does but better.
- AB becomes a luxury off the bench if kept, not providing a lot of minutes to really utilize his skills
- Including AB decreases the need to include a lot more assets. If we moved AB and #3 pick, that should be enough prime assets. Including Hunter/Young/Mickey and seconds (or the C's pick) shouldn't be a dealbreaker.
- Including AB should eliminate the need to include Smart in the deal.
- AB is pretty much just a SG. He doesn't offer ballhandling skills like Smart so we're moving the more-limited player in terms of position.
Id rather trade Smart then Bradley. AB is a better player now, and there's still a big question mark over what Smarts ceiling really is. Right now I'm not sure it's especially high. I imagine the bulls will see it that way too, hence why i think they'd want Bradley and not Smart.
Happy to use Rozier and Turner at backup PG with Smart gone...no biggie
fair enough. while AB is certainly the better shooter right now and showing some drives to the basket, he's not nearly as good with the ball in his hands or passing as Smart. While he's certainly a very good defender, Smart is at least a notch above him in that regard.
I'm not as attached to Smart as I was at the start of the season so if he's what the Bulls wanted for Butler, I'd make the deal if it was Smart and the #3 and either the C's 1st rounder/2 seconds or Young/Hunter/Mickey. about the same as the AB deal but I think I'd look for more of a return if we traded Smart. maybe a protected first from the Bulls or another player that's of some use.
Honestly, I'm not so sure.
Smart isn't a very good ball handler, and Bradley is a much improved one. I don't feel they're that far apart as ball handlers at this point, though Smart is definately a better passer.
Defensively i don't feel Smart is better, i feel they're about on par. Smart the better team defender, while Bradley is (imho) a better on the ball defender due to his ability to pressue opponents and both:
A) Force turnovers
B) Take ball handlers out of their comfort zone
Smart is a better rebounder, but Bradley's ability to take over games with his scoring IMHO makes him the more valuable of the two.
Money is also a moot point i think given how crazy how good value Bradley's contact is.
Not to say i dont like Smart or that i want him traded, i love hIs toughness and physicality. Plus he's only 21, and we often don't get a team glimpse at how good players can be until they reach 24-25. He should grow a long way.
But Bradley is only 25 as well, and hes improved significantly IMO in each of his past two seasons...so he may well not have reached his ceiling yet. Hes barely older then Sully and Olynyk, after all.