Worth noting at the outset - as we've seen so far, Teams are scared of taking on larger salaries and/or triggering a hard cap / entering the second apron; This makes an Ingram contract BEFORE the trade less appealing, let alone an extension # coming up next year, while also making mid-sized, tradable contracts that can be aggregated more valuable.

Bulls are trying to get younger while still having the mandate from ownership to compete. They get younger / move Vuc for assets; Get Lakers 1st & 2nd round picks from last year along with Gabe Vincent & Wood / Robinson-Earl (to help out at C if they don't sign someone else); Trade 2 future 2nds for 2027 LAL & 1st round swap rights in 2026

Pels get a starting C and backup PF (along with some 2nd round draft capital) for next year, take back less salary while avoiding the Ingram contract. Both contracts, if the players dont work out, become expirings next year when a possible Troy Murphy extension comes along.

Lakers get nypothetical "third star" back without giving up Reeves/Vando, go down 2 future seconds (and a possible swap in '26). Take on less salary in the trade to avoid triggering a hard cap, and retain enough cap so that, if LeBron realy would take less, they could still sign DeMar / Trent Jr. with the mid-level. Also consolidates players / clears up some current roster room issues.

NOTE: according to the trade machine, no one is taking on salary / triggering a hard cap.