Its been a week since the Chicago Bulls president achknowledged the possibility of a Dwyane Wade buyout. John Paxson said that a buyout would only occur if it benefited The Bulls. This means that Wade would have to give back a huge portion of the $23.8 million he is set to earn this year. Wade has expressed that he does not want to be a part of a rebuild at the age of 35. Then again, this would not have even happened if the Bulls didn't sign him in the first place.
Serve his contract and move on
It was just a year ago that the Bulls said they wanted to get younger and more athletic.
It was days after that that they decided to go out and sign Wade and Rajon Rondo. Now, Rondo's option has been declined, and the Bulls are stuck with Wade.
The Jimmy Butler trade was a year too late. The Bulls should have never signed Wade and Rondo. Realistically, this upcoming season, the Bulls will be a lottery team, but this should have happened last season.
In typical Bulls fashion, they overspent on a player they didn't need. They didn't make a trade that should have happened sooner. For Bulls fans reading, they will remember Taj Gibson this past season, and Pau Gasol from two years ago. At this point, a buyout doesn't seem likely. Wade isn't going to give back the majority of this money.
The Bulls just need to pay Wade his money, and move on after this year. It's not like the Bulls are competing anyway.
The Bulls' free agent moves
The Bulls have already made two moves this offseason, signing Christiano Felicio to a four-year, $32 million deal. Then, the Bulls signed Justin Holiday to a two-year, $9 million deal.
Holiday averaged 7.7 points and 2.2 rebounds this past season for the New York Knicks. If Wade stays, Holidays will play the small forward position, or shooting guard if necessary.
Rondo to Lakers or Knicks
Rajon Rondo received interest from the Los Angeles Lakers recently, but has also been pursued by the New York Knicks as of late.
Al Iannazzone of Newsday reported that the Knicks have reached out to Rondo, but no meeting has been set. Rondo averaged 7.8 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.1 rebounds this past season for the Bulls.
Rondo has been rumored to be someone that could join the Lakers. The Lakers brass likes the idea of Rondo mentoring their new draft pick Lonzo Ball. Rondo has been a steady mainstay in the league, and led the league in assists as recently as two seasons ago. Rondo could be the perfect mentor for Ball at the right price.