After multiple failed playoff runs, the Chicago Bulls have decided to have a major roster makeover. They decided to finally part ways with superstar forward Jimmy Butler and got rid of other pieces to ensure a complete rebuilding process.
During the NBA draft, the Bulls pulled a surprisingly, groundbreaking move by trading Butler and the 16th overall pick in the 2017 draft to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, and the seventh overall pick in the 2017 draft, reuniting Butler with former Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau.
While trading Butler will obviously sink Chicago’s chances of making the playoffs, acquiring the young and athletic LaVine was a good move.
Meanwhile, Dunn has been a player the Bulls were seeking to attain last offseason, but it didn’t happen until now.
Other significant offseason moves
However, to begin reconstructing their roster, the Bulls waived Rajon Rondo and Isaiah Canaan. If they had a choice, they would have also parted ways with Dwyane Wade, who chose to opt in to his $23.8 million player option.
Aside from cutting those two point guards, the Bulls re-signed their own free agent Cristiano Felicio to a four-year, $32 million deal. Paying Felicio $8 million annually may seem a lot, but the big man showed some potential last season when receiving heavy play time.
To add more backcourt depth, the Bulls also signed Justin Holiday to a two-year, $9 million bargain deal.
Holiday played for the Bulls during the 2015-2016 NBA season but was traded to the New York Knicks last summer in a package with Derrick Rose. The 28-year-old guard is an energy player and has been showing slight improvement each year.
The 2017 NBA draft
After acquiring Minnesota’s seventh overall pick in the Jimmy Butler trade, the Bulls selected Lauri Markkanen, who is known as a big man that can stretch the floor.
Markkanen could perhaps be the replacement for Nikola Mirotic, who remains on the market as a restricted free agent.
The other draft selection the Bulls had was the 38th overall pick, which they chose Jordan Bell and instantly traded him to the Golden State Warriors for cash considerations, which may have been an enormous mistake.
Bell showed plenty of potential during Summer League, displaying his defensive prowess and recording a 5x5 game. Therefore, it was unnecessary for the Bulls to trade the young big man.
Roster outlook
PG: Kris Dunn/Jerian Grant/Cameron Payne/Ryan Arcidiacono SG: Dwyane Wade/Zach LaVine/Justin Holiday/David Nwaba/Antonio Blakeney SF: Paul Zipser/Denzel Valentine PF: Bobby Portis/Lauri Markkanen C: Robin Lopez/Cristiano Felicio Coach: Fred Hoiberg
Offseason Grade: F
