After a very shaky 2016-2017 NBA season, the Chicago Bulls made some very confusing moves this offseason before the 2017 NBA Draft.
The Chicago Bulls started the 2016-2017 NBA season poorly, having a very dysfunctional team. Teammates were often butting heads and Bulls' head coach Fred Hoiberg and veteran point guard Rajon Rondo were having an internal conflict.
But even though they had a bad start, the Bulls still managed to turn things around and clinched a playoff berth, almost upsetting the number 1 seeded Boston Celtics if it was not for Rajon Rondo's right thumb injury.
Bulls traded Jimmy Butler
The first big move the Chicago Bulls made was when they traded away the "face" of their franchise Jimmy Butler and the 16th pick in the NBA draft (Justin Patton) to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and the seventh pick (Lauri Markkanen).
The trade was done after Dwayne Wade opted into the final year of his contract and $24 million of his final year in Chicago. Wade made the decision without prior knowledge that Butler would be traded.
After the trade, suspicions started surfacing around the league that Dwayne would be out of Chicago in the near future. And the suspicions proved to be true just as Nick Friedell predicted.
The Jimmy Butler trade indicated that the Chicago Bulls are looking to the rebuild rather than win now.
Wade and Bulls to move on?
The 35-year-old Wade is not interested in the rebuilding process, so it would make sense that the two parties would part ways. Which opens a few interesting options for Wade on what team he decides to sign with.
A storm of offers and inquiries are expected to ensue when this buyout is reached. The Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to pursue him to reunite him with his good friend and former teammate Lebron James.
This would also allow the Cavaliers to have one last run at another championship for Cleveland before Lebron becomes a free agent next summer.
Another ideal destination for Wade would be the Miami Heat. The Heat and Wade have had a very long, storied history. Wade has spent 13 of his 14 seasons in South Beach, he also helped bring the franchise's first three rings.
The Miami Heat situation will surely be the more logical choice for Wade and for the Heat. It would be fitting for them to re-sign Wade and to let him finish the remainder of his legendary career as a member of the organization after everything he has done for them.
Dwayne Wade has been producing steadily the past season averaging 18.3 pts, 4.5 rebs, 3.8 ast, 1.4 stl, and 0.7 blks per game. This stat line will surely attract a lot of teams. What team do you think Wade will land in if they reach a buyout agreement?
