Bulls executives Gar Forman and John Paxson spoke to reporters late on Thursday night in the wake of the blockbuster trade that sent Jimmy Butler to Minnesota and signaled a full-scale rebuild in Chicago. As Nick Friedell of ESPN.com tweets, Paxson explicitly used the R-word (“rebuild”) in his comments.
As a result of the its new direction, the club will remain “patient and disciplined” this offseason, according to Paxson, who says the Bulls won’t be investing big money in players unless there’s a long-term fit (Twitter link via Friedell).
Here’s more on the Bulls:
- Forman said tonight that it’s not yet clear whether the Bulls will pick up Rajon Rondo‘s option (Twitter link via Friedell). According to Sam Amick of USA Today (Twitter link), there has been no discussion yet of a buyout for Rondo, but it’s “clearly a possibility” after the Butler trade. Rondo’s contract has a built-in buyout, since it’s only guaranteed for $3MM right now, so the Bulls would have to waive him by June 30 to avoid being on the hook for another $10MM+.
- Despite using the seventh overall pick on Lauri Markkanen, a stretch four, the Bulls intend to re-sign Nikola Mirotic as a restricted free agent, Paxson said (Twitter link via K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune).
- Although he won’t be thrilled to see Butler depart, Dwyane Wade is still picking up his player option for 2017/18, as Vincent Goodwill of CSNChicago.com tweets. Paxson suggested on Thursday night that if Wade had serious concerns about the team’s direction, he might not have exercised that option (Twitter link via Sam Smith of Bulls.com).
- The Bulls believe newly-acquired Zach LaVine is ahead of schedule in his rehab from an ACL tear, but don’t yet know when he’ll get back on the court, tweets Friedell.
- How did Butler react to Thursday’s deal? “He’s great,” a source close to the forward tells Goodwill (Twitter link). “He’s with Thibs now.” Butler’s agent, Bernard Lee, confirmed that his client “has definitely embraced the opportunity to look forward” (Twitter link via Jon Krawczynski of The Associated Press).
I’d be willing to bet Wade is fine with being there one year of a rebuild while he collect 24 million lol. Maybe he will join Lebron in LA and settle for making just a couple million to try to win another Championship? Just a thought. I have a feeling if Lebron does come to LA it’ll be with the Clippers and not the Lakers though.
Wade is merely an afterthought, at this point. No one cares what Wade thinks, or what his feelings are.
He basically phoned it in last season, and it’ll be that x100, this season.
He’s just a guy, in the twilight of his career, collecting a paycheck — in, more than likely, his last year in the NBA.
He also said he doesn’t care about winning anymore championships. He’s just about the money, and that’s it.
And I’ll also guarantee that he goes down on the DL at least a few times, and misses extensive games.
If he plays in half the games this year, I’d be shocked. Again, he’s just phoning it in and collecting.
He’s gone.
Highly doubt Wade would ever say that he doesn’t care about winning championships anymore. Gtfoh with that nonsense
He did though. I found it surprising at the time too but the man has said numerous times he is just making money now
Lebron is not going to the Lakers and Magic would be dumb to bring him in. He’ll be 33 with another playoff run and load of minutes under his belt to then pair him with George in LA? Another guy who suffers from having a killer instinct just like Lebron? NAH. If Lebron knows whats good for him he would play out his career in Cleveland with Kyrie and avoid the pressure of LA and playing where Kobe once dominated.
D-Wade likely gets a buyout at some point, and hopefully goes to San Antonio or GS.
Bulls shpuld try to sign and trade Mirotic, and trade Robin Lopez, at this point, probably shouldn’t pickup the option on a Rondo eother. They need shooters and wing players, amd help at the 4 spot
If I’m Wade I’m looking to go to SA, no team in the East as of now can compete with the Cavs except Boston and Milwaukee.
The Bulls made out like bandits. Lavine is a 20 ppg scorer and will only get better, Dunn I always said last year is the steal of the draft and Markkanen will be a legit stretch 4. The Bulls future is insanely bright as for the Wolves they just became contenders. I remember KAT and Wiggins alone giving GS fits 2016 at Oracle now they add Butler, they are trying to win it all.
Yeah, I think this is actually a pretty good trade for both sides.
It really is, just can’t pay attention to these ignorant so called Bulls fans. Half of them don’t even know who Kris Dunn is, let alone Lavine and Markkanen. The Bulls have a great nucleus of talent to build with now.
You’re a joke. Levine has never scored 20 a game, and has torn his ACL. Dunn had one of the worst rookie years on record, and Markkanen cannot rebound for a 7 footer which means he can’t start and play meaningful minutes. I didn’t realize that Gar was a Trade Rumors commenter.
You are a joke, you don’t know basketball.
You really are Gar!!!!
You are just a mad close minded Bulls fan dude. When Dunn,Markkanen, and Lavine are lighting it up you’ll come blowing them again.
Didn’t even get to keep their own pick! Why was Butler part of a package?!? Hilarious that Thibs fleeced his old bosses. Jerrys the one who made out like a bandit tonight. Got 3.5M for selling his second round pick. Yes, a rebuilding team is SELLING their second round picks. And before you come at me with he’s just a second rounder, Zipser was drafted in the second round as well. Yet they’re out here selling picks. This is a joke.
You are a joke, you don’t know basketball if you think the Bulls got fleeced. Do some research on Dunn,Lavine, and Markkanen before commenting.
He averaged 18.3 last year. Is that 20? No. But its not far off. As for Dunn’s rookie year, it was about on par for every Thibbs rookie – including Butler who didn’t exactly look good his first year.
The Timberwolves are going to sign Rose.
He would be a great fit.
Yea… Butler and Rose hated each other. Would be a shock if they willingly played together again.
Bulls buyout Dwayne Wade … Knicks trade Carmelo Anthony & the #2 draft pick (2018) to the Spurs for LaMarcus Aldridge & Danny Green. Spurs starting 5 next season: Mills, Wade, Leonard, Anthony & Gasol …
Bruh Porzingis wont be a 5 with Lamarcus around. Thats a interesting lineup for SA but Leonard would be helpless on defense helping out the rest of that lineup.
There’s no way around it. Bulls got fleeced. Honestly, I can’t believe Chicago didn’t get more, even for only 2 years of Butler. All day, I had been saying Minnesota would have to send Dunn, Lavine, Bjelica, #7, and a 2019 1st round pick for Butler alone…not only did all they get was Dunn and 1 year of Lavine coming off the ACL injury, but they took Markannen at 7, which made very little sense, unless they think he’s Dirk. Markannen can definitely shoot it, and can surprisingly take the ball of the dribble a little, but he can’t play defense, he can’t rebound, he doesn’t really do much else other than shoot it. Their roster doesn’t really come together right now. They should probably trade Robin Lopez and try to sign and trade Mirotic at this point, and then wade gers a buyout later in the year. They need wings and shooters…I really like Kris Dunn. I didn’t get a chance to see him much last year, as a rookie, but in college, I watched him a lot. He reminds me of a bigger Wade/maybe John Wall. He, Lavine for a year, and Markannen kind of could make some sense together (Portis would probably start at the 5, with Markannen off the bench), but the rest of that roster probably should be blown up around them
But it gets better. They also gave Minnesota #16, and they got Justin Patton lol. So super high upside for Minnesota there, plus they get Butler on a cheap deal for 2 years for not much in terms of assets. Now they can try to add a PG like George Hill, and a couple of backup wing shooters, and they’re good to go….The Bulls…it’s going to be a few years