The Bulls unveiled their return from last week’s Jimmy Butler trade as Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, and seventh overall pick in this year’s draft, Lauri Markkanen, took the stage on Tuesday. Shipping out the so-called “face” of the franchise in Butler signaled a change in direction for the Bulls.
Despite making the postseason in eight of the last nine seasons, general manager John Paxson believes that the team is well prepared for rebuild with young talent, ABC News’ Andrew Seligman writes.
“I’m excited about what the environment in this building is going to be like going forward,” Paxson said. “I’m not worried about perception. We understand this could take time, it’s a process. But as long as these kids can play hard and compete our fans will appreciate them, and we’ll get better.”
Dunn is coming off an inconsistent rookie campaign; LaVine missed most of the second half of 2016/17 due to a torn ACL; and Markkanen is a heralded but unproven prospect. With decisions on veterans Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade looming, Chicago is poised to assemble a young team with potentially great upside.
Below are additional notes surrounding the Bulls:
- Speaking of Butler, the now-former Bulls All-Star addressed his trade to the Timberwolves last week to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times and vented some frustrations about the ordeal. The 27-year-old said being the “face” of the team “doesn’t mean a damn thing,” He also added that despite any label, he learned that ” eventually you’re going to see the back of his head as he’s leaving town, so no thanks.” Butler added that he is not mad at being traded but wishes some things went differently.
- In a separate piece, Cowley writes that Wade came out a winner after the Butler trade. The three-time NBA champion picked up his $23.8MM player option for 2017/18 early and that gives him power. Cowley notes that Wade planned to press Bulls brass on a buyout if Butler was dealt and since that’s the case, Wade’s days with his hometown Bulls could be numbered
Get Wade out of there, Lavine ready to blow up.
more like lavine ready to self destruct… lol… if they don’t keep rondo…lavine is garbage…
They need to keep rondo for one last season, then hand it to Dunn. Lavine is anything but garbage.
Lol. You must not watch a lot if basketball. He’s explosive, athletic, can get to the rim, shoot the three, is oversized for his position (a great thing), and has leadership qualities. Smoke another doob.
He’s also a below average defender, especially considering his athleticism and he’s coming off ACL surgery
So are Andrew Wiggins, Damian Lillard, Carmelo Anthony, and Isaiah Thomas, but I don’t see anyone complaining about having them on their team, because everything else they do makes up for it.
Lavine can shoot the 3 and create his own shot and he is also very athletic.
Everyone loves saying process now, don’t they? Sixers fans really started quite a trend.
Yeah, it’s pretty funny that they were able to turn around a relatively negative phrase, “work in progress,” and they made it something GM’s and fans alike are seeing as a possible positive…”Trust the Process” lol…Although, the phrase really blew up when Embiid started yelling it from any and everywhere…
I can’t wait to see what Sixers fans say about the “process” when Embiid knee gives out completely. Simmons will be a star, but they’re probably in the lottery again next year.
So you want to see a young and potentially great player’s career get cut short because you don’t like people from Philly? Seems pretty rational