After a rather unremarkable first season under coach Fred Hoiberg, the Chicago Bulls decided to completely overhaul their team this past summer, shedding the main vestiges left over from the Tom Thibodeau era. The Bulls traded away franchise star Derrick Rose and let Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol leave in free agency with virtually no resistance. And then hoping to rekindle their former glory, the Bulls signed Rajon Rondo and lured Dwyane Wade away from Miami to play in his hometown.
With Jimmy Butler, Rondo and Wade, the Bulls clearly have some talent and star power. However, the trio's poor long-range shooting presents a dilemma for the Bulls as Chicago's offensive spacing could potentially be disastrous. Yet if everyone remains healthy, Chicago should be better than last season and could possibly be back in the playoffs after a year layoff.
Key Additions: Rajon Rondo (free agent), Dwyane Wade (free agent), Robin Lopez (trade), Denzel Valentine (rookie), Michael Carter-Williams (trade)
Key Losses: Derrick Rose (Knicks), Joakim Noah (Knicks), Aaron Brooks (Pacers), Mike Dunleavy (Cavs), Pau Gasol (Spurs), E'Twaun Moore (Pelicans), Tony Snell (Bucks)
Will Bulls' moves lead to playoff berth?
A lot of Chicago's success this season will depend on Hoiberg, whose first year as an NBA head coach was pretty lackluster. Hoiberg excelled in the college ranks and, given his NBA pedigree, many thought he would make a seamless transition with the Bulls last season. That didn't happen.
Hoiberg was supposed to install a more up-tempo offense in Chicago which favored space and movement. Yet the Bulls simply didn't have the type of players that would thrive in that system or consistently make shots. So coupled with injuries, Chicago missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008.
The rub of it all is that despite the Bulls changing up their roster this offseason, they still don't have a roster that fits Hoiberg. Wade, Rondo and Butler are not good 3-point shooters, and this won't help create the space and movement Hoiberg is striving to get from his team. Chicago's only hope is that Nikola Mirotic and Doug McDermott become consistent shooters. Rookie Denzel Valentine could also potentially provide a 3-point threat for the Bulls.
Despite the lack of 3-point shooters, the Bulls have some intriguing talent. Rondo has his faults (especially on the defensive end) yet he is a good playmaker and led the league in assists last season. Wade might be entering the twilight of his career yet he still is playing at an All-Star level and was sensational for the Heat in the playoffs last season. Butler is one of the best shooting guards in the league and is a stud of a player. Robin Lopez, who came over in the Knicks-Rose trade, will provide defense and rebounding, while Taj Gibson remains a reliable contributor.
If Hoiberg can get into a groove as a coach, there is enough talent in Chicago to make the playoffs. Overall, this is a strange transition year for the Bulls and having the goal of just making the postseason is quite attainable.
Can Butler emerge as a true leader?
This is an open-ended question as clearly Butler is the best player on the Bulls and will lead them on the court. But Chicago now has a headstrong player in Rondo, and another vet in Wade who is used to being the leader of his team. Both both guys have said that the Bulls are Butler's team and they are there mainly to support him. The question is if Butler, who struggled adjusting to being a more vocal leader and openly challenged Hoiberg's coaching style through the media, is capable of taking on that role.
Having a veteran presence like Wade should benefit the younger Butler from a mentoring standpoint. Wade has been around the block and can advise Butler on how to get his point across to Hoiberg and his other teammates. What also should benefit Butler is being a member of Team USA this past summer, and the experience of playing with other stars should help give him a new perspective.
One challenge for Butler will be playing out of position as he'll now be the Bulls' starting small forward, with Wade at shooting guard. While this is a role Butler can handle, both he and Chicago will have to get used to the change.
The Bulls will likely go as far as Butler can take them this season. If he becomes a more effective leader and get his teammates to follow his lead while also continuing to be an elite player, then Butler will succeed as the Bulls' franchise star.
What can we expect from this Bulls team?
With Wade and Butler, the Bulls have, at the very least, two go-to scorers who can take over a game. Also Rondo will likely put up some eye-popping numbers, particularly in the assist category. If he is dialed in, Chicago could have a decent offense.
Chicago has also some nice depth with Bobby Portis, Doug McDermott, Cristiano Felicio and even rookie Denzel Valentine to go along with some solid vets in Taj Gibson and Robin Lopez that can provide some defensive tenacity and help clean up on offense.
Overall, the Bulls have a pretty solid roster. They have their flaws, namely with 3-point shooting, and their defense will likely be middle of the road. However, the Bulls have the talent to be a playoff team in the East. Perhaps not a high-seeded team but their goal is to simply make the postseason and a team with Butler and Wade should be too good to not finish as a top-eight team in the East.
