Whether the Chicago Bulls make the playoffs or not, it's been a disappointing season in the Windy City, and the team is now open to trading franchise player Jimmy Butler as a result, according to The Vertical's Chris Mannix. The Boston Celtics, who reportedly inquired about Butler's availability before last month's trade deadline, and the Orlando Magic are two teams particularly interested, and the Bulls are prepared to listen to offers, reports Mannix. The Bulls will be at a crossroads this summer. Their roster is almost entirely held over from the era of Tom Thibodeau, who operated a grinding, defensive system that is the polar opposite of first-year coach Fred Hoiberg's vision for free-flowing offensive sets. That could mean the team will bid farewell to Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol, two unrestricted free agent traditional big men north of 30 years old. - See more at:http://www.thescore.com/nba/news/995054
GarPax doubling down on Hoiball after their bad decision. Butler and Gasol were good enough players to make the all-star team this season. (Does anyone remember how many all-stars the Bulls had between MJ and Rose?) Solution? Ship 'em out for Hoiball. Butler is an in-his-prime rock-solid two way player. Inept management doesn't even begin to describe it. Two all-stars and one of the better coaches around kicked to the curb for Hoiball. Better be worth it GarPax.
When it comes to rebuilding I think the two choices are trading Jimmy Butler, letting Pau & Jo walk and doing a full on rebuild, or collecting a lottery pick next year and prepping for 2017 FA to sign a max player or two to play with Jimmy when he still has 3 years left on his contract. I hope the team doesn't plan on making incremental improvements this offseason to try and keep the finger in the dike. It doesn't sound like they're going to.
The only reason I can think of for doing this is, they do not want to pay two coaches for not coaching the team and paying a 3rd for coaching it. This team was faltering last season And what Butler said earlier in the year did not go well with the FO. I am not saying they are right. No, not defending the FO at all. Just saying they probably will move Butler and if we do not make the playoffs, let Gasol walk. Some in the know Bulls fans say Noah is gone too.
K.C. Johnson ✔ @KCJHoop Bulls obviously in position where they have to look at, listen to everything.But point is: Would need to be significant offer to move Butler 11:53 AM - 31 Mar 2016
I see this differently from K.C. IF the near-term reality is that the #1 commitment is to Hoiberg, then it all depends on whether Butler can convince management that he can get on Fred's page. If so, you don't trade Butler for anything other than a "couldn't refuse" offer. If not, you must trade Butler and get whatever you can get for him.
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