Bulls Can Start Fresh in 2016-17 by Sending Off the Final Remains of the Thibodeau Era
For the Chicago Bulls to completely move on from the Tom Thibodeau era, the front office of Gar Forman and John Paxson must evaluate where they are at the current moment (including possibly getting involved in trade matters with Thibodeau’s new team). On top of that, we’ll look at the where the Bulls are and where they could look to rebuild.
Pau Gasol has hinted for months that he’ll exercise his third-year player option and sign elsewhere in free agency. And if worse comes to worst: both Joakim Noah and E’Twaun Moore may both walk for better contracts that are out of the range of the Bulls for their stature.
The Bulls have looked to trade away Taj Gibson and Tony Snell in the past, and with the aging Mike Dunleavy coming off two back procedures, it’s not looking good for him either.
But, a prize that could kickstart a good rebuild for the Bulls could and would be Jimmy Butler for some future first-round picks and players.
More from Bulls News
- The dream starting 5 for the Chicago Bulls 5 years from now
- Bulls’ Ayo Dosunmu inspires the future with new school program
- Chicago Bulls NBA 2K24 full roster ratings, risers, and fallers
- Bulls sign a pair of promising guards to Exhibit 10 contracts
- When does NBA Training Camp start? Dates Bulls fans need to know
For example: if the Bulls trade for a veteran point guard (instead of drafting one) like Ricky Rubio, rather than allow Butler to keep setting back the new Hoiball offense, instead of giving it a true chance.
The best thing GarPax can figure out once the lottery is official and the draft combine measurements are out is who to deal with if they hypothetically acquire Rubio into the fold.
Here’s what’s left of the roster if the intrical parts of the Thibodeau roster go and what might be the best rebuild order off the draft and free agency pick-ups:
Current Chicago Bulls Roster as of May 12:
Trading for Ricky Rubio
- The Bulls could try and trade Taj Gibson, Tony Snell and Mike Dunleavy for Ricky Rubio. Thibodeau is happy and the Bulls get a backup guard in case Derrick Rose cashes in somewhere else after next season.
Related Story: Ricky Rubio: a legit option for the Bulls this summer?
If the Bulls pursued a trade with the Boston Celtics again…
- The Bulls could try and trade Jimmy Butler in a 4-for-1 trade with the Boston Celtics. The deal could include two first-round picks and an additional two second-round picks, plus the requisite salary swap: guard R.J. Hunter, guard Marcus Smart and center Amir Johnson. The Bulls keep a lockdown defensive guard in Smart, who can tandem with Justin Holiday in defensive rotations, while shopping Johnson and Hunter around for future picks. For Boston, general manager Danny Ainge would be happy that he’d finally have that All-Star he covets. GarPax get a second lease on life with added picks and an opportunity to truly rebuild the Bulls.
Related Story: Jimmy Butler was big target of the Boston Celtics before the trade deadline
Bulls first-round draft picks:
- The Bulls use the fourth pick of the Celtics (via the Brooklyn Nets) to take a gamble and grab Dejounte Murray (future Russell Westbrook–Allen Iverson guard in my opinion) because of his tight handles and the way he gets to the hoop strong in traffic. He’s one of the real potential steals in this year’s draft.
- The Bulls use their own 14th pick to get a project shot-blocker in Texas big man Prince Ibeh for a role player on defense. Ibeh can bring youth and athleticism to replace the aging Taj Gibson.
- The Bulls use the 16th pick of the Celtics (Dallas) to take another potential project in Zhou Qi from China, a spindly Asian version of Kristaps Porzingis. Qi gets rebounds, blocks shots and provides some offensive versatility that would allow Hoiball to function fully. He’s a bit of a risk, but Qi’s a high-ceiling pick without compromising on defense.
Related Story: 2016 NBA Draft: Texas center Prince Ibeh and France's Petr Cornelie
Bulls second-round draft picks:
- The Bulls could turn the first Celtics second-rounder to get Marcus Paige of North Carolina. This guy doesn’t lose his composure in crunch time. A good and stable backup.
- The Bulls use another second-rounder (via the Portland Trail Blazers) for Iowa State forward Georges Niang. He’s a Hoiball linchpin and a scoring power forward that know the system. Niang could be used to score against weaker teams to rest starters in tough back-to-back road games and such.
- The Bulls then could use the Boston second-rounder to pick Alex Poythress of Kentucky. Poythress doesn’t do one thing at an elite level, but if something stands out with him, it’s his freakish strength and his ability to provide a huge spark of energy with his play at the rim.
The key for next season is that the Bulls can look for some youth in this year’s draft and can utilize the Windy City Bulls in the D-League. The new prospects could get playing time, while the rest of the team goes through the regular schedule with a new look and more personnel to fit the system.
If Noah and Gasol walk, the Bulls will be under a projected $92 million salary cap for the 2016-17 season, plus whatever money is freed via the trades of the former Thibodeau core players for a shot at a veteran center (Dwight Howard). or a wing player.
Next: 2016 NBA Draft: Providence's Kris Dunn
The main concern is getting a complete guard to complement Derrick Rose, so he plays optimum minutes scoring, while having a backup plan if the Bulls can’t afford him after next year.