Should The Bulls Keep Jimmy Butler?
By Lamar Battle
Will the Chicago Bulls keep Jimmy Butler?
There was a point during the Bulls three-point comeback win over the Houston Rockets in which center Dwight Howard shoved Bulls reserve center Christiano Felicio to the ground, and it was a good thing. Jimmy Butler provided some boosts for Chicago as well.
There has been a lot of debate about the advent of small ball driving the center position in the NBA to near extinction. Well, credit the Bulls brass for grabbing a player in Felicio who is quick to the ball, strong as an ox, a decent passer and good medium range shooter.
Besides what are teams to do when facing big guys like Howard, Marc Gasol, the Lopez brothers, and of course the indomitable Demarcus Cousins? Throw Bobby Portis at them?
More from Pippen Ain't Easy
- 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
Actually, the Bulls have some solid pieces moving forward with Felicio, Bobby Portis, Nikola Mirotic, Doug McDermott (dead-eye shooter who is starting to show improvement with improved defensive footwork), and Justin Holiday.
After what has amounted to a disappointing regular season the Bulls(9th place) are currently engaged in a dog fight for a playoff berth. There is a school of thought that suggests most of the Bulls woes are the result of poor chemistry and locker room troubles, that being the case what options are available for next season and beyond?
Most experts agree that there are generally three ways to build an NBA team either through the draft, free agency or trades. Traditionally the Bulls have had little success with trades or free agency, and for around last five years have drafted low in the first round (with an exception for the maneuvering that netted Doug McDermott).
There is hope however.
With the right moves (considering a really small margin for error) the Bulls can return to possible contention in the East while still developing their young players. Of course, this may require the trading of your top player.
The player of note would be Jimmy Butler….Why? Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol will more than likely leave and Derrick Rose, who has been brilliant of late still cannot bring you the pieces Jimmy Butler can. But how could a team justify giving up an all star and two way player?
Butler may be better served with a fresh start elsewhere given the strong possibility that head coach Fred Hoiberg will be around for awhile. Taking that into consideration the Bulls have to ask themselves:
1. Can the rumored rift between Jimmy and coach Hoiberg be solved along with a buy in of the teams new offensive philosophy.
2. Can the necessary players be added to the team with Jimmy in place?
3. Can or will Jimmy share the spotlight with the possible emergence of either Mirotic, McDermott and possibly Derrick Rose.
4. Lastly, and this is a tough one. Can a championship-caliber team be built around Jimmy Butler?
If the answer to question #4 is a no, then it may be time for some tough choices.
According to Chris Maddox of the Verticle, the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic have shown interest in Butler.
Who knows? The Bulls could possibly pick up Victor Oladipo from Orlando with 1st round picks. They could net picks from the Celtics who have tons of them, and there are rumblings that Jahlil Okafor could be available this summer.
Next: Doug McDermott Is Finding Place In NBA
Nevertheless, the wrong choice may result in continued locker room strife and the possible lack of development for the teams young players. This team is now on the clock, and Chicago fans will be watching and waiting.