Pippen Ain't Easy Roundtable: The Chicago Bulls' Summer

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Jun 2, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls General Manager Gar Forman speaks during a press conference at Advocate Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

What did you think of the Bulls’ summer?

Michael Whitlow: So, this summer. What did you guys think of what happened? I know a lot happened, but your thoughts on the chaos?

Ben Rains: The Bulls’ summer was many things: Unexpected, unprecedented and unbelievable are the first words that come to mind.

The front office made a quick and proactive move by trading Derrick Rose early in the offseason and were rightfully content to let Joakim Noah leave in free agency. Those two moves are understandable as the franchise heads in a new direction. Fans will miss Rose and Noah, and if they play anywhere near the level they once did in Knick uniforms, Bulls fans will lose a lot of sleep.

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The Rajon Rondo signing is the biggest shock, especially given his recent track record. Also, he’s the opposite of young or athletic. Dwyane Wade’s arrival in Chicago will be fun for the fans. His arrival secured them a ton of national TV games and maybe a chance at proving they are a free agent destination, although that’s highly unlikely.

There are a few positives. They retained Jimmy Butler, who for reasons that seem inconceivable, was mentioned in every trade rumor imaginable. That was a huge win. Butler is a star and 2016-17 will be his real breakout year if Rondo and Wade are willing to take lesser roles. He is primed to help carry the team every night.

Drafting Denzel Valentine was a win at No. 14 and Paul Zipser could prove to be of some value.

They also kept their entire young core: Nikola Mirotic, Doug McDermott, Bobby Portis and Cristiano Felicio, all of whom will play vital roles.

Overall, let’s chalk up the summer as a wash.

But, if you weigh the opportunity for strangeness more heavily, it’s a resounding win.

Matthew Price: The Bulls summer to me was surprisingly exciting. Heading into the offseason and after listening to GarPax talk about “younger and more athletic,” I figured the Bulls would steer clear of most free agents and focus on building a younger team. Instead, GarPax signed Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade; two old players who have little athleticism left in their tanks. At first, I criticized these moves as putting the Bulls stuck in the “bottom of the playoff race, but not the draft lottery” team, but over time, I have become more happy with the moves.

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Sure, the Bulls might not be younger and more athletic, but they sure are a heck of a lot more relevant and exciting to watch. There’s even a chance that the Bulls could be actual title contenders next year.

Daniel Coughlin: The Bulls are a total mess. The message from the front office and the transactions they conducted contradict each other. They still haven’t retooled this team to fit the profile of a three-point shooting team. Dwyane Wade is a career 28.9 percent three-point shooter, Rajon Rondo is even worse at 28.4 percent. Wade is probably only good for like 60-ish games, Rondo doesn’t play defense.

It’s all frustrating because the moves prior to that were promising. They drafted Denzel Valentine, traded away Rose in exchange for Robin Lopez and Jerian Grantand signed Dinwiddie. Wade and Rondo clog up salary space, the starting rotation and stop the ball. It was great that they gambled on Dinwiddie by moving Cameron Bairstow, who wasn’t going to get any playing time anyway, and I was happy that Mike Dunleavy, Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah were moved out or elected to move on. At least we’ll always have that Las Vegas Summer League Championship.

Steve Coyle: Two words: Bobby Portis. The man was a monster this summer and took a step that the Bulls are happy to see being took. Crashing the boards aggressively this summer at 9.4 RPG (3.9 of those offensive rebounds) ranked him third overall in the Las Vegas Summer League. Coach Hoiberg had to of been impressed with the 17.3 PPG and a First Team All-Summer League selection. Many see a bright future for the stretch big man in Hoiball’s offense. With an aging Taj Gibson at the power forward position, do the Bulls have a future starting stretch big man in their future? I’d have to say yes.

Next: What were your biggest takeaways from the SummerBulls?

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PAE Roundtable: The Chicago Bulls’ Summer

By Michael Whitlow | Jul 30, 2016

What did you think of the Bulls’ summer?

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