The trade deadline has come and gone, with the Chicago Bulls making one perplexing move. Jimmy Butler is still in a Bulls uniform, but the roster surrounding him has become worse. Will the front office ever hold itself accountable?
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On Thursday afternoon at 3 p.m. Eastern, the NBA trade deadline officially came to a close. The biggest move of the week came much earlier, when the New Orleans Pelicans fleeced the Sacramento Kings for DeMarcus Cousins.
Chicago ended up holding on to its star, Jimmy Butler, but decided to make things harder for him for the rest of the season. The Bulls sent Taj Gibson, Doug McDermott and a 2018 second-round pick to the Oklahoma City for Cameron Payne, Joffrey Lauvergne and Anthony Morrow.
Take a deep breath, exhale. Here’s some enlightening Chicago pieces floating around for you to read while considering how Gar Forman and John Paxson still have their jobs.
The Bulls front office spoke post-trade deadline, confirming they have no idea what they’re doing – (@Tyler_Pleiss)
Tyler Pleiss of SB Nation’s Blog A Bull puts everything on the table, laying into Forman and Paxson’s lack of vision and willingness to commit to Butler as the guy going forward. This front office would rather do anything than hold themselves accountable, and it showed in their press conference after the trade deadline.
Fade to bleak: Taj Gibson, last man standing from 2010-11 Bulls, says goodbye – (@jon_greenberg)
Gibson deserved a great sendoff, and Jon Greenberg of The Athletic Chicago delivered. In this farewell piece, Greenberg remembers Gibson for everything he is; lovable, hard-working, caring and honest. You could count on Gibson every night, a stark contrast to the front office he played under.
Chicago Bulls Trade Taj Gibson, Doug McDermott: What Bulls are getting and giving up in deal – (@bull_sheetz)
PAE’s own Patrick Sheetz does a good job breaking down the Chicago-OKC deal, and what the Bulls stand to gain and lose from it. Maybe Payne can show the rest of us what Chicago’s front office sees in him.
Those hoping for a Butler deadline deal are ignoring Bulls logic – (@suntimes_hoops)
Joe Cowley just went full scorched earth, Les Grossman on the Bulls’ management. From Michael Reinsdorf to GarPax, no one was saw from Cowley’s wrath. It appears the front office just wants the Bulls to bring in a profit, regardless of whether they are good or not. Let em have it Joe.
Ex-Bull Ben Gordon attempts NBA comeback – (@KCJHoop)
I’m going to end this on a note not related to Chicago’s questionable trade deadline move and lack of a competent front office. KC Johnson wrote about Ben Gordon attempting to return to the NBA. Gordon is currently playing for the Texas Legends, the Dallas Mavericks D-League affiliate. Gordon was up and down with the Bulls, but when he got going was it a sight to see. Maybe we’ll get to hear, “Gordon, for THREE!” one more time.