Pippen Ain't Easy
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Pippen Ain’t Easy roundtable: The Pre-2017 NBA Draft Edition

By Michael Whitlow

Jan 4, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) defends Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) defends Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Where would Nikola Mirotic have landed in the 2017 NBA Draft?
Jul 18, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls new players Nikola Mirotic and Pau Gasol pose for photos after a press conference at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

MW: I think we all can agree that the Bulls need to not only get and stay younger, but they need some athletes that can make a difference in the NBA and not base their projections at the next level based completely off what they did in college. It doesn’t hurt to take a chance on a more raw prospect that may have a higher ceiling. It’s OK to do that sometimes, GarPax.

Along with the draft, what are your thoughts on free agency for the Bulls? Can they do anything this summer or do they have to wait until 2018 when that “flexibility” Gar Forman is always talking about kicks in?

DC: The beauty of free agency is that it allows players to have a say in who employs them. Given that fact, who wants to play for Gar Forman and the absentee dad that is Jerry Reinsdorf? If Wade opts in and the Bulls pick up Rondo’s option, they’re just out of the game. 2018 might be better for them, but I’m not holding my breath.

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    • DB: It appears that Rajon Rondo is coming back, and Dwyane Wade is essentially a lock in to opt in for the 2017-2018 season. That doesn’t give the Bulls much wiggle room to work with in free agency, which will only discourage an already conservative front office. I expect the Bulls to play it safe and run basically the same roster out there next season.

    WL: I look at Golden State and I see a team that wasn’t afraid to build through the draft. If you look at the last few Champions (Golden State, Cleveland, San Antonio, Miami, Dallas, Los Angeles Lakers), only Golden State and San Antonio feel like they can hold post for a long stretch of time. Those teams build through the draft and smart trades, only making a move in free agency to push them over the edge. The Bulls could get to that point in 2018, but have a ways to go in 2017.

    PS: If by some miracle the Bulls don’t have to employ Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo this summer, I would like them to chase guys who have very different play styles from the two mentioned. Could you imagine sliding in J.J. Redick and Jrue Holiday instead of the other two alphas? Shooting and defense could go a long way besides Jimmy Butler.

    BF: While I do not think the Bulls show shell out for anyone, I think I’m most interested in Rudy Gay. While underrated most of his career, he is a proven all around player who I think immediately makes the Bulls better. Not a long-term plan, but if you could get him for cheap-ish, it would be nice to see him run the floor with Jimmy Butler.

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