A depth chart breakdown
Point guard (with Butler trade)
De’Aaron Fox is our guy. He’s going to take the reigns from Rondo and the carousel of last season and it’s his show. He’ll take his lumps, but he’s the No. 3 pick in the draft. He’ll produce with time. Regardless of scenario, Canaan is gone. Michael Carter-Williams is also gone. Cameron Payne can go to the D-League and play in Hoffman Estates. Jerian Grant becomes the backup to Fox. From Rondo, Grant, Payne, MCW and Canaan to Fox, Grant and Payne in the D-League.
PG (without Butler trade)
Still, Canaan and MCW are both gone. Same with Rondo. Grant’s signed and Payne’s still in Hoffman Estates. We’d have to analyze this position with Butler gone, but since he’s our guy and we’re building around him, he’s basically running the show now.
All U Can Heat
Shooting guard (with Butler trade)
Wade’s gone if Butler is traded. That’s pretty clear. That means Denzel Valentine gets to try and flourish next to Fox in the backcourt. Josh Hart comes in at No. 38 behind him and can be a solid second-unit guy for the bench.
SG (without Butler trade)
Wade would likely stay, but he’s not starting. If he wants to start, don’t accept that player option that no one else is going to give you. Valentine will become the starter here too, with Wade and Dorsey behind him.
Small forward (with Butler trade)
OG Anunoby steps into the void left by Butler as the 16th pick. Paul Zipser can play the 3 and the 4, but if Mirotic is gone, Portis likely steps into that role at power forward. Zipser can step into this role to start, but Anunoby is the future at this spot.
SF (without Butler trade)
With Butler taking more of a point guard role, Justin Jackson steps in with Zipser to play on the wing. It’s like Anunoby in the other scenario. Zipser can be the guy here, but Jackson has a higher ceiling and is the future of this role.
Power forward (with Butler trade)
If Butler is traded, that opens the door for a bigger role for Nikola Mirotic and Bobby Portis offensively. Plus, the Bulls technically lose a star that can guard the 4. But, that’s why Anunoby was the pick at No. 16. He can guard more than just 2’s and 3’s. With Butler gone, let’s give Mirotic a chance with a reasonable price. If it’s four years and $80 million, take that offer sheet, Niko … because we’re not matching that.
PF (without Butler trade)
Mirotic has to step up and become that No. 2 scorer/option for the Bulls if we’re going to build around Butler. He’s got the potential to be a really good player and at times has shown that. But, those times have been too limited. If the price is right, we’ll take him back and give him a real chance to produce and become the star we thought we were getting in the draft night trade for him.
Center (regardless)
God bless Robin Lopez and his fantastic hair.