Towards the end of the 2017 NBA Draft (which was pretty much over), the Chicago Bulls front office pairing of Gar Forman and John Paxson spoke with the media after the Jimmy Butler trade.
Gar Forman and John Paxson have been public enemies in the eyes of Chicago for a few years now and another tipping point came on Thursday night as the 2017 NBA Draft was just starting.
GarPax traded their franchise centerpiece, Jimmy Butler, and the No. 16 overall pick in the draft to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and the No. 7 overall pick.
The Bulls used that acquired pick to select Arizona power forward Lauri Markkanen, a seven-foot Finnish star who is one of the best pick-and-pop players in this draft class.
The Bulls would later trade the No. 38 overall pick they finally received from the Sacramento Kings to the Golden State Warriors, which turned out to be Oregon big man Jordan Bell.
A little while after, the Bulls’ notorious front office pairing stepping in front of the media covering the draft at the Advocate Center to speak with GarPax. Let’s take a glance into what was said by Chicago’s resident Bert and Ernie.
On the Jimmy Butler trade
On the future of the Bulls
Pax: "What we've done tonight is set a direction."
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) June 23, 2017
John Paxson says #Bulls needed "certainty" in terms of "jump starting" this rebuild. Bulls felt that presented itself today.
— Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) June 23, 2017
On one of the new pieces for the Bulls: Zach LaVine (who is rehabbing a torn ACL)
Zach Lavine's ACL rehab is going "great," John Paxson says.
— Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) June 23, 2017
Bulls believe LaVine is ahead of schedule in rehab after ACL injury -- but it remains unclear when he will be on the floor again.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) June 23, 2017
Pax on LaVine return: "We’ll err on the side of caution. That’ll all be decided but we’ll be cautious."
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) June 23, 2017
On new point guard Kris Dunn
On picking up Rajon Rondo’s option for the 2017-18 season
Gar Forman says #Bulls haven't made decision on Rajon Rondo.
— Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) June 23, 2017
On why they sold the 38th pick to Golden State
Forman and Paxson on Jimmy Butler’s trainer bashing him on Twitter
Forman on Travelle Gaines’ tweet: “I hadn’t seen it, it is what it is."
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) June 23, 2017
John Paxson says it's not right and not fair and not professional for Travelle Gaines to take a shot at Gar Forman.
— Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) June 23, 2017
On Nikola Mirotic’s pending restricted free agency
John Paxson said the Bulls intend to re-sign Nikola Mirotic in restricted free agency.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) June 23, 2017
On taking Lauri Marrkanen at No. 7 overall
Gar Forman: "We took Lauri because he was the best player on the board."
— Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) June 23, 2017
Paxson on Dwayne Wade’s role with him still accepting his player option
Pax on Wade: "We’ve studied teams who’ve rebuilt. You need veteran presence in the locker room. We’ve yet to talk to him but we will."
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) June 23, 2017
Flexibility!
Pax: "We're going to remain patient and disciplined." Says Bulls won't be throwing huge money at players unless it's long term fit.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) June 23, 2017
What about dealing with Tom Thibdoeau?
Yeah, sure. OK, guys.
For the most part, it was the same ol’, same ol’ from GarPax in their post-draft presser (that really wasn’t a post-draft presser because the draft was still going on). “We got three lottery picks tonight” and “flexbility” and … yeah, it’s all the stuff you’ve already heard before.
Next: Report: Celtics wouldn't give up picks for Jimmy Butler
So basically, the Bulls traded away their franchise’s best player, got a bad return and then sold a pick they had been waiting on for years with the Kings pick. That’s pretty GarPax, but hey, they had to defend that front office financial championship.