With Dwyane Wade likely on his way out from his hometown Chicago, what are the implications for the Bulls?
The possibility of Dwyane Wade leaving the Chicago Bulls has never been higher.
According to Nick Friedell of ESPN, the two parties are expected to agree on a buyout within the next few months.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise to Bulls fans, and quite frankly, it shouldn’t be disappointing news either. Wade had arguably his worst season since his rookie year, putting up 18.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists, while shooting an abysmal 43.4 percent from the field.
According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Wade told Chicago management after the 2017 season ended that he has no intention of “being part of a rebuilding situation.” And after the Bulls traded star Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves and allowed Rajon Rondo to walk, it became clear that a rebuild was the exact direction Chicago was heading toward.
With all of that said, here are some pros and cons that could result from a Dwyane Wade buyout.
Pro: A more successful tank
Although Wade’s lone season with the Bulls wasn’t by any means a strong year, he is still a good player and better than most of his teammates on the roster. If Wade and the Bulls ultimately reach a buyout, then essentially by default, the Bulls will become worse off. They will pay Wade over $23 million to … no longer need his services.
More from Bulls News
- The dream starting 5 for the Chicago Bulls 5 years from now
- Bulls’ Ayo Dosunmu inspires the future with new school program
- Chicago Bulls NBA 2K24 full roster ratings, risers, and fallers
- Bulls sign a pair of promising guards to Exhibit 10 contracts
- When does NBA Training Camp start? Dates Bulls fans need to know
Wade and Butler were Chicago’s two best closers last season and Butler is already gone. If the Bulls lost Wade as well, then not only would Chicago be worse off talent-wise, but there would also be no one on the roster who the team could feel comfortable saying, “With the ball in your hands, we’ve got this.”
Con: Might be no accountability
One of things that Wade appeared to do several times last season (and even publicly as well) was hold people on the team accountable. Sure, it may have backfired on him (remember when Rondo defended the young players and called him out?), but he definitely was a vocal player.
If Wade left the Bulls, then a lack of accountability could arise within the organization. There’s only one player on the roster who could qualify to be a leader and that’s Robin Lopez. Outside of him, no player for Chicago has ever had any experience being a leader on a team. And if you’re expecting head coach Fred Hoiberg to do that, forget it.
Pro: More opportunities for the young guys
Arguably the best thing that would come from a Dwyane Wade buyout is the potential development of Chicago’s young players.
Since the Bulls are tanking, there’s no excuse for players like Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and Denzel Valentine to not have time to develop and earn real experience. Having Wade in the lineup would not only make the Bulls a better team, but it would also take some 30 or so minutes a game away from Chicago’s youth.
In addition to getting to play more, the Bulls’ young core would get to be their own leaders and not have to listen or deal with Wade. After all, they reportedly can’t stand him anyways.
More from Pippen Ain't Easy
- The dream starting 5 for the Chicago Bulls 5 years from now
- Bulls’ Ayo Dosunmu inspires the future with new school program
- Chicago Bulls NBA 2K24 full roster ratings, risers, and fallers
- Bulls sign a pair of promising guards to Exhibit 10 contracts
- When does NBA Training Camp start? Dates Bulls fans need to know
Con: Less people will watch and enjoy the Bulls
If you base their popularity solely off of social media, which in today’s world, seems to be a good metric, then the Bulls are the second-most popular U.S. sports team in the world. The Bulls have consistently sold most of their seats in the United Center and have had a solid fan base for years.
If Wade leaves, however, Chicago will be devoid of a true “household name” player for the first time in several years.
Last year, it was Butler and Wade. But, this upcoming season, it might have to be Zach LaVine. Don’t get me wrong, LaVine is a talented player known by any true NBA fan, but to casual followers of the sport, he might not be so well known.
What does this amass to? Well, combined with how bad Chicago will be, it very likely will lead to less fans watching and enjoying games. That would lead to less money made by the Bulls, which could make the higher ups in the front office upset and tired of a rebuild.
Next: Should the Bulls pursue Nerlens Noel next summer?
In reality, no one knows what would happen with less revenue, but the prospect sure as hell doesn’t sound like a good thing.