The stakes were high in 2017 when the Chicago Bulls rolled the dice, trying to rebuild the franchise and restore its winning legacy by trading All-Star guard Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves, but things seem to be only getting dicier as time goes on and added pressure mounts. Let’s take a look at how Bulls front office staff, Vice President of Basketball Operations John Paxson and General Manager Gar Forman (GarPax), is performing in terms of handling the Bulls’ roster during its rebuild.
It’s puzzling to think that GarPax has not yet been graded until now for all the changes made to the Chicago Bulls‘ roster since trading Jimmy Butler.
Why, you ask?
Why not, I retort.
For one thing, it’s been two years since the Bulls dealt Butler and the No. 16 overall draft pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves for guards Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn and the No. 7 overall draft pick.
Rumors and talk of a trade had swirled around the league for months.
Butler’s time as the “face” of the organization didn’t always pan out according to plan, if the Bulls ever had one at all. Bringing in veterans like Dwyane Wade and Rondo Rondo seemingly only added to the confusion.
As time goes on, the Bulls need to start seeing some return in investment from the Butler trade. That means wins are going to mean a little more moving forward or this rebuild will be considered a bust.
The last two seasons have been very trying for Bulls fans, but there’s a feeling around the league that the team’s luck is preparing to change direction for the better heading into the 2019-2020 campaign.
Without further ado, now is the time to officially grade GarPax since the Butler trade. Here is a look at how the Bulls’ front office staff is stacking up at this point in the rebuild.