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NBA rumors: Which team could be for sale this year?

By Colton Lowe

Apr 4, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) drives to the basket past New York Knicks guard Courtney Lee (5) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) drives to the basket past New York Knicks guard Courtney Lee (5) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 21, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) relaxes during a break in the action against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Chicago 122-120 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) relaxes during a break in the action against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Chicago 122-120 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls are one of the most valuable teams in the NBA, sitting at $2.5 billion. They have a great fan base, which actually leads the league in attendance, but the team performance isn’t quite up to where it needs to be to win a championship.

Owner Jerry Reinsdorf, bought the Bulls back in 1985 for — wait for it — $16 million. In his 30 years of ownership, Reinsdorf was able to bring in the greatest player to ever play the game, Michael Jordan, which ushered in the most successful era in Bulls history. Six NBA championships and a couple decades later, the Bulls are the fourth most valuable team in the league. Now, that’s how you invest. Why not take the money and run?

Reinsdorf is now in his eighties, and it doesn’t seem like he has the desire to try to bring the Bulls back to contender status. He’d much rather save money. The fans still show up anyway. Plus, there’s plenty of question marks going into the off-season for Chicago too, with the fate of Jimmy Butler and coach Fred Hoiberg still undecided.

If Reindorf does decide to sell, the Bulls would be one hot commodity. Great fan base, great tradition. A lot of buyers would be interested. It wouldn’t be surprising if they could sell for quite a bit more than their current valuation.

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