Post-NBA Free Agency power rankings
By John Buhler
Chicago Bulls
East, Central
The world has turned and left the Chicago Bulls in a very bad spot heading into 2017-18. No, Chicago will not be making the 2018 Eastern Conference Playoffs. The Bulls no longer have All-Star wing Jimmy Butler, as the dysfunctional Bulls have traded him to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a draft day bonanza.
Yes, the Bulls did get back Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and Lauri Markkanen’s draft rights, but LaVine is coming off an injury, Dunn was horrible his first year in the league with the Timberwolves and are we sure that Markkanen will ever be more than a knock-down shooter? At least the Bulls were able to sign Justin Holiday to a decent deal.
This will not be a kind year for the Bulls, but that’s really not the end of the world. Frankly, this year’s team will be more in line with the type of club that head coach Fred Hoiberg would have recruited to come play for him at Iowa State. He prefers younger, athletic players on his team, so the Dwyane Wade reunion may be short-lived. Wade is a prime candidate to be bought out at some point once the Bulls are hopelessly out of the playoff picture.
If Cameron Payne or Denzel Valentine pop under Hoiberg this fall, then the Bulls may not be picking in the top-five. This will be a great opportunity for Hoiberg to do some good, old-fashioned coaching, but will GarPax and ownership let The Mayor of Ames do his job?