Bulls Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Jimmy Butler, Draft Targets and More

The Chicago Bulls could have a very different look and feel in the 2015-16 season.

Coming off an appearance in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Bulls parted ways with Tom Thibodeau and hired Fred Hoiberg to be the team’s next head coach. 

As far as personnel goes, more change could be on the horizon. 

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, guard Jimmy Butler may not stay in Chicago for very long. Butler is expected to test the market for a short-term deal this offseason, somewhere in the range of a max deal over the course of three years, per the report: 

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Chicago Bulls restricted free-agent guard Jimmy Butler has plans to pursue shorter-term offer sheets this summer, resisting the Bulls’ initial plans to offer him a five-year, maximum contract extension, league sources told Yahoo Sports. ...

... Butler has preliminary plans to pursue meetings with several teams once free agency starts in July, sources said. Several teams pursuing Butler told Yahoo Sports that they’re under the impression a short-term, max money offer sheet is the wisest way to approach Butler this summer.

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Wojnarowski reported that the Los Angeles Lakers are among the handful of teams in play to make a deal to Butler this summer. Because Butler is a restricted free agent, the Bulls have the right to match any offer the guard receives.

According to Wojnarowski, there is tension between Butler and point guard Derrick Rose. That adds some intrigue to the notion of Butler actually leaving the Bulls.

The 25-year-old put up career averages of 20 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game this past season, not to mention that he's one of the Bulls' top defenders.

The Lakers need to make a play to acquire a superstar to prepare for life after Kobe Bryant, and Butler fits the bill. After finishing as the second-worst defensive team in the NBA last season, Butler could also provide a defensive presence that the Lakers currently lack.

Noah Not in the Bulls’ Plans?

Former NBA Defensive Player of the Year Joakim Noah is preparing for the last year of his five-year, $60 million contract. Noah is slated to earn $13.4 million in the 2015-16 season, according to Spotrac.com.

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However, after a drop-off in production this past season, he could be playing elsewhere next year.

According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Noah’s slide in production could lead to the Bulls shopping the center this offseason:

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Noah will be entering the final year of his contract, and will do so with a $13.4 million price tag and a surgically-repaired left knee that did him very little favors. With Gasol and the return of Derrick Rose to the mix, Noah’s numbers dropped drastically from last season, and that’s why the Bulls are expected to at least test the trade market with him. 

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As mentioned in the report, Noah, 30, saw his points per game, assists and rebounds all drop in 2014-15. He averaged 7.2 points per game, his lowest average since 2008-09, while his field-goal percentage of 45 percent was a career-low mark.

Combine the decline in production with his track record of injuries, and Noah may become expendable this offseason depending on how Hoiberg believes he’ll fit in with his new system.

The biggest question is what the market would be for a 30-year-old untraditional center who, according to his statistics, is on the downslope of his NBA career. 

Celtics, Bulls Showing Interest in Anderson

The Bulls hold the 22nd pick in the upcoming NBA draft. One player the team is reportedly showing interest in is former Virginia small forward Justin Anderson. 

Both the Bulls and the Boston Celtics have “very high interest” in the former Virginia standout, according to Jake Fischer of Sports Illustrated:

At 6'6" and 231 pounds, Anderson averaged 12.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists in his last collegiate season. He’s projected as a late first-round pick, according to DraftExpress.com, which ranked him as the sixth-best player at his position.

Given the Bulls’ position in the draft, it makes sense for the team to go after the best player available as opposed to drafting for need. Anderson gives Chicago some depth at the small forward position, where Mike Dunleavy started last season.

In 2014, the Bulls picked Doug McDermott, also a small forward.

Given the team’s decision to draft McDermott last year, it'll be interesting to see if Chicago goes in the same direction two drafts in a row.

Otherwise, the team could simply be adding depth at the wing in case it does lose Butler in free agency or is planning for the guard to leave in the near future.