Bulls Rumors: Breaking Down Plans for Remainder of Offseason

The Chicago Bulls have made some strange moves in the offseason, leaving plenty of question marks about what they will do next.

After dealing Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks, it seemed as though the Bulls were headed for a rebuild. Jimmy Butler was the subject of trade speculation during the draft, while the starting frontcourt of Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah left in free agency without much of a fight.  

However, the Bulls then turned around and added Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade, showing the team is still interested in winning games next season.

Nick Friedell of ESPN.com summed up the outside opinion on the Bulls:

It's hard to get a grasp of what the front office is planning, but at least it is interesting. Shockingly, though, the wild moves might not be over yet.

The Boston Celtics—who have been looking for trades all summer—are reportedly still hoping to lure Butler away, according to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald:

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Jimmy Butler and Jahlil Okafor are said to be still available, but getting them now won’t be as easy as on draft night when Chicago and Philadelphia, respectively, both coveted the No. 3 overall pick so they could take Providence’s Kris Dunn. ... 

There are indications the Celtics may still be able to do business with the Bulls and 76ers, but both sides will have to get creative.

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This would change things in a hurry. Butler showed last season he was one of the top two-way players in all of basketball, so dealing him for younger assets would again signify that the team is looking toward the future instead of the present.

Perhaps trading away a player at his highest value could work out, especially in a deal with the Celtics, who are loaded with young prospects. The next few years wouldn't be great, but the team would be closer to contending for a title before long.

The recently signed free agents might be disappointed to see the team go in a different direction, but they should be able to transition well. Rondo just came from the Sacramento Kings, who were far from contention. As for Wade, the fact that he considered signing with the Denver Nuggets showed he may not be focused on winning right away.

Wade also appears to be excited just to be home, via Fox Sports:

He could enjoy what will likely be his final years in the NBA while mentoring younger players who could eventually turn around the franchise.

If the front office does keep the roster intact, however, it should be good enough to compete for a playoff spot as long as it makes a few additions.

K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune noted the team is targeting a few more pieces:

There won't be many options for either guard position. Not only have many of the big names already signed contracts this summer, but the team also has less than $3 million left in cap space after signing Wade, according to Bobby Marks of The Vertical.

With that said, a shooter is necessary, considering who will likely be starting in the backcourt. Rondo is a 28.9 percent shooter from three-point range, while Wade has made just 28.4 percent of his shots from the outside in his career. These men have other positive qualities, but the lane could be clogged with them on the floor together.

If no one else is added to the roster, Doug McDermott might end up having a major role in the rotation just to stretch the floor.

No matter what the plan is going forward, it's clear the team will keep fans on their toes. 

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