The Chicago Bulls should be looking to make some changes to their roster, so what if that included Jimmy Butler heading to the Los Angeles Lakers?
After finishing the season with a 42-40 record and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008, the Chicago Bulls must figure out a way to succeed moving forward.
Most people agree, a huge part of that plan will involve making some changes to the roster.
On paper, the current group of guys is not half bad. Between stars like Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler, Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah, solid figures such as Taj Gibson, and works in progress like Doug McDermott and Nikola Mirotic, the squad has the potential to have potential. But unfortunately, due to a handful of factors, this has not been the case.
For starters, there was an abundance of injuries present this year; something that would hinder even a team riddled with superstars. Rose started things off with an orbital injury, but also ended up suffering from a variety of other issues such as ankle sprain and hamstring tendinitis.
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Noah was ruled out for the season in January, thanks to a dislocated shoulder. Butler sprained his knee, an issue that popped up again a month after first diagnosed. Mirotic underwent an appendectomy, which then led to complications. Health-wise, the Bulls were a mess.
But that was not the only aspect of the roster that derailed the season.
Many guys had problems adjusting to newly appointed head coach Fred Hoiberg‘s system of play, now coined Hoiball.
Under former head coach Tom Thibodeau, Chicago was known as a defensive powerhouse. However, Hoiberg runs things a little differently; focused on offense and a fast-paced game, Bulls basketball drastically changed this year and players like Rose and Butler certainly needed time to figure out how best to deal with that. In fact, many may argue that they still have yet to get it down.
So, with all that said, it is easy to see why the front office is open to shaking things up.
"“We need to make some changes,” John Paxson told the media after Chicago’s final game of the season."
And although neither Paxson nor Gar Forman were specific, it does seem like they would consider letting go of Butler.
"“I would say, I think John made it pretty clear we’ve got to take a look at everything,” Forman said. “We’ve got to explore all options and I don’t think there’s anything that’s off the table when you have a disappointing year like this.”"
Neither the team nor the organization as a whole seems to be happy with Butler as of late. But where could they send him? And what could they get in return?
One scenario that has popped up is Butler landing in Los Angeles via the Lakers.
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With Butler supposedly relishing playing the role of a superstar (and being close with the likes of Mark Wahlberg), LA does not seem like a bad landing spot for the 26-year-old.
Having averaged 20.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game this year, his trade value is certainly up there. And while the Bulls may not appreciate his personality or current behavior, he can hardly be considered a troublemaker.
At the same time, there are rumors that the Lakers are trying to replace D’Angelo Russell, after some drama between the rookie and Nick Young arose. Essentially, a tape was leaked of Russell and Young discussing Young’s indiscretions with a lady other than his fiancé, rapper Iggy Azalea. And now, not only is there animosity between the two guys, but the rest of the team does not seem to trust Russell anymore either.
The 20-year-old put up 13.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists last season — numbers that will certainly grow, in the right environment.
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However, the problem seems to be that for talent like Butler, Chicago should be getting much more back in return than just a second-year player. If the Lakers can figure out another piece to move, or if these two teams can include a third team, however, this trade could become a possibility.