NBA Future Power Rankings: Every Team's Spot In 5 Years

NBA Future Power Rankings: Every Team’s Spot In 5 Years

By Ti Windisch | Nov 30, 2015

Nov 12, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots in the fourth quarter against Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) at Target Center. The Golden State Warriors beat he Minnesota Timberwolves 129-116. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 15: Chicago Bulls

Chicago’s future is uncertain. The Bulls have themselves a legitimate star locked up for the next five seasons in Jimmy Butler, but if he is forced to continue to play some 42 minutes per game for many more years his effectiveness could take a major hit by 2020.

Other than Butler, Chicago doesn’t have many assets that will be of use down the line. Derrick Rose, Pau Gasol, Mike Dunleavy and Joakim Noah will probably all depart the Bulls over the next five years, leaving Butler with the streaky Nikola Mirotic and Bobby Portis, who hasn’t played much in Chicago in his rookie season.

Things could go either way for the Bulls. Either they retool strongly and build a great team around Jimmy Butler, or they lose out on the best free agents and draft picks and end up stuck in the middle of the conference.

One thing can be certain–as long as the Bulls have Butler, they won’t be one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference.

Next: No. 16