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Chicago Bulls: 5 Biggest Storylines From 2016

By James D. Tillman III

Dec 26, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade (3) reacts after dunking against the Indiana Pacers in the final seconds of the game during the second half at the United Center. The Bulls won 90-85. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade (3) reacts after dunking against the Indiana Pacers in the final seconds of the game during the second half at the United Center. The Bulls won 90-85. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; New York Knicks guard and former Bulls player Derrick Rose (25) shakes hands with Chicago Bulls Vice President of Basketball Operations John Paxson before a game between the Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; New York Knicks guard and former Bulls player Derrick Rose (25) shakes hands with Chicago Bulls Vice President of Basketball Operations John Paxson before a game between the Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Bulls Part Ways With Derrick Rose

There is an old adage that states “all good things must come to an end.” That principle can be applied in the sports world as well.

After being named Rookie of the The Year and the league’s most valuable player in the span of three seasons, it appeared that Rose was on the path to becoming a franchise cornerstone.

But thanks to various injuries, including three knee surgeries, the former Bulls star played in just 39 percent of the team’s games over the past four seasons.

That, along with the fact they missed the playoffs for the first time in eight years, ,the Bulls decided they had gone as far as they could possibly go with the previous core.

One of the first moves the front office made to pave the way for a new era of Bulls basketball was trading the former MVP to the New York Knicks in exchange for Robin Lopez, Jerian Grant and Jose Calderon — who was then sent to the Los Angles Lakers.

Fair or not, Rose’s health status was a black cloud that continuously hovered over the team since he sustained an ACL injury in the 2012 playoffs.

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With those discussions now a thing of the past, and Rose playing well with the Knicks (17.4 points, 4.4 assists and 4.1 rebounds per contest), the decision to go a in a different direction appears to be a beneficial one for both sides.

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