Hoops Habit
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2017 NBA Draft: Biggest winners and losers

By Max Holm

Dec 13, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) dribbles the ball against Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) during the second half at the United Center. Minnesota defeats Chicago 99-94. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) dribbles the ball against Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) during the second half at the United Center. Minnesota defeats Chicago 99-94. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Justin Patton (Creighton) is introduced as the number sixteen overall pick to the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Justin Patton (Creighton) is introduced as the number sixteen overall pick to the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Biggest Loser: The Chicago Bulls and John Paxson

Look above and you’ll see Justin Patton walking past the Chicago Bulls logo. This will likely be how Bulls fans react to what happened on draft night: walking away from their franchise and United Center.

The Bulls got absolutely fleeced in trading Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

In the deal for Butler, they got Kris Dunn, an injured Zach LaVine and the seventh overall pick, which they used to take Arizona’s one-and-done sniper Lauri Markkanen. They also had to give up the 16th overall pick, which Minnesota took Justin Patton with. Giving up your own pick in addition to Butler is a borderline fireable offense.

Dunn had an awful rookie year and is 23, LaVine may never get his athleticism back and Markkanen had the lowest ceiling in the top-10. Passing on Dennis Smith Jr. seems like a bad idea, even with Dunn in the package.

Even if Dunn was in the deal, they could have walked away with a legit scorer and franchise player in Smith. Instead they have a plethora of role players, none of which seem fit to run a franchise.

This move by John Paxson continues his legacy of making bad decisions in the front office and could set the Bulls back a decade. Fred Hoiberg may want to jump ship immediately.