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Chicago Bulls: An all-too-early look at 2018 NBA free agency

By James D. Tillman III

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 12: Fred Hoiberg of the Chicago Bulls looks on during the NBA Draft Combine Day 2 at the Quest Multisport Center on May 12, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 12: Fred Hoiberg of the Chicago Bulls looks on during the NBA Draft Combine Day 2 at the Quest Multisport Center on May 12, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Chicago Bulls have been relatively inactive in terms of pursuing free agents over the past two seasons. Does this improve their chances of landing a marquee player in 2018?

The Chicago Bulls managed to sneak into the playoffs in spite of their 41-41 mediocre record. Their reward was a first-round meeting against the top-seeded Boston Celtics.

After the first two games, both of which were victories by the Bulls, it appeared that a potential upset was on the horizon. But as they had done all season after solid performances, the Bulls came crashing back down to earth in unspectacular fashion.

Rajon Rondo went down with an injury in Game 2, and his absence loomed large to say the least. The Bulls went on to lose four straight, including a 105-83 beatdown in the series finale.

Despite the disappointing end to the season, the Bulls have committed to going younger next season, which was the primary reason for trading Jimmy Butler and cutting ties with Rajon Rondo. With the three players they acquired in the Butler trade — Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen — the Bulls will have a different look heading into the 2017-18 campaign.

While the front office has finally taken a definitive step in regards to the direction the team is going, Bulls fans should brace themselves for a painful season.

"“There will be painful times. There always are,” Paxson told the Daily Herald. “Our fans, if they give us time and are patient, we’ll show results.”"

Taking those comments into consideration, the Bulls will be more than likely be in contention for a high draft pick a year from now.

This should be considered good news, right? Um, not so fast.

The downside to this is the front office hasn’t exactly hit the ball out of the park with its first round selections over the past few seasons. In fact, after taking Butler with the 30th overall pick in 2011, the Bulls’ draft selections have been a bit off the mark, to put it nicely.

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    • Remember Marquis Teague in 2012? He played just 67 games during his two-year stint in the Windy City .

    How about Tony Snell (2013) and Doug McDermott (2014)? Snell was traded prior to the start of last season, while McDermott was dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder at the trade deadline back in February.

    Nikola Mirotic, who they brought over from overseas prior to the 2014-15 season, has been inconsistent at best.

    Furthermore, both Bobby Portis and Denzel Valentine are still trying to find their niche within the rotation as well. So even if the Bulls do manage to secure a high draft pick next year, there is no guarantee they will make the right choice.

    Another area of concern for Bulls fans in terms of next season has to do with free agency. Sure, the Bulls did themselves a favor by choosing not to throw a ton of money at players just for the sake of doing so in 2016, and this year as well.

    As a result, they are well positioned to pursue a few big names in free agency next year, with a projected $40-50 million in cap space available. The caveat here is the Bulls aren’t considered a prime destination for premier players.

    Don’t believe me?

    LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh passed on Chicago in 2010. Four years later, Carmelo Anthony opted to stay with the New York Knicks — a team that has won just 80 games over a three-year stretch.

    Yes, I know the Bulls managed to sign Pau Gasol (back in 2014) and Wade last season. But both players were in the latter stages of their respective careers and should not be viewed as marquee free agents.

    Next: The biggest winners and losers of 2017 NBA free agency

    The last time the Bulls went into rebuild mode was after the last of their six titles back in 1998. It took them a full seven seasons before they became a playoff team again. Considering most of their improvements will come by way of the NBA Draft, it may take another seven years — if not longer — before this group develops into a team that can be considered a formidable opponent.

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