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Chicago Bulls: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season

By James D. Tillman III

CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 30: Robin Lopez #8 of the Chicago Bulls enters the court before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 30, 2017 at the United Center 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 - MARCH 30: Robin Lopez #8 of the Chicago Bulls enters the court before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 30, 2017 at the United Center 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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Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images /

3. Fred Hoiberg and the Bulls will part ways

When Gar Forman lured Hoiberg out of Iowa State two years ago, the main selling point was the Bulls were a championship-caliber ball club, and Hoiberg was the voice the team needed in order to take the next step.

In his first season, the Bulls finished with a 42-40 mark and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008. The following year, the Bulls finished with a mediocre 41-41 record, but managed to make it to the playoffs anyhow.

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The underlying theme in this story is Hoiberg thought he was going to have a group of players who would excel in a pace-and-space offensive system. Unfortunately for him, this has not been the case. Not even close.

Now as the team prepares to head into the third year of his tenure, Hoiberg is faced with coaching a team that does not have a ton of talent and still lacks the floor spacers he sorely desires.

Having said that, are Hoiberg and the Bulls on the road to a breakup? On the surface, it sounds premature, considering he will have two years and $10 million left on his contract at the end of the 2017-18 campaign.

However, after basically being lied to about the talent level of the team he took over, combined with what promises to be a painful year, it is possible that Hoiberg may not want to be part of a rebuilding effort beyond next season.

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