Chicago Bulls: 5 biggest disappointments from 2017-18 NBA season

2. Buying out Dwyane Wade

The Dwyane Wade-Chicago Bull saga finale could’ve been predicted right after Flash picked up his player option (after the Jimmy Butler blockbuster trade).

Although Wade did have a desire to help his hometown Bulls when he signed, this move indicated clearly that he was going to make getting paid his priority, despite a clear move to rebuild.

It’d be hard to blame him, but still, the move effectively held the Bulls organization hostage. With an impending buyout, most pundits rightly guessed that Wade would join his long-time friend and teammate LeBron James in Cleveland.

In the end, he left $8 million of his $23.8 million on the table in September. Despite satisfying a much-needed breakup, the move was damaging to the morale of the team. Clearly, Wade had something left to contribute, albeit not to a rebuilding Chicago roster.

This was the last ugly reminder of the confusing trio of Rajon Rondo, Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade. Each of the three demand the ball in their hands and while many thought it wouldn’t work from the get-go, the saving grace is that the Bulls avoided a longer rebuild after their departures. Nonetheless, a disappointment.