Apr 12, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade (3) reacts after a play against the Brooklyn Nets during the first half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
The offseason is officially here for the Chicago Bulls, which means it is time for the organization to start planning their next moves.
After just creeping into the postseason, the 2017 NBA Playoffs came and went in a blink of an eye for the Chicago Bulls. Upon taking a commanding 2-0 lead against the No. 1 seeded Boston Celtics, the eighth seed simply fell apart.
Eliminated 4-2, so began their offseason.
And while last summer was a turning point for the franchise, trading away hometown hero Derrick Rose and signing the likes of Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade, management once again has some important decisions to make.
Although the Bulls did reach the playoffs, their 2016-17 campaign can hardly be considered a success. Between so-called locker room drama, shaky coaching and inconsistent play, this past year left much to be desired.
Which is exactly why fans are hoping the front office make the right sort of moves over the next few months.
The organization may not be known for headline worthy trades and/or free agency signings over the years, but the deals made last season certainly created a splash.
So what should Chicago do this summer?
Apr 18, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls point guard Rajon Rondo (9) during the first quarter in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Pick up Rajon Rondo's player option
Making sure Rondo is around next season should be the team's first priority.
When the Bulls acquired the guard last July, seemingly everyone had an objection to it. Some said signing him made no sense because the front office had just said they wanted to get younger and more athletic. Others made their case that the team would just replace one set of off-court issues with another. There were those who called him washed. All in all, no one understood what management was thinking.
But it turns out the 31-year-old was exactly what Chicago needed.
Rondo was a veteran who still had something to prove, yet had no problem leaving most of the workload to the younger generation. A playmaker who could make his teammates better, while also using his ball-handling abilities to be successful himself. An experienced player with legs still fresh enough to run the floor.
Sure, there were bumps in the road. And yes, there are parts of his game that still need improvement.
However, the pros definitely outweigh the cons.
Time to pony up that $13.4 million.
Apr 4, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Michael Carter-Williams (7) looks on in the final minutes against the New York Knicks during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Do not bring back Michael Carter-Williams
Making head coach Fred Hoiberg's system work is no easy task.
With that being said, Carter-Williams had a terrible year with the Bulls. Having averaged just 6.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists a game in his worst season to date. He shot just 36.6 percent, struggled on defense and had no chemistry with his teammates.
To say trading Tony Snell for the guard was a bad idea would be an understatement. Yes, even though Snell was not exactly blossoming in Chicago either.
Now, Carter-Williams is a restricted free agent. That means the Bulls could either match whatever offer sheet comes his way, or let him walk. The latter of those two options is the way to go.
It is true that the 25-year-old only has three years under his belt, with plenty of time left to develop into the player he could potentially be. And he did win Rookie of the Year in 2014.
Unfortunately though, it just is not happening for him with Hoiberg and company. Enter a new point guard.
Dec 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Nikola Mirotic (44) reacts to a foul call against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Really think about Nikola Mirotic's future
One of Chicago's major problems has been inconsistent play. Crushing teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, only to then lose to a team like the Brooklyn Nets… you never know what you are going to get with the Bulls.
The same goes for Mirotic.
While the 26-year-old has the ability to score 28 points in back-to-back games (against the Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks no less), he also has recorded the likes of only six points in a whopping 35 minutes of play.
That's not exactly helpful when trying to figure out who the team can really count on.
The forward averaged 10.6 points and 5.5 rebounds in 2016-17, numbers that are not terrible per se, but may not be worth putting up a fight for either.
However, there is an argument to be made that perhaps if Mirotic was used properly, he would be much more efficient.
With all that being said, the organization needs to take a moment and figure out what role they ideally want him in, before deciding to match any offers coming in for the restricted free agent.
Dec 12, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls vice president of basketball perations John Paxson (left) and general manager Gar Forman (center) talk with sports writer Sam Smith (right) prior to a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Choose a direction for the team
In case it is not frightfully obvious by now, the front office has but a clue as to what it is doing.
First the Bulls brass announced they were going younger and more athletic, which lasted a mere few months, if that.
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Then, they made it clear this would be Jimmy Butler's team — having brought aboard superstars in Rondo and Wade, aside.
Next, they were ready to throw in the towel and start from scratch, trying to orchestrate a trade for Butler with the Celtics.
Which turned into a playoff push. And now it seems they are content with rebuilding around Butler.
In other words, here we go again.
If Chicago wants any chance at being successful, management needs to come up with a clear-cut plan, before making any decisions regarding player options, offer sheets and trades. Enough with throwing ideas against a wall and going with whatever happens to stick.
It is never easy being average, stuck in the middle of the league. But change must start at the top.
So no more going with the flow. Or wishy-washy decisions. It is time to choose a direction and stick with it.
Apr 12, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Fire Fred Hoiberg
Look, right now, the Bulls are a hot mess.
So head coach Fred Hoiberg certainly deserves some credit for dealing with the front office for as long as he has, and in such a seemingly calm manner to boot.
On top of that, it is true that he was promised a different roster. Yes, younger and more athletic, which is exactly what Hoiball needs in order to work. At the end of the day, 35-year-old Dwyane Wade simply cannot run the floor like Hoiberg's college kids.
However, a coach should be able to adapt to whoever and whatever is in front of him. Take Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, for example. So the excuse of not having the guys he wants can only cover Hoiberg for so long. And unfortunately, there seems to be no indication of that complaint dying down any time soon.
Between insisting on running a specific offense, the inability to figure out successful rotations and earning absolutely no respect from the players… Hoiberg's time in Chicago is up.
Or it should be, anyways.
Maybe he should have stuck to college hoops. Or perhaps he would thrive under different management. Regardless, things just are not working out for him with the Bulls.
Here's to a busy summer.
