The Chicago Bulls aren’t ready to win just yet, but there is plenty of reason for hope now. Why? LeBron James is gone. The future Hall of Famer made the momentous decision to leave the Eastern Conference for the first time in his career and signed a megadeal with the Los Angeles Lakers. While reasons for that choice remain unclear (money aside), it has suddenly popped things wide open in the East.
For the moment the Boston Celtics look like the heavy favorite to reach the Finals. This based on the work they’ve done building a young and fascinating roster. However, this does not make them invulnerable. The chances of making a run in the playoffs are far higher now than they’ve been in a decade. All the Bulls have to do is finish their latest rebuild strong.
They have a foundation in place with Lauri Markkanen but this era proves that the only way to truly compete for championships is by stockpiling as many All-Stars as possible. As things stand the Bulls aren’t ready for that sort of push yet, but that could change as early as 2019 if the latest rumors are to be trusted.
Jimmy Butler wants to team with Kyrie Irving and Chicago could benefit
Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reported recently that former Bulls star Jimmy Butler, whom they traded to Minnesota last year, has designs on teaming up with an old friend at some point in the near future. That would be Celtics point guard and former All-Star Kyrie Irving.
“A league source close to the situation told the Sun-Times on Tuesday that Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving and former Bulls All-Star Jimmy Butler — who’s been playing with the Timberwolves since a draft-night trade in 2017 — are still trying to figure out a way to play together.”
Both Butler and Irving have player opt-out clauses in their current contracts. So they could each decide to depart as free agents in 2019 if they wish and join forces somewhere else. This means if the Bulls played their hand right, they could potentially land both of them with the idea of teaming with Markkanen to form one of the hottest trios in the East.
The trick would be to build enough cap space for two max-level contracts ($32.4 million). Ryan Borja of Bullsconf.com says this is possible if the Bulls don’t make offers to Jerian Grant and Cameron Payne while waiving Omer Asik. This would give them upwards of $64.6 million in space.
With that settled, only one question remains. Can the Bulls lure both men to Chicago?
Butler doesn’t seem totally against the idea of Chicago return
There’s an interesting wrinkle to that question. While Butler wasn’t happy being traded to Minnesota, this doesn’t necessarily mean he’s against the idea of coming home. If LeBron could reconcile with Cleveland, he can do the same. There’s also something else to note carefully. Butler sold his River North mansion last year. However, this past May it was reported he’d bought a condo in the same area.
If it’s true and Butler would like to return to Chicago, then half the battle is already won for the Bulls. Him coming home would immediately increase their intrigue for Irving and then the max contract along with Markkanen would be the chaser. A lot of things would have to go right, including Irving wanting to leave Boston which is far from a guarantee.
Still, it’s a scenario that’s far more plausible than one might think.
