Jimmy Butler’s Success, Do the Bulls Have an Eye on the Suns and Warriors? And Other Bulls Bullets
So … the Miami Heat.
Is this guy really about to bring up the Jimmy Butler trade again?
YES. IT’S HAPPENING. SCROLL DOWN IF YOU DON’T WANT IT TO.
- For the most part, I feel like I’ve been pretty darn reasonable about the Butler trade since it happened. I’d also consider myself to be pretty darn reasonable about it right now. Do I recognize that the Bulls’ were broken enough internally that they weren’t likely to ever figure out how to build a true champion around Butler? Yes. Do I also recognize that Butler had two more stops before he found his perfect home in Miami? Mhm. But that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t sting to see all the success he’s had since leaving the Bulls’ franchise. Likewise, it doesn’t change the fact that trading him was likely a big mistake.
- As we’ve learned over the years, you do everything possible to GET and KEEP high-level talent. Then, you figure things out later. An organization has pretty much zero chance of truly competing for a championship if they don’t have one of the best 15 or so players in the NBA. Butler has turned himself into one of those guys, while the Bulls have spent the last seven years desperately trying to find their own player that can check that box.
- Butler has appeared in 14 playoff series since he left the Chicago Bulls in the summer of 2017, including three of the past four Eastern Conference Finals. The Bulls have appeared in one playoff series … and it was a five-game exit at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks. Again, I understand that it can be annoying to harp on something that happened nearly seven years ago. But I do think it further puts into perspective how abysmal this franchise has been for well over half a decade. Butler leaving sent the Bulls into a tailspin that they simply STILL haven’t recovered from.
- While the Heat wait to find out who their opponent will be in the East Finals, the West Finals is set between the Nuggets and Lakers. Los Angeles blew the doors off the Golden State Warriors to advance to the next round, which led to former-Laker Alex Caruso reminding us that we are a Boston win away from an identical final four to the one we watched in the bubble.
- The Suns put all their eggs into the Devin Booker and Kevin Durant basket. While they came up short in their first postseason together, they will be among the West favorites next season as the two have more time to build chemistry. Not to mention, the front office could be weighing some rather big changes to add better depth around the two stars. Part of that process could even include moving Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton, which we thought about from a Bulls perspective here …
- Similar to the Suns, the Warriors will also be one of the most talked about teams this offseason. The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater reported immediately after their loss that the franchise still believes they can win championships around Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. And this is despite both Thompson and Green coming up on new contracts. With that being the case, we could see them move around some of their young talent to retool their supporting cast. I hope Arturas Karnisovas’ ears are perked!
- If guys like Jonathan Kuminga or Moses Moody become available, the Bulls might as well make some calls. We all know they need to add some more high-upside young talent. I have zero clue what the asking price might be on either of those guys, but I have to imagine the Bulls have at least a couple of veteran names who the Warriors could be interested in.
- Fun Fact: Former-Bull Mike Dunleavy Jr. might be up for the Warriors’ lead front office job if Bob Myers decides to move on, per The Athletic.
- It’s just remarkable how Joakim Noah continues to prioritize the city of Chicago. Great work from a great person. We’re so lucky to have seen his career play out here.
- More on his new initiative here …
- Karl-Anthony Towns and Paul George talked about why Patrick Beverley tends to make a positive impact. They also did a pretty solid impression of him!
- I’m sure the man was honored to be slapped by Austin.
- HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DENNIS!
- More primetime football!
- Draft Connor Bedard and it’s an A+!
