Chicago Bulls
The rebuild is officially underway in Chicago. The Bulls acquired Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, and drafted 7-foot-10 inch, 230-pound forward from the University of Arizona, Lauri Markkanen. Markkanen, a very nice player, was arguably the best shooter in this year’s draft class.
Markkanen averaged 15.6 points, and 7.2 rebounds during his only season with the Wildcats. Questions surround him as to which position he will play, either power forward or center, with this Bulls team on a roster full of aging players.
As for the other pieces received in the Butler trade, Lavine (21 years old) and Dunn (22 years old) will now be the future of the franchise for the next few seasons if not used in a deal to attract a star to replace Butler.
The Bulls should have tried acquiring as many picks as they could have for Butler to attempt to replenish their talent through this year’s draft. There was a lot of talent going in the late first and early second round. The Bulls settled on two young average players, and a lottery pick in Markkanen.
Chicago, the 8th seed last season in the East at 41-41, decided it was time to blow everything up completely, and did so last night. The next decision for this team will be whether or not to bring Dwayne Wade back, or buy out his contract and start playing all younger players next season.