The Chicago Bulls have gotten Dwayne Wade because the Miami Heat dropped the ball with the loyal Wade, who was drafted by Miami back in 2003 and has delivered the Heat their three NBA titles. Over his tenure with Miami Wade was always the team player by taking team discount deals to get free agents. So Wade got tired and went back home to a team with rising star Jimmy Butler and the newly acquired Rajon Rondo.
So this creates an interesting dynamic in Chicago now — a rising star, a three-time world champ and a veteran point guard, all under a second year coach in Fred Hoiberg, as well as a team that just missed the playoffs. When the Bulls traded Derrick Rose, they wanted to get younger, so instead they sign Rondo, 30, and Wade, 34. Rondo has had problems in the past with his attitude. I don’t think bringing in a veteran three-time world champion like Wade will help very much either. A guy like Wade won’t take any nonsense from Rondo and I can see this creating tension within the Bulls team next year.
Another problem this creates is whose team is it. With Rose out it looked to be Butler’s team, but now with Wade on the team that can cause an uneasy situation with who gets the shots and who will take the final shot in certain situations. But Wade is a great player to have for Butler, considering all of the things that Wade can teach Butler so he sees further success in his career.
I also don’t see how these signings take them back to the playoffs. The Bulls lack depth in the front court as well — they have Robin Lopez, Taj Gibson and second-year power forward Bobby Portis. Other than those three they don’t have much depth. They traded away Mike Dunleavy to the Cavs so they lose a perimeter threat and more depth with that trade.
The Bulls have made some interesting moves this offseason that could lead to another year of missing the playoffs. Butler, Wade, and Rondo will be an interesting trio to watch next year. I think it will end up in implosion and the possible firing of Hoiberg if he can’t get back to the playoffs.