The Chicago Bulls are having one of their worst seasons of late and it's also the debut of new coach Fred Hoiberg.
Thus, it is easy to blame the new coach for the team's disappointing season. But more than that, it was said that a lot of the players "don't believe" in the new coach, according to Chris Broussard of ESPN.
"Some of them have said it publicly - Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson to a certain degree. A lot of them don't believe in Fred Hoiberg right now. It's just as simple as that."
Broussard noted that Hoiberg was "handpicked by GM Gar Forman so his job security is not an issue" and that the Bulls would rather change the roster. He mentioned the free agent departures like Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol, who are both likely gone, and trading Taj Gibson-a concept tossed around as far back as two years ago.
However, Jimmy Butler presents a quandary. Usually, it's a no-brainer when the star player and head coach clash, it's always the star player who stays. But there are also some quarters who think Butler might be the problem.
It should be noted that Butler also criticized former coach Tom Thibodeau in the exit interview, as recalled by NBC and he is also at the heart of "chemistry issues."
The Bulls are blaming Jimmy Butler's shot selection but NBC's Dan Feldman mentioned that the team still scores slightly better with Butler on the court. Thus, he believes it could be a personal matter.
"He's assuming a bigger role on a team that still has its longtime leaders. That hasn't always been well-received," Feldman wrote. "Sure, Butler sometimes forces bad shots, but it's hardly egregious. The Bulls score slightly better with him on the court."
Feldman then makes the conclusion that there could be factions on the team.
"This strikes me as teammates resenting Butler's rise to stardom. To be fair, he hasn't always handled his ascent perfectly. But it seems easier blame Chicago's offensive problems on his shot selection if you're too keen on blaming Butler first then finding a reason."
There have been previous reports on the Bulls having to trade either Derrick Rose or Jimmy Butler and the prior conclusion was that Rose should be the one traded.
However, if Butler and Hoiberg don't get along, the Bulls may consider flipping Butler. For one thing, there are actually many offers, or at least inquiries for Butler at the deadline, not just the publicized Boston Celtics call. Trading Butler will bring back more assets that the team needs to rebuild.
Another thing to consider, Rose will become one of the league's biggest expiring contracts next season. The former MVP knows his stock has fallen and he has publicly declared that he wants the money. He will definitely play his best for a new contract, whether with the Bulls or otherwise.
If the Bulls don't fire Hoiberg, whether it's the correct decision or not, they need to build a team that will fit his system and bring players that want to play for him. If that's not Jimmy Butler, then the team has to decide on his fate.