Jimmy Butler (Photo : Getty Images)
The Chicago Bulls have plenty of things to consider this summer, and there are rumors the team, after missing the playoffs for the first time in seven years, could be on board for a roster shakeup.
The Bulls' lost season could be enough reason for the franchise to immediately make changes in the team's lineup. Chicago has missed out on a postseason bid after a dismal campaign this season and an instant rebuild could be the answer to immediately heal their wound.
Joel Brigham of Basketball Insiders have suggested possible scenarios for the Bulls this offseason to quickly regain their composure ahead of the next season. According to Brigham, the Bulls should trade Jimmy Butler, try to re-sign soon-to-be free agent Joakim Noah and let Pau Gasol walk away in July.
Butler appears to be the only untouchable in the Bulls' roster in terms of trade deals. But after reportedly being at the heart of the team's chemistry issues, along with head coach Fred Hoiberg, the two-time All Star could be a trade piece for the Bulls in the offseason.
However, Brigham believes Butler can only be traded if it would be for another star. One name suggested in Brigham's story is Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin, who was also at the center of controversy over a punching incident with the team's equipment staff.
Noah, on the other hand, is set to hit the market after being linked several times to trade talks prior to the Feb. 18 deadline. Like Butler, Noah was reported to have issues with Hoiberg over the center's limited playing time before getting sidelined for the rest of the season to a shoulder surgery.
Noah could come cheap for other NBA rivals, having been inconsistent this season. His shoulder surgery could also lower his value in the market.
It would make sense for the Bulls to re-sign Noah, considering what he has contributed to the organization in the past seasons. However, the Bulls may need to convince the 31-year-old to once again put up with Hoiberg's system in Chicago.
Meanwhile, Gasol is expected to decline the player option on the final term of his three-year $22.3 million pact with the Bulls.
Gasol has made it known he was not happy about how the season ended for the Bulls, all the hint of planning to move on from the team that gave him the chance to once again flourish on the hard-court.
"Nothing is set right now," Gasol said, reports ESPN.
"Definitely, I will evaluate what I need to when the time comes. But the way the team has responded to adversity and the way we finished up the season has not been so far great, and it's been disappointing. So at the end of the day, when the time comes, I will evaluate things. It's hard to finish the season like this."
With the Bulls do not have much of the cap space needed to sign max contract free agents this summer, their true chance for reshaping their lineup could be the crucial decision of whether to trade Butler or not.
