2016-17 NBA Season Preview: Chicago Bulls
Welcome to theScore's 2016-17 NBA preview, where you'll find comprehensive coverage of all 30 teams and storylines to watch this season.
Chicago Bulls
2015-16
| Record | Pacific | West | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42-40 | 4th | 9th | N/A |
Offseason Roundup
| Additions | Departures |
|---|---|
| Dwyane Wade (2/$47.5M) | Derrick Rose (Knicks) |
| Rajon Rondo (2/$30M) | Joakim Noah (Knicks) |
| Isaiah Canaan (2/$2.2M) | Pau Gasol (Spurs) |
| Robin Lopez (Trade) | Aaron Brooks (Pacers) |
| Jerian Grant (Trade) | E'Twaun Moore (Pelicans) |
| Spencer Dinwiddie | Mike Dunleavy (Cavaliers) |
| Denzel Valentine (Draft) | Justin Holiday (Knicks) |
| Paul Zipser (Draft) |
Projected Starting 5
- PG Rajon Rondo
- SG Dwyane Wade
- SF Jimmy Butler
- PF Taj Gibson
- C Robin Lopez
Player to watch: Dwyane Wade
The reality of 12-time All-Star and surefire Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade leaving the Miami Heat is slowly setting in, with his hometown Chicago Bulls reaping the rewards of failed negotiations with South Beach management.
Miami's postseason run to within one win of the Eastern Conference finals proved Wade, who turns 35 at the turn of the year, still has quality basketball left in his tank. He's not the one-man wrecking crew he was, but with the exception of his outside shooting, there's really nothing Wade can't do at an above-average level.
He's been on the record saying the Bulls are Jimmy Butler's team, which goes to show how much of a team-first talent Wade is. The Windy City native is a proven winner with three championship rings, and if taking a backseat to the younger, more vigorous Butler is what he needs to do for the Bulls to remain in the playoff picture, then that's what he'll do.
Wade prioritized his happiness when signing with the Bulls, and while his play wasn't on any steep decline in recent years, a fresh start with a new organization, teammates, and overall outlook should inspire Flash to continue putting up incredible numbers late in his career.
Season Expectations
The Bulls underwent an extreme makeover this summer, losing a number of players who had become staples of the franchise, and replacing them with quality acquisitions, although a majority of them can't shoot the rock from distance.
After ranking third in 3-point shooting in 2015-16, five of the top eight outside shooters on their roster (Moore, Holiday, Dunleavy, Brooks, and Gasol) are now gone, and it's safe to say the likes of Wade (career 28.4 percentage from the perimeter), Rondo (28.9 percent), and Grant (22 percent) won't keep those numbers up.
The Bulls always felt like they were within an arm's reach of being legitimate championship contenders, yet they consistently fell short in their bid to even reach the finals. Sure, LeBron James had a lot to do with it, but frankly, the Bulls were good enough to make the playoffs, but not good enough to make any real noise.
A mere two games kept them out of the postseason for the first time since 2008 last season. A lot has changed, though, and with that change comes a certain level of uncertainty. Challenging the Cleveland Cavaliers is out of the question, and even if everything comes together and everyone stays healthy, a No. 6-8 seed is probably as good as it's going to get.