The Chicago Bulls made arguably the biggest move in free agency outside of Kevin Durant moving to the Golden State Warriors when they managed to lure Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade away from South Beach. The three-time NBA champion signed a two-year deal worth $47.5 million, heading back to his own home and joining forces with fellow free agent signing Rajon Rondo and breakout superstar Jimmy Butler. The signing itself is huge based on the fact that D-Wade is a future Hall of Famer and came off a nice season, averaging 19 points and 4 assists a game.
Despite a seemingly blockbuster coupe in signing one of the best shooting guards to ever play, the reality is that this Bulls squad are destined for failure. As it stands, the current starting five for Chicago would be –
PG – Rajon Rondo
SG – Dwyane Wade
SF – Jimmy Butler
PF – Taj Gibson
C – Robin Lopez
Even in a weak Eastern Conference, this team is going to struggle.
Why The Bulls Will Struggle
Rondo and Wade are both north of 30 years old, and although still able to make plays, Fred Hoiberg’s system requires up-tempo offense which is something both guards are unable to provide.
Rondo is not an up-tempo guard, which has seen the former Celtic clash with coaches previously with his time in Dallas and issues with Rick Carlisle coming to mind. Rondo’s style is more methodical and ball dominant, something that doesn’t fit what Chicago have been looking to install.
Much like Rondo, D-Wade was unable to really gel with Goran Dragic in Miami, with ball dominance and lack of pace in his style of play major issues. The Miami offense was frustrating to watch last season as much like this Bulls squad, lack of outside scoring caused for awkward plays and many empty possessions due to lack of any real chemistry between Wade and Dragic.
Another issue has been Rondo’s inability to develop any semblance of a jump shot. Rondo is best utilized in a team surrounded by shooters who can space the floor, allowing easier routes to the basket for Rondo to score. That is something this squad has very little of.
Dwyane Wade has never been known as a shooter, posting a career 28% from three point range. Much like new teammate Rondo, Wade has relied on his ability to get to the basket and also a solid post up game for the bulk of his scoring.
Jimmy Butler has risen to superstardom over these past few seasons in Chicago, but like Wade, is not an outside scorer. Butler shot 31% from deep last season and despite the ability to put up huge numbers on a nightly basis, you can count on very few of those points coming from beyond the arc.
A lack of shooting means a lack of floor space, in turn hindering Rondo, Wade and Butler’s ability to get to the basket and draw fouls. With two defensive orientated players in Taj Gibson and Robin Lopez down low, it is difficult to see how the Bulls will create an effective offense consistently.
Although rookie Denzel Valentine brings some element of intrigue to this squad, this new look Chicago squad is going to be ugly to watch next season.