"Aftermath"

I personally had to decompress for a few days before putting my thoughts to screen. Similar to a fight with a partner you would never give up on. Don't say so much that you cant take it back, because those words hold weight forever. Personally invested emotionally and almost physically addicted to this basketball team at this stage of my life.(which is why the moves our "competent" front office continues to make cut so deep) . This is the team that's "Chicago Bulls Greatest Hits Vol. 2 CD" fueled my 90's childhood after all. With classics "Be Like Mike - Antelis, Pitzel & Shafer", "We Are the Champions - Alphabet City All-Stars", "Pump up the Jam - Technotronic" and "Wooly Bully - Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs " playing in the background of many of my earliest memories. This team is in my blood, with generations of Chicago blue collar construction workers instilling in me the same work ethic the GOAT displayed wearing the forever iconic Bulls jersey.

 I went into draft night with high hopes that of all trades, this one, that had been gaining steam for over two years would be executed with the finest toothed comb. With Butler's value higher than it will ever be, given his dominance on a team devoid of culture, structure, or consistent help. Throw his "super team" friendly contract for at least two years under twenty million (3rd year player option) in, and our 30th overall self made pick from 2011, who gave fans a reason to tune in nightly was sure to leave behind a haul that would carry on his legacy for years to come. Surely the "geniuses" we call Garpax couldn't even mess this up, with the wound still fresh from the OKC robbery of two other Thibodeau era players (Taj and Dougie). We were sure to leave with a top 5 pick, a prospect from last years draft and future picks from either Boston or Phoenix at 3-4. Both who had shown interest in Butler for either a potential super team (Boston) or the go to veteran in his prime for a teams age averaging that of a college teams in Phoenix. Then the "hold my beer" moment came, well before Minnesota was on the clock. Leading me to believe this rumor had to be smoke, to entice Phoenix into more then their past offers. No way were the Bulls front office giving Butler to their arch nemesis for pennies on the dollar. NO WAY this was a legit deal, who would trade a top 10-15 player with his contract, for a 22 year old with an ACL injury on a one year deal, the disappointing "ROY" potential 23 year old #5 pick from last years draft and a swap of  #7 for #16. I was in complete denial until it was final. But as Phoenix picked Josh Jackson, my aspirations of getting an All-Star potential PG in De'Aaron Fox (19 years old) to take on this rebuild slipped away. It wasn't rumor or smoke, we really took less than we had been offered for years, while giving up our own pick. Which was desperately needed, as players like Patton or Ferguson would now fit our current timeline. My whiskey fueled reaction of disgust was only met with more salt in the wounds when we sold our early 2nd round pick (#38). I waited around trying to contain my anger, given our luck late, in lesser drafts (Zipser #48, Portis #22, Butler #30, Taj #26). These picks alone had aloud me the optimism to give our front office the benefit of the doubt going into draft night. With a long over due direction finally set, we have to add to the depth chart right? Wrong, with a call from the defending Champions (which alone should scream loud enough to second guess your choice to sell) we sold Jordan Bell (6'9, 22 year old defensive natured PF) for three and a half million in cash considerations. We should have been the ones looking to buy, with a direction set and two way contracts for the "G League" coming into play next season, not sell. With all logical thinking up in the air at this point, we move forward none the less.

(Are any of you reading this as "soft" as the man I have already dubbed "the Kraken")

We turn to optimism in our or final portion of this heartfelt conclusion blog. What can we turn to for hope in the darkest of days? Well at #7 we did select the best seven foot tall shooter in college history, who some have called soft or one dimensional. But in search of the great hope I needed to solidify my opinion of this undercut trade. I bring you some comforting material in the first days after my definition of  an "implosion of a trade". Markkanen does not possess as fragile of a frame as some would project. He is a high character, hard working, rare talent with anything and everything for potential. With a rebuilding culture in need of new leadership, cultural foundation and work ethic. We did select the right young man at #7, given the direction of the league. At worst "the Kraken" will be a seven foot tall shooter who has a harder time missing a corner three point attempt, than he will ever have in his confidence to shoot it. With almost scary athletics, as a semi-filled out seven footer, he will pose a difficult cover for any position from small forward to center. His translation to the NBA may be one unseen, but to say this young mans potential is limitless, is as close to untouchable as one can put into words. 

( Kris Dunn calling you out for the hate)

This brings us to the 23 year old #5 pick in the 2016 NBA draft. Once in the top of the conversation for rookie of the year. The 6'5 point guard (6'10 wingspan) struggled as many rookies do in a Tom Thibodeau system (Butler 2.6ppg). He posted the worst true shooting percentage in the league, in his rookie year. Giving Dunn no easy way out, these numbers are scary and unacceptable for his given athleticism and potential. But as we take the last two adjectives in the prior sentence to move forward, there is a lot to like as well. Dunn is a two way player, with length that will disrupt even the most talented guards he will be tasked with guarding. As well as notable vision, he generally looks to get his team involved with crisp clean passes, to the most open man anywhere on the floor. Kris is underrated coming into his second season, with just as underrated handles. Between film from his pre-draft selection at #5 last year, and this years season to forget. Dunn is a creative finisher and passer out of his drives. DO NOT let the stats from his rookie year be your final judgement. As the biggest upside from this past, early lottery pick is his versatility and ability to allow smaller players to couple him in the backcourt at the shooting guard position due to his length and defensive ability. Don't sleep on him, or you may become the butt of any draft night jokes.

(2x NBA Dunk Champion LaVine)

The dunk phenome that would've been the headliner in this trade a year ago, comes to the Bulls on a season ending ACL injury. LaVine would've been the attention grabber in this deal had it been made last year. But coming in owed a new deal after this year, in which he will not start the season with his young peers. I as many other Bulls fans are fearful of another athlete who can never recover from his body failing him. LaVine is far from one dimensional, he shot 38.7% from deep. At only 22 his young body is more than capable of rebounding. The question is will he come back with the same distrust in his game as Derrick Rose, or will he come back with vengeance as Russell Westbrook did? With the most detrimental injury possible to an athlete, it tends to be one drastic extent or the other. Although resigning LaVine after this year could be the biggest decision for the Bulls in hindsight, it should be rather entertaining to watch. Zach is a restricted free agent at the end of the next season. Meaning the Bulls can match any offers and retain this beyond entertaining young man if his determination to overcome this frightening injury reflects his hard work ethic.

(The age breakdown of the prospective 2017 roster I made last night, including my general thoughts)

In conclusion, undervalued trade aside. Moving forward with the questionable move made, to get from mediocrity and into rebuilding. The current roster with RFA's included is exactly what you look for going into a rebuild. Potential and starting role competition, should make for a fun development process. As long as the Bulls give the 24 year old and younger core the time it takes to evaluate before making more hasty, unjustified roster moves. In 3-5 years we could be in the talks for quickest rebuild into contention. Although a large amount of this will hinder on ownership parting ways with our consistently proven incompetent front office, even with Garpax making decisions to deter the fan base from the ultimate goal. We will prevail, with the unwavering support of  diehard fans who have been toyed with since the post double dynasty era.