The Chicago Bulls have tough questions to answer.
Is it time to move star guard Jimmy Butler? What other moves could the Bulls make?
Our NBA Insiders debate the future of the Bulls.
1. What do you foresee and advise for the Bulls this offseason?
Nick Friedell, ESPN.com: This is one of the most important and uncertain offseasons in recent memory for the Bulls. They have to choose a direction for their future: Rebuild around Jimmy Butler or go in a different direction behind an unproven coach and a questionable roster?
They could go in a variety of directions with the No. 14 pick in the draft later this month. Either way, they've got to get more athletic, and the Bulls have to find more frontcourt depth to replace Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah in case they depart.
For a team that had championship aspirations heading into the past few seasons, the Bulls are now in the worst place to be in professional sports: the middle.
Chad Ford, ESPN Insider: It might be time for a total rebuild after a disappointing 42-40 season. Jimmy Butler has been restless, and he has terrific trade value, as does Taj Gibson. Pau Gasol could be gone. Ditto for Joakim Noah. Derrick Rose continues to not measure up to his former self.
Rebuilding is tough, but the Bulls have the No. 14 pick in the draft this year, plus Nikola Mirotic. They should make moves now, while their trade assets still have value. As constructed, it doesn't look like this crew is going to ever overtake the Cavs.
Jeremias Engelmann, ESPN Insider: I'd probably let Joakim Noah walk, unless he is content with a smaller contract, as his production dropped off significantly the past season. Pau Gasol, 35, is relatively old by NBA standards but is still serviceable. Keeping him for two more years wouldn't hurt if the price -- currently $7.5 million per season -- doesn't go up.
Bradford Doolittle, ESPN Insider: My suspicion is there is a yawning chasm between the Bulls' likely offseason approach and what I think they should do. My general philosophy would be about positioning for the summer of 2017 while recognizing that the Derrick Rose era needs to end. If the Bulls can trade him, they should do it without hesitation. Secondarily, Chicago needs to target athletic players with length who guard multiple positions.
Kevin Pelton, ESPN Insider: A frontcourt makeover. I don't see either Gasol or Noah returning, which would give the Bulls a little more than $20 million to find a replacement. Bismack Biyombo, Festus Ezeli and Ian Mahinmi are likely candidates to supply needed rim protection.
In the draft, I see Chicago adding a point guard to solidify the revolving door behind Rose (and maybe supplant him).
2. Which of these is more true?
A. The Bulls should build around Jimmy Butler.
B. The Bulls should move Butler while his trade value is at a high point.
Pelton: A, from the outside. What we don't know is how legitimate the concerns are about Butler's chemistry with his teammates and coach Fred Hoiberg. If those problems are likely to continue, Butler's trade value is presumably near its peak. However, it's always challenging to get equal value in return for a star player, so I would be inclined to keep Butler.
Doolittle: A. Butler is a better player than Rose, though they don't work as a duo. Butler is now a plausible offensive creator who guards three positions on defense. Plus, his skill set is one you can build around, especially because he's nearly there with developing consistency and range on his jump shot.
Engelmann: A. Butler ranks as the 21st player in real plus-minus. He's no LeBron James, but a number of NBA teams would be happy if their best player were as good as Butler. Being just 26 years old, he has many productive years ahead of him.
Ford: B. This is about selling high and moving a player who is likely to be unhappy going through a rebuild in the prime of his career. Several teams, including the Celtics and Timberwolves, are in hot pursuit. The Bulls should be able to get a combination of a lottery pick and another good young player in return.
Friedell: B. Butler is a great player who puts in a huge amount of work on his game and wants to become the unquestioned face of this team. But there are a few underlying issues with his evolution into the team's focal point.
First and foremost, Butler rubbed some of his teammates and executives the wrong way with some of his words and actions. He acknowledged to ESPN.com after the season "that talk is cheap and learn to keep your mouth closed" while discussing what he learned in regard to leadership the past season.
The second issue is whether Butler can elevate his game to being the best player on a championship-caliber team, on top of growing as a leader. With those questions surrounding the organization, the Bulls would be better served to deal Butler now and get the largest return possible. That's especially true given that Butler has been a league leader in minutes played the past three seasons and has more tread on his tires than other younger players in the league.
The path to the NBA Finals will be blocked for the Bulls in the next few years, so long as LeBron James stays in the conference. With that in mind, the Bulls should start the rebuild now and be ready for when James' game falls off the top perch.
3. How should the Bulls prioritize bringing back Derrick Rose, Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson?
Ford: Given that I think it's time to rebuild, perhaps all of them should be allowed to move on. Obviously, the Bulls might try to look at a sign-and-trade for Gasol and Noah. But with so many teams sporting massive cap space, don't expect other teams to give up a lot of assets for either one. Noah especially seems like he could be gone this summer, with former head coach Tom Thibodeau (in Minnesota) and others coming after him in free agency.
Pelton: I wouldn't want any of them on the 2017-18 Bulls on their likely contracts. Despite his offensive production, Gasol's flagging defense and age cause roster construction issues, and Noah's health makes it difficult to count on him going forward. By the time he hits free agency, Gibson will be 32 and presumably looking for a long-term contract. Rose is the only one whose age fits with Chicago's young core, but I don't see him ever transitioning to a supporting role on the team he once led.
Doolittle: Gibson, then none of the above. To get the Bulls positioned at around $65 million in cap space next season, you can't hand out multiyear contracts to 30-something big guys who don't fit the Hoiberg approach. Gibson is a valuable trade chip, but keeping him doesn't impinge future flexibility. Also, I'd keep E'Twaun Moore if possible.
Friedell: With Gasol and Noah likely gone and the Bulls ready for a divorce with Rose, the answer here is, simply, Gibson. The problem for the Bulls is that while Gibson might be the most universally well-liked player in the locker room, he's going to be 31 soon and isn't the type of game-changing talent that will push the Bulls from one level to another. If the Bulls feel they are getting value in any deal for Gibson or Rose, they should make the move now.
Engelmann: Gasol, Gibson, Noah and Rose. Gasol ranks as the best of the four in RPM by a wide margin, and his game ages well. Noah and Gibson are decent, but the price needs to be right to bring them back. Rose ranks 81st out of 85 point guards in RPM and earns max money. The Bulls should trade him, if possible.
4. What trades would make the most sense for the Bulls?
Pelton: I'd explore a deal to send Gibson to a contender for a young prospect. If the Bulls don't draft a point guard, Gibson to the Toronto Raptors for Delon Wright and salary filler might make some sense for both sides. Or perhaps Tom Thibodeau might be interested in reacquiring Gibson for one of Minnesota's young players using the team's cap space.
Engelmann: Given that Rose is making max money, is now a far-below-average NBA player with an RPM of minus-4.2 and might still be considered a star by less savvy GMs, I would try to trade him. It would help if the Bulls could bring in a defensive-minded, no-nonsense PG in return.
Friedell: One of the biggest flaws in the Gar Forman-John Paxson regime in recent years has been their inability to land productive players in the draft. The Bulls need to get younger and more athletic in any deal they make. Mike Dunleavy struggled to find a rhythm after offseason back surgery. At 35, there's no reason for him to still be in Chicago next season on a team that has no championship hope for now.
The biggest question revolves around Butler. He is the most tradable asset Forman and Paxson have. They have to get several picks and young players in any deal.
Doolittle: Let's say Rose has a healthy season, puts up decent numbers and tries on defense, and his RPM moves into the positives. Even then, do you really want to max out on him next year? If not, trade him now (if you can) while he carries the perception of positive momentum. Send him to the Philadelphia 76ers for Nerlens Noel if you can.
Ford: When it comes to a Butler trade, two teams really have interest and the sort of assets the Bulls are after: Boston and Minnesota.
The Celtics have the No. 3 pick in the draft and young players such as Marcus Smart, Avery Bradley and Kelly Olynyk, who could be attractive to the Bulls. The Wolves also have some intriguing parts, primarily the No. 5 pick and Zach LaVine.
Either trade would give the Bulls some real assets to begin rebuilding around, though I think the Wolves' offer, because of LaVine, might be a little stronger. With the No. 3 or No. 5 pick in the draft, I think Chicago would target Providence's Kris Dunn.
5. If the Bulls were a stock and you were looking ahead three years, would you buy, sell or hold?
Ford: Sell. They're most likely going to have to rebuild. If they don't, they'll be stuck in mediocrity. Either way, they are far away from where we thought they could be until very recently -- championship contention.
Doolittle: Hold. A young group of Butler, Nikola Mirotic, Bobby Portis, Doug McDermott and Cristiano Felicio gives you something to work with. If you augment that group with the right veterans on short-term deals and get a decent rookie in the draft, then next year you can throw dual max offers at a deeper free-agent class. But I'll believe it when I see it.
Friedell: Sell. The roster needs a lot of work. The best player on the team isn't well-liked by many of his coworkers. Most of all, the hand-picked coach, Fred Hoiberg, really struggled to give this group any kind of identity in his first season.
If they make a few good moves in the offseason, the Bulls might win an extra couple of games next year, but they are a long, long way from being in any kind of title contention.
Engelmann: Hold. The Bulls were two games above .500 the past season -- essentially average. Given that there are so many moving pieces and the direction of the team doesn't seem too obvious, the Bulls' remaining average three years down the line seems to be the safest bet.
Pelton: Hold. With Butler and Mirotic, I think the Bulls are well-positioned to pivot to a new era after the possible departures of stalwarts Gibson, Noah and Rose. Still, I'd like to know more about Hoiberg's NBA coaching ability and Butler's ability to lead a team offensively before committing to a buy recommendation.