Should Chicago Bulls make a change at the top and other questions

No need for the Chicago Bulls to rest their stars. They were given a late-season break by the NBA schedule-maker, with three days off before hosting Cleveland on Thursday.

So while the Bulls bask in the glory of their surprising 109-94 victory Sunday at Milwaukee, this is a good time to answer Twitter questions from readers.

Q: When will the Bulls change management? @Many, many readers

A: OK, this seems to be a popular query in Bulls Nation, and I'm glad you asked. Since Jerry Krause stepped down in 2003, the Bulls have been run by some combination of John Paxson and Gar Forman.

There have been years when Paxson was in charge, more recent years when Forman was in charge, but now they seem to be a tandem again.

For those who want the Bulls to make a change, I'd say at least consider the history. When Paxson took over, he managed to end the rebuilding futility and make the playoffs in his second full season on the job.

When that group ran its course and the Ben Wallace signing didn't work out, the Bulls got a huge injection of luck by adding Derrick Rose, and Paxson/Forman built a 62-win team around him. Imagine if Rose hadn't been injured and the Bulls could have plugged Jimmy Butler into the hole at shooting guard.

OK, so now that team ran its course.

The Bulls moved on from Rose, Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol, and are basically in the midst of another retooling. Do you trust Paxson/Forman to build a playoff team for a third time, or do you want to start over with someone new?

There are plenty of reasons to criticize the current regime. They haven't been perfect, and I'd point to the firing of assistant coach Ron Adams as the worst moment, because that's when pettiness took precedence over winning.

Given the overall track record, though, I have a hard time saying Paxson and Forman need to be fired. I'd also say their jobs seem fairly secure right now because there has been a good history of success.

Q: What should be the plan this off-season? Who are we keeping and who goes? @PJBromwich

A: My feeling is the Bulls will head into the summer hoping to add some veterans and pare down the current list of rookies and sophomores. Nothing is set in stone, but I think most likely Dwyane Wade returns and Rajon Rondo doesn't.

The Bulls probably are open to bringing back Nikola Mirotic at the right price, but he's a restricted free agent and if some team makes a large offer, they'll probably let him walk.

Things could change with the younger guys, depending on trade opportunities, but they probably fit into two camps right now.

More likely to stay: Denzel Valentine, Cristiano Felicio, Paul Zipser, Cameron Payne, Bobby Portis. More likely to go: Jerian Grant, Michael Carter-Williams, Isaiah Canaan. Who knows? Joffrey Lauvergne.

Q: What is Denzel Valentine's true upside, if any? I think he can be really good if he improves his pick-and-roll game. @mlenon1

A: Valentine is a work in progress, obviously, but there are some encouraging signs. For one, he has used the 3-point shot to make himself a useful player and earn court time. He appears to be a hard worker and is liked by his teammates.

That's a good start. The downside when he was drafted was relatively poor athleticism.

That part can be downplayed if he can add more of the passing and ballhandling he showed in college. Hard to see him as an all-star, but he could be a valuable part of the rotation real soon.

Q: How is Fred Hoiberg still included in the future? @SGTOC32

A: It's pretty simple: The Bulls telegraphed their interest in Hoiberg while he was still coaching Iowa State. He has a smart agent, who used that leverage to coax a five-year deal from the Bulls. This is Year 2.

It's tough to imagine a scenario where Hoiberg isn't back for the start of next season.

If the Bulls still are struggling by midseason, then it might be realistic to expect a change. After two years on the job, maybe Hoiberg will be ready to succeed with a presumably improved roster.

Q: Will Paxson lose a power struggle with the other decision-makers regarding Butler? @paulconner33

A: I've said all along I expect Butler to stay. The Bulls' organizational goals are to be a competitive team and lead the NBA in attendance. An all-out rebuild doesn't really fit those goals and, in the one-and-done era, I don't think it's smart for a team to sink to the bottom unless it has no other choice.

Q: Do they plan on signing decent big names this summer or go for draft picks and trades? @calebcline12

A: I think they'll try to improve the roster while being conservative with the cap space. This is probably not the summer to go after a big name, but the Bulls might be eyeing a splash for 2018 after Wade's contract comes off the books.

Q: Who are you more optimistic about for next season, the Bulls' roster or the Kings' roster? @nightangelqt

A: Is this a serious question? It's tough to feel good about the Kings' roster because they don't have many promising young players to show for all those lottery picks. Buddy Hield is a start.

Q: Which players in the Final Four would the Bulls like to have? In house

A: All those hyped freshmen expected to be at the top of the draft were knocked out. North Carolina's 6-foot-8 Josh Jackson seems to be the consensus highest pick in the Final Four. He averaged 18.2 points this season, is from Jimmy Butler's hometown of Tomball, Texas, and is projected to go No. 12 by draftexpress.com.

But there are a lot of guys who could rise into the first round. South Carolina SG Sindarius Thornwell and Oregon SG Tyler Dorsey both are averaging 25 points in the tournament.

Oregon's Jordan Bell and Dillon Brooks, Gonzaga's Nigel Williams-Goss and South Carolina's P.J. Dozier are potential second-rounders who could improve their stock.

• Follow Mike's Bulls reports on Twitter @McGrawDHBulls.