GM believes Bulls accomplished summer goals
A few weeks ago, Bulls general manager Gar Forman talked about wanting to get younger and more athletic this summer.
That goal took a curious turn with the addition of Rajon Rondo, 30, and Dwyane Wade, 34. But Forman also mentioned a previously unstated goal when taking questions Thursday at the Advocate Center.
"One of the goals will be, obviously, to have a group that works together more so," Forman said. "A year ago, I think it was splintered in some ways. I think we added some guys that will help us in that direction."
Sharing the ball seemed to be an important part of the Bulls' retooling plan. Rondo led the league in assists last season with 11.7 per game. Top draft pick Denzel Valentine was among the college leaders in assists as a forward.
In some ways, the Bulls' new lineup makes sense. In other ways, it's unconventional. There's a rising star in Jimmy Butler, an aging star in Wade and a point guard who hasn't found team success since leaving Boston.
"I think when you have good basketball players, they figure it out," Forman said. "I think we're bringing in guys that are pros, guys that are leaders, guys that have been a part of winning. That's encouraging to us."
When it comes to getting younger, Forman suggested the Bulls accomplished that goal because they haven't given up any of their young players or future draft picks this summer.
Forman mentioned a few times the Bulls weren't interested in doing a total rebuild. That part should have been obvious. Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf turned 80 earlier this year and has no interest in reliving the painful 1999-2004 rebuild.
"We want to be able to compete and put as good a product as we can on the floor. I think we've accomplished those things," Forman said. "One thing about developing a culture for these young players is we want them exposed to winning. We didn't want to rebuild where we become possibly a lower-level lottery team long-term."
Forman mentioned again how the Bulls felt it was important to maintain flexibility with their roster and payroll, so the team didn't want to get caught up in long, expensive contracts. Per NBA rules, though, free agents are limited to four-year deals when signing with a new team. Players can re-sign with their current team for five years.
The Bulls had Rondo in mind from the start, since he visited the Advocate Center on July 1. Forman wasn't allowed to talk about Wade, since he hasn't officially signed with the Bulls, but its probably safe to say the former Miami Heat star's availability was a mild surprise.
"It was such an unknown," Forman said. "When we sat up the in that meeting room day after day, we've got a bunch of scenarios on the board and we try to be prepared for any scenario that came our way. But we were going to be disciplined in what I'm talking about. That's why I said we wanted to keep young players and wanted to keep flexibility."
Rondo signed for a reported two years and $28 million. There's some sort of option on the second year, but neither Rondo nor Forman would clarify the contract.
Wade's deal was reported as two years for $47.5 million. If that's true, Wade's salary in the second year should be around $25 million. That number limits the Bulls' ability to sign free agents in 2017, but they could have around $34 million in cap space if Rondo doesn't return in 2017-18 and $20 million if he does, based on the most recent salary-cap projection.
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