Despite losing to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2017 NBA playoffs, the Chicago Bulls decided it was finally time to blow up their roster and launch a full-scale rebuild.
In order to resupply their asset cupboard, the Bulls traded superstar swingman Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves, opening up playing time for the team's younger players.
One of those players is Cameron Payne who was acquired in a trade deadline deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2016-17 NBA season. The No. 14 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft was slotted to be the team's starting point guard next season, but according to Shams Charania of The Vertical, Payne will be sidelined to start the year:




Chicago Bulls guard Cameron Payne will undergo surgery on his right foot Wednesday and is expected to be sidelined until late November, league sources told The Vertical.
This is a tough blow for the young guard as he has struggled to stay on the floor due to foot injuries. When healthy, he has shown flashes of scoring and playmaking at the point guard position, but will now have to work to get back on to the court.
Payne's injury is unfortunate but does not change the fact that the Bulls will be one of the worst teams next year. While they are in a position to have a high lottery selection in next year's draft, Chicago will still struggle to compete with the rest of the NBA.