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Last week, the Chicago Bulls traded the one-time league MVP Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks for a package headlined by Robin Lopez. They couldn't demand more because Rose would be labeled as damaged goods if he was sold at a supermarket.
Until now, we hadn't heard former backcourt partner Jimmy Butler‘s thoughts on the transaction.
Recently, Butler was on ESPN's the Jump where he shared his thoughts on the trade:
“I wasn't surprised. I knew it had to be one of us.”
After the Bulls underachieved and missed the playoffs last season for the first time in eight years, change should have been expected.
It's obvious that Butler and Rose knew that one of them wouldn't be in Chicago next season. It was a matter of the Bulls choosing between loyalty to Rose or greener pastures with Butler. They decided to go younger with the more reliable option, knowing they are going to enter a rebuild phase.
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Butler also stated that there is no animosity between them, saying “I have so much respect for the guy. I have no bad things to say about him.”
This seems like only the beginning of major moves the Bulls plan on making this summer. But with Butler now face of the Bulls franchise, what exactly will they do moving forward? Will they go full rebuild or attempt to do a quick reload of the roster? Or is it possible they decide to trade Butler as well for more draft picks and assets?
On top of those questions, both Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol are reported to be on their way out. We don't know yet for sure, but everything will unfold within these next few months before training camps begin.
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