At 22-23 after a 1-1 back to back over the weekend, the Chicago Bulls remain the definition of mediocre in the NBA. A recent report from Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times is the latest bit of news to stir the bubbling pot of frustration within the organization. According to Cowley's sources, the Bulls front office is actively shopping Rajon Rondo and Nikola Mirotic "in hopes of bolstering the roster and making a second-half run in the wide-open Eastern Conference."
Here's what one of Cowley's sources had to say:
Who's Buying?
And what pieces, exactly, are Gar Forman and John Paxson expecting to receive for a washed up point guard and a streaky shooter who can't play defense? Which teams in the league would give the Bulls value in return for those two, in a way that significantly bolsters their roster to contend this season? So far, GarPax aren't generating much interest by dangling Rondo and Niko. Let me show you my shocked face.
Here's what one of Cowley's sources had to say:
‘‘Obviously, you knew that would be the case with Rondo. But [the Bulls] don’t like what they’re hearing back on [Mirotic], either. Then again, that’s a [front office] that tends to overvalue its assets.’’ - Joe Cowley's Unnamed SourceSpeaking of overvaluing their assets, GarPax must be disappointed by more than the weak offers for Rondo and Mirotic. As they watch their hand-picked coach Fred Hoiberg tinker with his rotation, the Bulls' recent first round picks are losing ground to afterthoughts like undrafted Cristiano Felicio and second round rookie Paul Zipser. Where is 2015's "steal" Bobby Portis? Where is the #14 overall pick from 2016 Denzel Valentine? How about Doug McDermott, whose inconsistency is so frustrating when you remember the Bulls gave up two first round picks to trade up for him in 2014. The younger guys on this roster just aren't very good, plain and simple. And that leads us to the part of Cowley's report that seemed to go largely unnoticed.
[USE ARROWS TO CONTINUE READING]
Not Impressed
Cowley's sources claim that star Jimmy Butler, who's also been named in recent trade rumors, isn't a believer in the current Bulls roster. Not surprisingly, however, the source didn't mention any of Butler's teammates by name."Although sources said Butler has expressed his displeasure with the roster to anyone in the front office who has asked in recent weeks, he’s not the type of guy to name names." - Joe CowleyThere you have it. Within closed doors, Jimmy is voicing his concerns about the roster to his bosses in the front office. Not only that, he's putting the onus on Gar and Paxson to fix it.
‘‘Jimmy’s attitude is [the front office is] paid to fix it, so fix it.’’ - Joe Cowley's Unnamed SourceGarPax's approval rating is at an all-time low among the Bulls' loyal fanbase, and it sounds like their franchise player is feeling equally unimpressed with their job performance. After his team's ugly loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, Butler lamented the inconsistency that's plagued them all season.
‘‘I take everything personal. I hate losing...Losing is something I don’t accept, we shouldn’t accept. We gotta go out and be better. But it’s just talk. No matter what we say, if we don’t go out there and do it, what the hell is talking about it going to do? We’ve been up and down like this all year.’’ - Jimmy Butler
