The Chicago Bulls may target Dwyane Wade as a free agent if the Miami Heat star opts out of his contract this summer, while the main priority for Fred Hoiberg and the front office is to sign Jimmy Butler back to a max contract in free agency and this comes as Taj Gibson could be a trade target on the block with Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol as the starters up front.
The Bulls fired Tom Thibodeau after losing to the Cavaliers in the playoffs and now the team has Fred Hoiberg in on a five year deal. The team has Jimmy Butler as their main priority in free agency, as he is set to be a restricted free agent and is in line for a big extension. Butler emerged as the best player for the Bulls this season while Derrick Rose was injured and he set career highs across the board while winning the most improved player award.
According to USA Today, Butler said in an interview that his intention is to stay with the Bulls and that he is "happy to be here," referring to his time in Chicago. The team has to pay up obviously and there is a chance that another team could give him a big offer sheet, but all signs point to the Bulls keeping Butler. The team has Rose's contract and others on the cap and that could lead to some trade moves to ensure that Butler stays long term.
The Chicago Tribune reported last week that Taj Gibson could be on the trade block this offseason, as he is making over $8 million in each of the next two seasons. Gibson has been a solid player for the Bulls, but with Pau Gasol playing at a high level and young forward Nikola Mirotic stepping up, there may not be much room for Gibson moving forward. Joakim Noah is in at center and is one of the best defensive players in the league and with those three performing well, Gibson could be the odd man out and the Tribune reports that the team likely will explore a trade this summer.
The Miami Heat and Dwyane Wade have been dealing with a contract dispute and there is a chance that he could opt out this summer. According to the Miami Herald, the Heat and Wade have not been able to agree on compensation moving forward, as the team does not want to be hamstrung financially in the coming years. The team has to sign Goran Dragic back and they also have Kevin Durant as a future dream target and Hassan Whiteside due a contract on the horizon. According to Bleacher Report, Wade could opt out and hit the market and if that happens, the Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers, Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers could be potential landing spots.
The Bulls tried to add more offensive help last summer with Carmelo Anthony and now they could try and go after Wade if he opts out. Butler is the future for the Bulls and the team will continue building around him and if they make a trade with Gibson, the next major move could be upgrading on the offensive side of things.