New-look Bulls pass first test in overtime win vs. Suns

Dwyane Wade prefers to deal in frank talk.

So when he was asked Friday if the team was worse after the trade deadline, there was little hesitation in his reply.

“We’re [29-29],’’ Wade said. “It’s not like we’re 40-and-something.

“The [new] guys are going to come in, they’re going to have to plug in and do their job and do what they can for this team. It will be different than what Taj [Gibson] brought and what Doug [McDermott] brought. From that standpoint, yeah, we’re going to miss those guys.’’

Over the remaining 24 games in the regular season? Definitely. Against an 18-40 Suns team at the United Center? Not so much.

Thanks to Wade and Jimmy Butler taking over the game late, the Bulls overcame a 13-point deficit to beat the Suns 128-121 in overtime.

Wade scored 10 of his 23 points in overtime, while Butler added seven of his 22. But it was Butler who helped get the game to overtime, nailing a three-pointer to tie the score with 48.2 seconds left, and then a 13-foot fadeaway with 9.1 seconds left.

Devin Booker had a chance to give the Suns the lead with 1.5 second left but missed his third free throw after he was fouled by Wade on a three-pointer.

Nikola Mirotic scored 20 points, while Rookie Denzel Valentine chipped in with 15 points.

And as far as the players acquired from Oklahoma City, Anthony Morrow and Joffrey Lauvergne didn’t play, and point guard Cameron Payne was inactive with an illness.

Coach Fred Hoiberg said he still was not sure how quickly they would be worked in but was excited to start the process.

So was Payne, who was the main piece in the deal for the Bulls.

“Especially because I’m a point guard, I have to learn so much,” Payne said. “And defensive-wise, I’ve only been on one side of the spectrum. I’ve only been with the Thunder all my career, so coming over here, it’s going to be something new. I feel like I can pick up on it fast. I’m going to be ready to listen.”

For another day

It wasn’t lost on Wade that general manager Gar Forman and vice president of basketball operations John Paxson now are stressing “the process of getting younger.”

The 35-year-old was asked if he felt like the front office even wanted him back next year, especially since Wade controls the option.

“I don’t know, I haven’t had that conversation about next season with the guys,” Wade said.

“I think we all understood when I came here I signed a two-year deal with a one-year option, and both sides wanted it that way. And when the time came, no matter the teammates I had and the season we had, it was going to be my option. I take my option seriously.”

Another jersey flap

Michael Carter-Williams took jersey No. 1 when he was acquired from the Bucks in training camp, but he quickly switched to No. 7 after he heard negative feedback from fans who associate that number with Derrick Rose.

Morrow wore No. 1 on Friday but tweeted after the game that he, too, would switch numbers after hearing similar feedback.

Payne will wear No. 22, last worn by Gibson.