Bulls' front office has drawn line in sand on Dwyane Wade’s future

Bulls’ front office has drawn line in sand on Dwyane Wade’s future

By Joe Cowley

The Bulls acquired three new players after trading Jimmy Butler to the Timberwolves.

The cleanup is ongoing for the Bulls. And shovels are required.

On the same day vice president of basketball operations John Paxson and general manager Gar Forman marched out coach Fred Hoiberg and their ‘‘change of direction,’’ they still were dealing with questions about their sustained failure as a front office.

Guards Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn and first-round draft pick Lauri Markkanen were introduced Tuesday, less than a week after being acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves for a package that included three-time All-Star Jimmy Butler.

There was talk about ‘‘attacking the day,’’ ‘‘new opportunity’’ and ‘‘high-character guys.’’ But for the Bulls’ rebuild to really gain traction, they will be looking to land a top-three pick in the 2018 draft and will have to figure out what to do with veteran guards Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo.

The Sun-Times reported last week that Wade will seek a buyout from the Bulls after exercising his $23.8 million player option for the 2017-18 season. But Paxson tried to make it clear that Wade is in no position to have that wish granted.

‘‘I know Gar has spoken to Leon Rose, Wade’s agent,’’ Paxson said. ‘‘And as far as a buyout . . . I will say this: In this type of scenario, it would have to benefit us. It would absolutely have to benefit us.

‘‘Dwyane was a great pro last year, and he’s been around a lot of different situations. He was around Miami when they had a couple of rebuilding years, as well, so right now we’re operating under the assumption that he’ll be here. But, like I said, if [a buyout] is ever broached by them, then it would have to be advantageous for us.’’

Wade has yet to address his standing with the Bulls publicly, but he has made it clear to several close to the organization that a true rebuild — especially if the Bulls want to do it properly — would be better served without him.

It will come down to how much ‘‘advantageous’’ will cost. Could the Bulls negotiate a buyout of $20 million to part ways with Wade? Do Paxson and Forman want to gamble on keeping Wade and possibly have him poison the water for the young core? After all, Wade had no problem taking swings at the young Bulls last season, questioning their work ethic and devotion to their craft.

As for Rondo, the Bulls would have to buy him out for $3 million this week, making him a free agent. Paxson tiptoed around that decision, saying: ‘‘Well, that is still to be determined. As far as Rajon, we told you how highly we think of him. Zach and Rajon share the same agent. Bill Duffy is here, so we’re going to sit down with Bill and talk it through.

‘‘We do understand that veterans are important for a young basketball team — the right veterans. The guys that are good teammates are supportive of the young guys and continue to teach them how to be pros. So those are things that we’ll be addressing.’’

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Email: jcowley@suntimes.com