After all that, the Bulls actually did get younger. General manager Gar Forman drew some sceptical reactions in the wake of the Derrick Rose trade by claiming he wanted the Bulls to get younger and more athletic and then promptly signing free agents Rajon Rondo, 30, and Dwyane Wade, who will turn 35 in January.
But the Bulls, who had little indication Wade would be available at the start of free agency, will enter training camp with 10 players 25 or younger, compared with five last season. They also have just three players in Rondo, Wade and Taj Gibson who are 30 or older as opposed to six last season.
And the Bulls will feature 10 players with three years or less NBA experience as opposed to six last season.
Whether the Bulls are more athletic remains to be seen and is contingent largely on player development. But the younger roster makes the additions of serious-minded professionals Rondo and Wade all the more essential.
Both veterans already have flashed their leadership skills by going out of their way to proclaim the Bulls to be Jimmy Butler’s team. And Wade made clear he will continue to serve as a mentor.
“I feel it’s our duty as veteran players to give that knowledge back to the next generation so this game can continue to be as amazing and great as it is. So I do that,” Wade said. “I do that with not only my teammates, I do that with other guys around the league. I work out with guys if they want to work out with me. I talk to guys throughout the year via text message.
“These young guys on the team, I’m going to give them the knowledge that I’ve learned. They can take it for what it’s worth, but I’m going to give it to them no matter what. I’m a leader and that’s all I know how to do.”
Butler appreciated Wade’s comment, even if he downplayed it after Team USA’s exhibition victory against Venezuela on Friday night at the United Center.
“Is it my team? I guess two of the three alphas have said that,” Butler said, referencing Rondo’s three alphas comment that also tabbed Butler as the leader. “You won’t hear me say that.
“But I’m liking that role as a leader. That’s a lot of pressure. I want that. It’s only going to make me better.”
Wade, who cited Shaquille O’Neal as essential in his growth as a young player, said he already has talked to Doug McDermott and Bobby Portis. But it can’t be overstated how important Wade’s presence can be in the continued maturation of Butler, who has vowed to improve as a leader after some rocky moments last season.
“I’ve played against Jimmy,” Wade said. “I’ve seen him since Marquette. I have a feel for how his game is. He’s a competitor. But as a teammate, I don’t know everything yet. So first of all, I have to learn the way Jimmy works. I need to know when he wakes up, when he goes to sleep. I need all that information.
“I hope Jimmy has an unlimited (texting) plan as he’s travelling around the world. Because I’m going to be texting him and continue to try to build this camaraderie before we even get to training camp, make sure us three as leaders are on the same page (for) what we need to do to be successful.”
Most organizations experience smooth sailing in the offseason. Wade’s arrival still carries with it the excitement of a fresh start. But the new-look Bulls are younger and promise to be intriguing.
Ultimately, the won-lost record will determine whether the moves worked.
“They didn’t have to give up any young pieces and they still have flexibility to continue to make this team better (next offseason),” Wade said. “So this whole signing, experiment, whatever you want to call it – it’s a win-win for me, a win-win for the Chicago Bulls organization. It’s a win-win for Chicago, period.”