Going into the NBA offseason, it looked like the Chicago Bulls were looking to blow up their current core and start over. They shipped native son Derrick Rose to New York and it looked like Jimmy Butler was next, with trade rumors reaching their height around draft time. Then something crazy happened: not only did the Bulls keep Butler, they signed 30-year-old veteran Rajon Rondo to replace Rose. Things got even crazier as Dwyane Wade, the face of Miami Heat basketball, left Miami for his hometown Chicago Bulls. Instead of rebuilding, the Bulls ended up retooling.
Chicago's new big three raises a bevy of questions. It looks like they've collectively decided to zig when the NBA has zagged. Led by the Warriors and Cavs, the NBA has been moving more and more towards a pace-and-space style of play that highlights three-point shooting and ball movement. The trio of Rondo, Butler, and Wade have shot a collective 29.7% from three for their careers (per Basketball Reference). The three are also ball-dominant players. At 31.8%, Wade had the fifth-highest usage rate in the league last season. Butler and Rondo weren't far behind with usage percentages of 24.4 and 18.8, respectively.
Acting as a primary ballhandler is one way to address shooting weaknesses which explain the high usage rates the three had for their teams last season. However, with these ball-dominant players on the same team, it's fair to wonder how well they'll be able to move the ball. That's not to knock to any of these three as passers. They have all shown the ability to make plays at an exceptional rate, especially in Rondo's case, but how effective will each of them be now that they're all likely to have the ball less?
Another concern is that the additions of Rondo and Wade will take the ball out of Butler's hands. At 27, Butler is not only the youngest of the three but the best and the only one still in his athletic prime. The Bulls chose him as their future over Derrick Rose. Even though Wade and Rondo have insisted that it's "Butler's team" this offseason, there's no guarantee they'll approach it that way once they step on the court this season.
Ultimately, the signing of two former All-Stars in their 30s shows that the Bulls are looking to contend for the immediate future. Questions of fit may persist throughout the season, but as the careers of Rondo, Wade, and Butler have shown us to this point, we know one thing for sure: it's gonna be fun to watch.
