NBA Rumors: Chicago Bulls Jimmy Butler trade Talks Ongoing; Joakim Noah, Derrick Rose Secure Jobs

By Mitch de Leon
Joakim Noah
The Chicago Bulls are urged by experts to trade for Joakim Noah. Flickr/Keith Allison/CC

The Chicago Bulls fell from an NBA favorite for the Eastern Conference Finals against LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers to being one of the worst teams in the league. Boasting of a roster that features Jimmy Butler, Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, Nikola Mirotic and Pau Gasol, the failure of the NBA team to reach the NBA playoffs 2016 is devastating to fans. Hence, it comes as no surprise when news broke that the current roster will be taken apart by the Chicago Bulls front office.

One of the first questions that popped into the minds of the fans is the future of Jimmy Butler with the team. Initially hailed as the new leader following the injuries to Derrick Rose, fans, later on, found that Butler miscalculated his skills in the hardwood court. That is, the 26-year-old Texan failed to meet the expectation he set for himself. Under his leadership, the Chicago Bulls saw themselves losing to the likes of the New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns, Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers.

"I think it starts with myself," Butler said when asked about the future of the Chicago Bulls following their failed NBA playoffs 2016 bid. He added, "If I can make this team win, and do whatever it takes every single night, I can take it."

Rumors are rife that Butler will no longer be with the Chicago Bulls by the next NBA season. While the front office remains mum on the issue, it looks like the point guard is still positive about the possibility of playing with the Taj Gibson squad by next year. Amid his humble admission of his failures, Butler hinted at his desire to remain with the Chicago Bulls.

He shared, "I put it on my shoulders, I'm the reason we didn't make the playoffs. And I'm fine with that. I'm not happy with it but I'm fine with it. Because it's only gonna make me stronger, make me better. Moving forward, I have to be able to make us win enough games to be able to make the playoffs."

Meanwhile, both injury prone players, Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, appear to have secured their jobs for next season. For Rose, the security comes from his remaining year with the NBA team. As for Noah, it looks like the general feeling of his presence in the locker room and hardwood court contribute greatly to his tenure with the Chicago Bulls.

"You can understand the Bulls' preference to keep Noah around, though," shared James Herbert of CBS Sports. He added, "As well as being a front-office favorite, he's been popular among Chicago fans because of his intensity on the court and his work in the community. He's the sort of personality you want in the locker room, and the last time he was fully healthy for a season, he won Defensive Player of the Year and finished fourth in MVP voting."

At the moment, nothing is truly certain for the Chicago Bulls. Rumors are circulating that Pau Gasol wants to get out of the team, targeting the San Antonio Spurs as his next destination. No reported takers have surfaced for the troubled Jimmy Butler. Injured stars Taj Gibson, Joakim Noah and Nikola Mirotic have yet to share their plans. 

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