Despite an eighth straight season at .500 or better, the Chicago Bulls missed the playoffs for the first time after seven consecutive years in the postseason. Another spate of injuries was ultimately too much to overcome with Joakim Noah going down for the year in mid-January, Derrick Rose missed time once again, Jimmy Butler was out more than a month, Mike Dunleavy missed the majority of the season, and various other Bulls missed a handful games here and there.

It wasn’t just injuries that ended the Bulls' run of success though. Fred Hoiberg came in with plans to remake the Bulls in his style and the results were mixed. The team had challenges changing from a defense-oriented, grind it out squad, to one that pushed pace a bit more and was more offensively focused. 

In the first year of his maximum extension, Butler showed his breakout season from the year before was no fluke. He carried a heavier load offensively, often functioning as the main playmaker, and was still able to score himself and maintained his typical good defense. Rose showed some signs of getting back to his pre-injury form by playing in his most games since his MVP season in 2011. He took it to the basket more often and relied less on his shaky jump shot. He’ll be 28 at the start of next season, entering his prime years and also coming into a contract year.

Young players like Doug McDermott and Bobby Portis also enjoyed good seasons. McDermott rebounded from his disastrous rookie campaign and showed why the Bulls traded up to draft him in 2014. He shot over 42% from three and played an efficient offensive game while developing into a key reserve. Portis flashed the athleticism, hustle and rebounding that made him a Summer League darling. He’s still limited on the offensive end and can look lost on defense, but it was a good debut. 

The development of McDermott and Portis is key for the Bulls, because, for the first time in ages, a frontcourt that was once the deepest in the league, will have some vacancies. Noah seems unlikely to return, and his days of playing 80 games and 30+ MPG are probably over. Pau Gasol, who is still performing at a very high level, appears to be moving on as well. That leaves the Bulls with Taj Gibson, who enjoyed his most efficient offensive season, and Nikola Mirotic, who tailed off while battling injuries of his own, in the frontcourt with Portis and McDermott. After years of solid depth, this is a position that bears watching for Chicago. Fortunately, there are several good options available in free agency that could fit like Roy Hibbert, Derrick Williams, Brandon Bass or Marvin Williams. Even natural SFs like Jared Dudley or Solomon Hill, that can play up as small ball PFs would make a nice fit. Hoiberg wants his bigs to be versatile and able to pass and shoot, so finding that fit is paramount over pure size. 

On the wing, Chicago seems fairly set with Butler and Dunleavy backed up by McDermott and Tony Snell, but they could use more depth as well. Veteran SGs like Wayne Ellington, Gerald Henderson, Kevin Martin, Eric Gordon, or Evan Turner could all be options. They would provide depth behind both Butler and Dunleavy and could spot start if/when injuries crop up again.

Finding a backup PG is a priority for the Bulls, given Rose’s troubles making it through an entire season. A return engagement for Kirk Hinrich or Aaron Brooks should never be counted out. Players like Norris Cole, Jordan Farmar and Ronnie Price are also potential additions, as all of them have started but are comfortable in a backup role. If Chicago wanted a different look entirely, they could take a chance on a shooter like Seth Curry. Even former starters like Ty Lawson, Brandon Jennings or Jeremy Lin could consider the Bulls and gamble they would be starting several games if Rose goes down once again.

Hoiberg inherited a roster that wasn’t built for the style he wants to play and was able to cobble together decent results. He’s seemingly in sync with the front office on the direction of the franchise, so this summer they should be making it a priority to move away from players tied to the old staff and getting pieces that are better fits for the future. In a system where versatility is stressed a premium will be placed on players who can handle the ball, shoot from distance, and pass the ball. Getting to the rim off isolation is an added benefit, but not a necessity as ball movement and cuts are designed to get looks at the basket. 

Compounding things beyond finding talent that fits the desired style better, is the Bulls somewhat messy cap situation. Rose is signed for over $21 million, which is a large figure even with a rising cap for a player you can’t count on to be available every night. Butler accounts for $17.5 million and he had some injury issues of his own last year. Investing almost $39 million in two players always comes with risks, particularly when they're especially injury prone. Tying up that kind of money makes it tricky to construct a roster in even the best of times. Even with the potential of removing Gasol and Noah from the books, the Bulls would still be left without enough space to make a major impact move.

Adding it all up, the Bulls seem likely to make moves that add undervalued pieces that fit Hoiberg’s system better and wait for another year for the cap situation to fully clean up, as opposed to making a big splash this summer. That may not sit well with a fan base accustomed to playing games in late April into May, but it seems the most prudent avenue to long term success. After next season, Rose and Gibson expire and Dunleavy can be let go for a minor guaranteed amount. This would allow Chicago to rebuild around Butler as the centerpiece of the franchise. If the Bulls are to get back on top, they need to keep the long view in mind. Making a questionable series of moves this offseason to salvage the last year of Rose’s run could yield a short term gain while harming the future. 

Offseason Details

Guaranteed Contracts (9): Jimmy Butler, Mike Dunleavy, Taj Gibson, Justin Holiday, Doug McDermott, Nikola Mirotic, Bobby Portis, Derrick Rose, Tony Snell

Partial/Non-Guaranteed Contracts (2): Cameron Bairstow, Cristiano Felicio

Potential Free Agents (4): Aaron Brooks (UFA), Pau Gasol (PO – UFA), E’Twaun Moore (UFA), Joakim Noah (UFA)

“Dead” Money on Cap (0): None

First Round Draft Picks (as of 5/2/16): # 14

Maximum Cap Space: $26,097,124 

Projected Cap Space: None. $11,053,540 over