The Bulls will enter a world with a significantly lower amount of market flexibility if Dwyane Wade does in fact accept the 2017-18 player option that’s on the table for him next season. The likelihood of trading Jimmy Butler may be deflated. The odds of moving up in the draft will be thrown out the window.
What’s evident is the $23.8 million salary for a guy who caused more problems than he solved last season. The investment in Wade, in addition to the investment in Rajon Rondo, signaled a turn towards contention. While the two-year contracts made the window appear short, it was supposed to be open.