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Chicago Bulls: There’s no relief in sight, as the long rebuild continues

By Wentreal Holland II

Chicago Bulls John Paxson (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)at the United Center on April 13, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the 76ers 115-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Chicago Bulls John Paxson (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)at the United Center on April 13, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the 76ers 115-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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If one thing was clear at the NBA Trade Deadline for the Chicago Bulls, it’s that there’s no relief in sight as the team continues to rebuild

The Chicago Bulls, for all intents and purposes, are one of the most storied franchises in NBA history as they are tied for third with six championships with the Golden State Warriors and have arguably the greatest player ever in Michael Jordan.

But the days of winning champions are long in the rear view as the team hasn’t made back to the NBA Finals in over 20 years with little to no hope in sight for that streak to end. I wanted to take a look at the current moves the team made at the trade deadline and how that hope to shape the roster moving forward for the rest of this season and going into next.

The Bulls took a chance on hometown kid and former No. 2 overall draft pick Jabari Parker last off-season, signing the former Buck to a two-year worth $40 million with a team option for the second season. The experiment was a complete failure with Parker only playing 39 games in a Bulls jersey, with 17 games started.

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Right before the NBA Trade Deadline, the Bulls decided to change course and traded Parker, along with Bobby Portis, to the Washington Wizards for 26-year-old Otto Porter Jr., who comes with a very large contract.

Porter is due to make $27.2 million next season, and has a $28.5 million player option for the season after that. That’s a max salary for a player who is a career 10 points per game player, and this season is scoring 12 points per contest. In his debut for the Bulls Friday night vs. Brooklyn, Porter produced 18 points in a road victory. His counter parts in Washington had a night to remember as Portis scored 30 points and Parker approached a near triple-double with seven points, 11 rebounds, nine assists and even came up with three steals in a win over the Cavs.

Chicago stated in their press confernece (after making the deadline trade) that they felt Porter was a great fit for the team at the small forward position, and would be a great complement to Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen.

It felt the Bulls view this pairing as their own version of a big three moving forward and hopes to evaluate guard Kris Dunn and where he fits with the team moving forward. The team announced that they are pleased with Coach Boylen and he will serve as head coach going into next season. We will see how much the teams improves as we are in the back half of the season and going into the draft they are currently 13-43 which is the fourth worst record in the entire league.

Under Boylen, they are currently 8-24 and have a tough stretch of games heading into the All-Star break and after with little hope in sight.

The question remains now, where do the Bulls head from here as we finish out the remaining games this season? The hope around the city, and from John Paxson and Gar Forman, is the rebuild is still on the right schedule. The Bulls won’t be a major player this off-season in free agency but will look to add draft picks as teams look to dump salary.

The main hope is the NBA Draft Lottery as the Bulls currently have a great opportunity to land a top four pick but for them the hope has to be getting their hands on a top three pick with Duke teammates Zion Williamson and R.J. Barrett along, with Murray State guard Ja Morant.

This is relatively a top heavy draft with three potential players that could change the direction of a franchise.

But the Bulls’ problems go far beyond the roster of players that take the floor. From the top of the organization down to the bottom, they have to find some type of direction. I find it hard to believe that Jim Boylen is the long-term answer as the team’s head coach. His style of play just doesn’t flow with the game as it is played today with him saying that he doesn’t like the 3-point shot.

Related Story. NBA Power Rankings: Raptors, Bucks, 76ers make big moves at the trade deadline. light

With Paxson and Gar heading the organization, the fans are getting fed up and have even bought ad space on a billboard not far from the United Center with a hashtag that read #FireGarPax. The fans are getting tired of the same old speech from the Chicago Bulls and are ready for action, and more importantly wins.

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