The Bulls have officially determined that they don’t need Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler. Officially. Those injured washed-up scrublords have been replaced in the rotation by players who are superior in both current play and potential future play: E’Twaun Moore and Doug McDermott.
Chicago is still looking for a third star to put around these two dynamos (Cristiano Felicio??????), but for now, things are looking up for a franchise which has wandered eternally in the desert since MJ left and actually didn’t come right back. The playoffs are definitely in play for this season, and while a championship is probably not, getting these young studs some experience in high-intensity situations will only further their development. Jimmy and Derrick will have to be content to come off the bench and serve a veteran mentorship role.