Think of the future, not the present. This is the current mindset of Bulls executive John Paxson and GM Gar Forman. The Bulls front office made a bold move on Jan. 7th by trading one of his best and most consistent players, Luol Deng, to division rival the Cleveland Cavaliers.  In return for Deng, the Bulls received  three draft picks and the contract of known troublemaker Andrew Bynum. The Bulls then dropped Andrew Bynum before they owed him the non-guaranteed 6.3 million dollars of his contract.

This is such an ingenious trade for the Bulls for many reasons.  First of all, Luol Deng is in the last year of his contract.  If they decided not to trade him, then he would become a free agent after this year.  On the bulls budget, they probably wouldn’t be able to sign Deng to a new deal.  Speaking in terms of dollar signs, with the departure of Deng, and the departure of Bynum via waivers, the Bulls will finally be under the league’s salary cap.  This means that the Bulls won’t have to pay a tax for being over the cap.  With the inevitable departure of expensive Carlos Boozer, the Bulls will be in excellent shape to make moves in the future.

Now, lets talk the most important piece of this trade: three draft picks.  These are the important building blocks in making a strong, contending team.  With many promising stars waiting in college basketball, the Bulls could be a force to reckon with in the coming years.

Some people say that the Bulls need Luol Deng to keep the Bulls contending in the Easter Conference.  Even the casual NBA fan knows that to accomplish an NBA title, Chicago has to slay the mighty Miami Heat.  The Bulls don’t have what it takes even WITH Luol Deng.  They have proven that in the past two years.  The Bulls may have what it takes however if they use the acquired draft picks wisely.

Luol Deng is a good player, there is no denying that.  However, the 28-year old has struggled with Achilles injuries this year.  Why would they hold on for just this year, so they can just get blown out by the Heat in the playoffs.  This is why you need to think practically Bulls fans.  Soon enough a Championship banner will be raised in the rafters of the United Center.