CHICAGO BULLS OFF-SEASON REPORT: Bulls Will Be "Going Younger and More Athletic" Says GM Gar Forman

Denzel Valentine was introduced as a Chicago Bull on Monday, after which Chicago Bulls' GM Gar Forman answered questions.

His answers confirmed a lot of what Chicago Bulls fans had been hearing throughout the last few weeks.

Without using the exact word "rebuilding", Forman described that the Chicago Bulls would be "going younger, more athletic..."

Jimmy Butler may not be on the move at the moment, but the Chicago Bulls are in "restructuring" mode and looking to get "younger, more athletic".

Within the last 24 hours, rumors have surfaced that Chicago Bulls power forward Taj Gibson is available, with Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns being very interested in possibly adding him. Of course, the Minnesota Timberwolves, and new GM and president Tom Thibodeau, could be in the mix, as well, for Gibson's leadership, defense, and toughness.

Though a year late in retrospect, the Chicago Bulls have seen the light and begun the difficult process of moving on from a team with NBA Championship aspirations a few seasons ago, on to the difficult process of reconstruction.

However, there are bright spots. The man of the hour, Denzel Valentine, who was introduced to the media and who will sport Michael Jordan's alternate number, 45, might just be the right player at the right time for Chicago.

Denzel Valentine brings a versatile game that will be utilized on a "restructuring" Chicago Bulls team.

At Michigan State, Valentine finished with possibly the greatest single season any Spartan basketball player ever had, capping things off with Big Ten Player of the Year and AP Player of the Year honors in leading the Spartans win the Big Ten title.

He was the focal point of a Michigan State team that finished the year ranked #2 in the nation and which took on the top seeded Kansas Jayhawks, and won. Valentine had a Jordan-esque performance, putting up 29 pts, 12 reb, 12 ast in the process. This was one of two triple doubles the four-year player had on his way to 2015-16 averages of 19.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG, and 7.8 APG.

In addition, the Chicago Bulls potentially have two First Round draft picks in the totally stacked 2017 NBA Draft (their own and the Sacramento Kings pick (Top 10 Protected)). Additional picks could be had in potential deals for Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson that could give the Chicago Bulls a strong talent base to add to their already intriguing group of young players.

And with Jimmy Butler being all of 26 years old, the Chicago Bulls have the option to wait for the right deal in exchange for a young All-Star and one of the best two-way players in the NBA just entering his prime; the right deal being a package that would have to include a young player on the verge of stardom and at least, a draft pick.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are still the most likely destination for Butler, since they are one of the few teams that value Butler and also have the young talent and draft pick to exchange for him.

But Chicago must be patient enough for the right deal since their rebuilding effort will hinge on what they are able to get in return for their top player.

What do you think of the direction of the Chicago Bulls so far this off-season? Are you excited about the selection of Denzel Valentine? What should the Chicago Bulls' next move be? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Bulls Waste 42 Points and Jordan-esque Effort By Rose and Lose To Pacers In Overtime

INDIANAPOLIS, IN. This one is going to sting for a while for the self-critical NBA MVP leader Derrick Rose, although the truth is, what more can one man do?

On a night where the Bulls were without starter Carlos Boozer and the Bulls' usually deep bench shot a combined 9 for 28 (32%) from the field AND the Bulls went into the 4th quarter trailing by 16 points, the Bulls ended up having a chance to win this game.

After Michael Jordan sang his praises less than one week ago, presumptive NBA MVP Derrick Rose did his best homage to the NBA legend by taking over the fourth quarter for the languishing Bulls.

DRose poured in 19 points in the 4th quarter to force OT and matched his career-high with 42 points for the game.

With the Bulls looking up at a 16 point deficit to end the 3rd quarter, Rose knew it was time for him to take over. In Jordan-eque fashion, Rose scored 19 of the Bulls 29 points in the 4th quarter, including sinking 3 from the free throw line with 1.2 seconds remaining to tie the game up at 102 - 102, and force overtime.

It seems that Rose was spent from the effort as the Bulls were outscored in the overtime period 6 - 13 by Indiana. Rose scored 4 of the 6 points in OT to finish with 42 points, to tie his career high, along with 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block.

Luol Deng was the second highest scorer for the Bulls with 21 points on 7 of 18 shooting, but he shot a combined 0 for 5 from the field in the 4th quarter and overtime.

A lot of credit is due to the Indiana Pacers, who currently hold the 8th and final playoff spot in the East and who may have approached this as a statement game against the Bulls. Chicago, if they win the race for 1st place in the East, would then have to face the Pacers in the first round of the playoffs.

For now, the loss drops Chicago back into a statistical tie with Boston, pending the outcome of their matchup with the Houston Rockets tonight.