Apr 2, 2017; New Orleans, LA, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg speaks to an official against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Despite chants of “fire Hoiberg” raining down from the rafters at the United Center during the Chicago Bulls’ season ending loss to the Boston Celtics in game six of the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs, Fred Hoiberg‘s job is safe in the Windy City.
Bulls general manager Gar Forman and vice president of basketball operations John Paxson confirmed as much during a season-ending press conference on Wednesday.
As previously reported, Hoiberg will be back.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) May 3, 2017
Pax: “From ownership down, we’re committed to working through issues we face. Gar and I are committed to reshaping roster with discipline.”
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) May 3, 2017
Gar: Tough on Fred to have so many young players. They need opportunity to learn and grow.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) May 3, 2017
The Bulls went 41-41 in Hoiberg’s second season at the helm while earning the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. Chicago won the first two games of the first round series against Boston before losing four straight after point guard Rajon Rondo suffered a wrist injury that held him out after game two.
The Bulls struggled to find an identity all season with an oddly constructed roster led by Jimmy Butler, Dwayne Wade and Rondo. Now, the priority for Forman and Paxson will be to reshape that roster into something capable of competing in the Eastern Conference moving forward.
Butler, a three-time All-Star, is entering the third season of a five-year contract extension he signed before the 2015-16 season. He has a player option for the 2019-2020 season, which he will most likely decline making him a free agent in the summer of 2019.
Forman and Paxson also confirmed they are likely to bring back Rondo despite his struggles to solidify a role on the team for most of the season. Wade said last week he will likely pick up his player option for next season and return to the team.
The Bulls are also expected to bring back Nikola Mirotic, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Needless to say, a number of questions surround the Bulls’ roster, but at least Hoiberg knows for sure his job is safe entering the offseason.
