John Paxson says the Bulls are willing to work with Dwyane Wade on a buyout

The Chicago Bulls front office made it a goal to get younger and build their team around Jimmy Butler just a few years ago.

But instead, the team brought in veterans Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade as their big offseason moves in 2016. They then proceeded to trade Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves for a package involving Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine and rookie Lauri Markkanen.

With the Bulls in full rebuild mode, the speculation arose that Wade would want a buyout from his contract allowing him to be a free agent.

That buyout could come soon as John Paxson joined the Mully & Hanley show Thursday to talk about the situation.

Paxson said he understood Wade’s situation and if that’s the path he wants to go down, the Bulls are ready to work with him.

“We understand where he is at this time of his career,” Paxson said on the Mully and Hanley Show on 670 The Score. We’re more than willing to work with him.”

Wade picked up his $23.8 million option on June 20th, two nights before the Bulls sent Butler to the Timberwolves in the trade.

At 35 Wade doesn’t have many years left in the league so winning has to be a priority for him now. With this current Bulls rebuild, the team won’t be ready to win with Wade still on this roster.

It’s a move that makes sense for both sides, giving Wade a chance to chase a ring while more playing time can be allocated to younger talent on the roster.

The Bulls will begin training camp on Monday and Wade is expected to report.