The Chicago Bulls' moves in this offseason indicate that the franchise is preparing to enter a rebuilding phase. 

They decided to trade All-Star Jimmy Butler on draft night to the Minnesota Timberwolves for a collection of young talents such as Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn. 

They also drafted Finnish big man Lauri Markannen with the lottery pick they acquired from the T-Wolves in that deal. 

They will feature on a young roster that also contains Cameron Payne, Jerian Grant, Justin Holiday, Bobby Portis, Denzel Valentine and Paul Zipser. 

One of the main aspects of the Bulls' rebuilding is focused on the 2018 draft and they're hoping to become a lottery team next year in order to put themselves in the best possible position to select some of the top draft prospects.

With that in mind, it appears Chicago has made a decision to part ways with veteran Dwyane Wade. 

According to ESPN's Nick Friedell, "Dwyane Wade isn't long for the organisation's future and is expected to reach a buyout agreement at some point in the next few months."

The 35-year-old opted into his contract this summer and is due to earn $24 million, a sum he is likely to want a large chunk of in any buyout agreement. 

As soon as Butler was shipped to Minnesota, rumours of Wade's potential buyout was doing the rounds and it won't come as a huge surprise to many that it is close to happening. 

Once the three-time champion clears waivers he'll be eligible to sign for any team, apart from the Bulls, as an unrestricted free agent. 

At his age, D.Wade is clearly not interested in seeing out the final years of his career as part of a rebuilding team and so the move makes sense for both parties and should be concluded amicably. 

If and when the buyout is reached there will be a clamour for the 12-time All-Star's signature, who averaged 18.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 60 games last season, his first campaign outside of Miami.

A potential reunion with his close friend and former teammate LeBron James will be a realistic possibility in Cleveland, but he can certainly expect multiple offers to choose from.

If he wants an opportunity to play for another championship, a move to the Cavaliers would make sense as they're almost destined to make the Finals once again. 

The former Miami Heat star's return to his hometown of Chicago didn't go as well as he'd hoped but he could still possibly end the final chapter of his career on a high.