Apr 23, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) talks with Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg during the second half in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

The Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers are an example of the current status of the NBA. Will the Chicago Bulls adapt or remain status quo?

The NBA is in the era of the superteam.

The superteam era began in the mid-2000s when the Boston Celtics acquired Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to be teamed with Paul Pierce in their quest for a championship. In response to the Boston Celtics, the Miami Heat continued the superteam in 2010 when Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh joined forces in South Beach.

James eventually left the Miami Heat and returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Shortly after the homecoming of Jame, the Cavaliers turned into a superteam with the acquisition of Kevin Love. Love, James, and Kyrie Irving became the latest and most current superteam in the Eastern Conference.

Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors took note of the superteam approach. That would be why, last summer, the Warriors signed Kevin Durant to align with Steph Curry and Draymond Green.

Given the current structure of the NBA and the expected raise in the salary cap, the NBA has fully entered the superteam era. If an NBA team has the intentions of contending for the championship, then they need to embrace the superteam concept.

That would bring us to the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls, since the superteam concept began in the mid-2000s, have shied away from creating a superteam. The Bulls have had their chances to create a superteam, most notably in 2010 when Wade and James had their sights on signing with the Bulls but the organization did not appear to be fully prepared for such moves.

The closest the Bulls have ever come to being a superteam was last summer when they signed Wade and Rajon Rondo to align with Jimmy Butler. But with Wade and Rondo getting further from their prime with each passing day, the Bulls idea of a superteam did not match the definition of a superteam that has been established across NBA circles.

If the Bulls are going to ever contend in the current structure of the NBA, then the team will need to embrace the superteam concept. However, with the front office determined to rebuild with youth while also contending, that idea of a superteam in Chicago may only be a pipedream.