They brought in a new influx of talent in Carlos Boozer, C.J. Watson, Ronnie Brewer, Kyle Korver and watched the blossoming of Derrick Rose into a certified superstar.
But that being said, this team relied far too heavily on Derrick Rose. While he rarely let them down, it's a miracle they got as far as they did without a legitimate shooting guard and very little help for him. Their biggest need this offseason will be to find a shooting guard to fill that void. But with nothing much coming off the books, it'll be hard for the Bulls to make moves
Restricted
none
Unrestricted
Rasual Butler
Kurt Thomas
Brian Scalibrine
Outside of the need for a ginger on the team, I don't suspect the BulOMls to bring anyone back, leaving them with about $3.4 million free, but Noah will have a 7 million dollar pay raise. Therefore, the team won't have a lot of cap room.
(Note: All trades were created in NBA Trade Machine and work financially
Trades
Bulls get - Rip Hamilton
Pistons get - Kyle Korver, Omer Asik, C.J. Watson
I can't imagine the Bulls don't at least inquire about Rip Hamilton. By all accounts, he'll be available and no team is in more need for a shooting guard than the Bulls. They won't be giving a lot up as Korver was nothing more than a 3-point shooter and Asik and Watson are replacable.
If the Bulls can get Hamilton, I'd consider them the favorites for the title next year
Bulls get - Monta Ellis, #44 pick
Warriors get - Kyle Korver, Taj Gibson, Ronnie Brewer, #28 and #30 pick
It'd take a lot to get Ellis and I'd suspect some picks would be involved here, but this might be an even better trade than the Hamilton one. Although I haven't heard his name mentioned in connection with the Bulls, I would be surprised if they didn't at least call about him.
Ellis gives them a prolific scorer and can even be a ball-handler to take the pressure off Rose. This might be their best-case scenario for the off-season
Bulls get - Ray Allen
Celtics get - Kyle Korver, Ronnie Brewer, Omer Asik, #28 pick
I realize I'm regurgitating the same players, but these are about the only tradable assets the team has. If they can get Ray Allen and give them some youth, it'd be perfect for them. He's the veteran who can come in and make the big play that the team had to rely so much on Rose for this season
Free Agents
Jason Richardson - He's going to ask for more than I think the Bulls can afford, but if he's willing to take a pay cut, this team would become a great team. They are a SG like this away from a title.
Michael Redd - A lot riskier pick, but maybe a lot more realistic pick. He won't have many contract offers, so he won't have a high contract. If he can provide them a solid scorer for a low amount of money, it's the ultimate win-win for the Bulls
Shannon Brown - If he doesn't exercise his option with the Lakers, I'd expect the Bulls to go after him. He showed huge signs of improvement this year. Although his stats say otherwise, he came out on fire and showed he can be a big time scorer. Wouldn't a backcourt of Brown and Rose be super exciting?
Tracy McGrady - Another risky pick, but he's proven he can play more than Redd. He played 23 minutes a game this year and I don't think the Bulls would need him to play much more than that. With Korver, Watson, and Brewer behind him, he'd just need to be the late-game guard
NBA Draft
28th pick - Nolan Smith, PG/SG, Duke - Surprise, surprise. The Blue Devils guard can give them some scoring and some PG help both. His one question would be his range, but he improved greatly over his last 2 years
30th pick - Chandler Parsons, SF, Florida - The one need outside of a shooting guard would be a backup small forward. Enter Parsons. He's incredibly underrated and his size (6'10, 221 lbs) gives him a big advantage at the SF spot.
43rd pick - David Lighty, F/G, Ohio State - Another guard/forward combo to help their shooting guard and back up small forward issue. If they can get him this late, it'd be a great pick
Final Analysis
The Bulls need to make a move to get a shooting guard, no matter it be a trade, free agency, or the draft. But they have a glaring weakness at the position and until they address it, they won't be a Finals team, let alone a championship team. If I had to guess, I would say free agency might be the best place for them to get their shooting guard, but I'm not an expert
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Comments (25) Add A Comment
Redd is the next Allen Houston. Excellent player but injuries took their toll....
DJRoxalot
Total Comments (108458)
I disagree that Rip Hamilton makes them a favorite for a title. I disagree that he would even ultimately help them.
The Ellis acquisition would be much better.
NEW NAME
Total Comments (8519)
He put up 14 points a game this year. On a good team like the Bulls, he'd be able to still get 18-20 a game if needed
Rudedog: Thankful
Total Comments (27520)
He's also 33 going on 34, and hasn't played a full season in years
NEW NAME
Total Comments (8519)
He normally plays close to 30 minutes a game, which he wouldn't need to do in Chicago. I nice change of scenery would be good for him
Rudedog: Thankful
Total Comments (27520)
Didn't the Bulls have the best record in the NBA and make it to the semifinals? I don;t get why if you don;t win the championship in the NBA you have to rebuild the team. People are saying the same thing about the Heat even though they made it to the Championship game.
U. Wrex
Total Comments (1450)
Ray Allen would be the perfect player for the bulls. A great shooter, who gives them that much needed 2 guard. he can take some of the load off of Rose, and he is a pretty good defender.
rsp
Total Comments (2261)
Ray Ray isn't coming to Chicago.
D-Rose and Monta on the same team? Two guards who never met a shot they don't like?
Assassin: Simile…
Total Comments (32928)
agreed with both. Ray isn't going and Ellis would be a bad fit.
Ray would be a perfect fit though
rsp
Total Comments (2261)
No way Boston lets him go to Chicago
NEW NAME
Total Comments (8519)
When did I say rebuild? They have one position to improve and that's it.
Rudedog: Thankful
Total Comments (27520)
I like the Rip Hamilton prospect. I don't think Ellis would be a good fit with the Bulls and it would cost too much to get him. I doubt the Bulls will be willing to trade Omer Asik either. He really developed into a heck of a defender last year. If they are going to make a trade, I think whomever they get back will have to be a real impact player for them to give up Asik or Gibson. I would expect the Bulls will value the players they have more than many other teams will after seeing how good the chemistry was this past year.
SloppyJaloppy
Total Comments (1306)
I know but it seems like a lot of people are saying that some of the successful teams that didn;t win the championship like the Lakers and Heat have to be blown up when they already have a championship contending team.
U. Wrex
Total Comments (1450)
Bulls get - Rip Hamilton
Pistons get - Kyle Korver, Omer Asik, C.J. Watson
So they trade the only guy who can stretch the floor and make teams play Rose honestly in Korver, then throw in one of maybe 3 guys who can create their own shot and play pg and sg in Watson, and then throw in their 7 foot rookie who other then Rose is probably the last player they would consider trading....................for a 33 year old who shoots .429
:CubanMissile:
Chicagoland, IL
Total Comments (2107)
Rip shot 38% from 3 last year. That's not bad. And he's a MUCH more complete guard than Korver.
If the Bulls want to win a title, they need someone like Hamilton. They can't succeed without a 2-guard to take the pressure off Rose. Rose is asked to do everything on the team.
Rudedog: Thankful
Total Comments (27520)
You're fixing all the good teams that don't really need fixed.
(Un)mautre
Inferiority Complex Group, FN
Total Comments (16235)
Why do we need to limit this to teams who didn't win a Championship this year? Champions have off-seasons too. Next up...
Fix the NBA Team: Mavericks
(Un)mautre
Inferiority Complex Group, FN
Total Comments (16235)
I'm starting at the top and working my way to the bottom
Rudedog: Thankful
Total Comments (27520)
But you started with LA.....
rsp
Total Comments (2261)
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