The Chicago Bulls have a lot of decisions to make this offseason. They ended the 2013-14 season with disappointment and can take the roster in several directions. The Bulls want a marquee scoring threat either by trade or free agency. The team has been linked to both Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Love, moves that would require a lot of roster clearing to do so. Are the Bulls ready to go "all in" on one player?
Getting Love or Anthony requires a lot of work. Players will have to be traded or released and the Bulls will be at risk of getting rid of too much for getting so little in return. The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that either move will likely mean moving players like Carlos Boozer, Taj Gibson and Mike Dunleavy in some fashion. That is a lot of talent to dump for one scoring threat and it is now being reported that Bulls are not sold on the idea.
Fans likely will not want to hear about any trade involving Gibson who enjoyed a solid breakout season. Waiving Boozer is expected. The Bulls could amnesty his $16.8 million contract or they could attempt to trade him in a deal for Love or Anthony. Boozer does not hold much weight any more. Trading him likely means tossing in another player as well and Bulls do not have interest in that. The end of result will be simply wiping him clean off the salary cap.
There are certainly plenty of cheaper options for the Bulls over Anthony or Love. Getting rid of Boozer frees up a solid chunk of change to work with and if they are not targeting players seeking a max contract, there is more to work with. The team could try and re-negotiate a contract with Luol Deng. He is not returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers and has solid history with the Bulls. Lance Stephenson will immediately be a favorite if the Indiana Pacers let him walk away at the end of the year. Despite his locker room concerns, Stephenson would be crucial for any team looking to win immediately and the Bulls fit that description.
Candidates who could be more of a reach are LaMarcus Aldridge. The Bulls would have to make a trade, but he could be cheaper than Love. Pau Gasol would fit, but only once Boozer is gone. Paul Pierce might be willing to finish his career out in the Windy City, but with Kevin Garnett likely staying in Brooklyn, Pierce might opt to as well.