With Derrick Rose more than likely to miss a chunk of next year's season while recovering from ACL surgery, the Bulls are on a quest to find a veteran guard to replace him.
The Chicago Bulls have been in contact with veteran point guard Derek Fisher, as well as shooting guard Brandon Roy, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.
Fisher's, 37, promising relationship with the Bulls first surfaced after his buyout in the spring. It was an addition that Rose seemed captivated with at the time.
"D-Fish definitely could help our team," Rose said at the time. "But like I said, it's not up to me. It's up to the front office to make that call. If he comes, we'll welcome him with open arms, but we don't know right now."
Fisher was assumed to quietly re-sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder after essentially choosing them over several contenders following the midseason trade from the Los Angeles Lakers and buyout from the Houston Rockets.
As of now, Fisher has options to choose from being that he is also on the radar of the Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks, and Thunder. All three teams pursued him in March after he negotiated a buyout from the Rockets. Fisher gave up the final year and $3.4 million of his previous contract as part of his buyout from Houston. He signed for the remainder of the Thunder's $2.3 million midlevel exception, in essence a pro-rated $1.9 million.
Roy, 27, who retired before last season due to chronic knee problems, is eager to make a comeback this season and could find a role with the Bulls for the right price. He and his representatives have spoken to members of the Bulls' staff and looks to come to an affable decision. Yahoo! Sports reported that the Bulls were one of four finalists for Roy's services.
With Richard Hamilton and Luol Deng already in the fold, Roy would likely come off the bench. With Fisher, the Bulls have the ability to set him as a potential starter to begin the season.
Bulls GM Gar Forman has stated repeatedly that his team will make basketball decisions, not financial ones, but appear to be jaded about going too deep into the punitive luxury tax.