The Chicago Bulls are aiming big this season. With Derrick Rose fully healthy, they have high expectations of competing in the Eastern Conference. With a new coaching staff in place, the Bulls are preparing to work on chemistry with their sights set on dethroning the Cleveland Cavaliers this season. However, what if it does not happen? Rose took to the media on Monday and dropped the free agency bomb during a question which could mean changes are coming if the Bulls do not win.
Rose dropped the phrase 'free agency' simply to talk about getting more money and not leaving the franchise. With the salary cap set to increase, Rose along with several other players are eyeing big pay days in the coming year. Rose will not be a free agent for another two years, but he admitted that he is already thinking about his future. The point guard stressed that making sure his family is financially stable is the priority, but staying in Chicago is where he sees himself.
"It's here," Rose said, via ESPN.com. "But when you talk about that much money, the only thing you can do is prepare for it, trying to prepare not only myself but my family. I'm doing all of this for my son. I'm thinking about his future even though we're all right, we're comfortable. When you talk about that 'X' amount of dollars, I think it raises everyone's eyebrows. It's nothing wrong with being over-prepared."
It is far too early to speculate Rose's future with the Bulls. There are likely split opinions on the matter considering the point guard's injury history, but there is no denying his greatness when healthy. This season could be big for Rose's future in terms of money. If he can stay healthy all season, the idea of re-signing him is a no-brainer. However, if Rose were to get hurt again, there might be questions raised.
Rose's future is a long-term issue while the futures of Taj Gibson and Joakim Noah are being discussed now. Noah needs a bounce back season. Last year was not good for the center and he enters this season on an expiring contract. The Bulls have given no indications about extension discussions. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the Bulls will let the center play out the final year of his deal first. He and Pau Gasol will be battling for the starting spot as Noah aims to play more than just the 67 games he got to last year.
According to Jeremy Karll of Pippen Ain't Easy, the Bulls have a lot of decisions to make heading into the season and lot of them center around Noah. Playing out the final year of his contract, Noah will want to start. However, is the combination of Gasol and Gibson better for the Bulls? Karll writes that statistically speaking, the Bulls should start Gibson regardless because his numbers as a starter are better than when he comes off the bench.
"Benching Noah and starting Taj Gibson would finally give Gibson a chance to start like the Bulls had planned in previous years," Karll said, via FOX Sports. "Gibson was the expected starter before the Bulls traded Carlos Boozer for Pau Gasol last offseason. Gibson still started 17 games last year, due to injuries, in which he averaged 11.8 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game and 1.8 blocks per game in 33.5 minutes. Gibson's numbers as a starter are significantly better than when he comes off the bench."
Gibson has faced trade rumors, but that is not likely to occur this season. Instead, the Bulls will go in with this current roster and hope things pan out like they want. Jimmy Butler comes back with a new contract extension to his name as he and Rose aim to build better chemistry than they displayed last season. However, if things go south quickly in Chicago, expect trades to once again come into the picture.