A lot has been made about the Chicago Bulls' upcoming offseason. The team is looking to make a splash after back-to-back disappointing exits in the postseason. Hoping to have a healthy Derrick Rose once again, the team is ready to add a few marquee names to roster via free agency. However, in order to do so they must make some cuts as well. Carlos Boozer and Kirk Hinrich are just hoping they are not one of them.
Boozer has heard the rumors. He sees the writing on the wall. Ever since his role with the team was reduced, Boozer's name has been the center of several trade rumors. The Bulls attempted to move the power forward at the deadline, but never finalized a deal. Now with the offseason approaching, Boozer is hearing the rumors once again but is hoping to return for at least one more season in Chicago.
"We have a core that can win it," Boozer said, via K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune. "And I'd love to be a part of that moving forward. I let them know that. They let me know that, ideally, they'd want that as well. But moving forward, they have decisions to make. There are a lot of rumors out there. I've done a good job of handling that and staying focused on playing ball."
There are several options for the Bulls to consider with Boozer. The team could simply cut him. His salary would not count towards the books, but the team would still have to pay him. They could use the amnesty clause during a time period in July or they could attempt to trade him. Boozer only averaged 13.7 points and 8.3 rebounds this season, but he still has some worth on the market. Several teams could be interested in Boozer including the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks.
Hinrich is in the same position. The point guard is approaching free agency after making $4 million this season. However, he really only wants to play for Chicago. The 10-year veteran had brief stints with Atlanta and Washington, but has played the majority of the time with the Bulls and he would prefer it stays that way.
"I grew up a Bull in this league," Hinrich said. "I will always think of myself as a Chicago Bull no matter what happens. Just moving forward, I have a great relationship with a lot of my teammates here who are coming back. The organization - there's definitely a lot of history there."
With the Bulls chasing after players like Carmelo Anthony, Hinrich's future looks to be done in Chicago unless he has low salary demands. Add all of this with the pending future of head coach Tom Thibodeau and the Bulls have a lot of work to do.
