The Chicago Bulls are heading into the summer with a number of targets on the free agent market, as players like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Luol Deng are names they could go after along with the Kevin Love trade and if those fall through, a trade for LaMarcus Aldridge could be in the mix if Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer or Taj Gibson are traded from Chi-town.
The Bulls have their eyes on the prize this offseason, as they realize that Derrick Rose only has a limited window for playing healthy in his prime and the next few years could see that opening close up. According to ESPN.com, the team is heavy into the Kevin Love trade rumors and is a player in that deal if they want to be, while James and Anthony are also free agent targets, but the Bulls realize they can't back on getting one of those stars to sign and need a backup plan. Love is the most coveted player right now in the league and the Timberwolves are looking to make a deal this summer for the right price.
The Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets and Lakers are all interested in a deal for Love along with a number of other teams and that means the Bulls will have competition. The team has the assets to move and they will need to do that to get Love or to have a chance at signing Anthony and James. Anthony and James are set to opt out of their contracts and while no word is official yet, everyone in the league thinks the two hitting free agency is a forgone conclusion. James is likely to stay in Miami, but there could be an opening after the team lost the finals, while Anthony could be frustrated with the way the Knicks played this past season.
The Bulls will have to move Carlos Boozer no matter what, as he made $15 million last season and is 32 years old and slipping in quality. The team may also trade Joakim Noah, but that would likely only be in the Love deal, as he is part of the core for the team and would be part of the Big 3 if Anthony or James signs. Boozer averaged 13 points and eight rebounds last season and was a two quarter player and that means he could get the amnesty clause as well to clear out space. NBA.com writes that Aldridge could be an option if the Love deal doesn't workout.
According to ESPN.com, Anthony and James are leaning towards staying with their teams, but would like to see what other franchises have to offer and that could be a scary though for Heat and Knicks fans. Anthony had a tough season in NY and missed the playoffs for the first time and even with Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher coming in, Anthony still could bounce just a few years after getting traded for. The Bulls lost in the first round in the playoffs and not having Rose in the lineup was tough and now the team could look at adding a major star as Rose returns and next year could be a big one in Chicago.
