The Chicago Bulls missed out on Carmelo Anthony this offseason, but the team added Pau Gasol in free agency and that is a major signing and now the team can focus on a Carlos Boozer trade or amnesty to get Gasol in under the salary cap after the Lakers sign and trade failed, while free agents like Lance Stephenson and Greg Monroe could also be potential targets.
Gasol made his decision over the weekend and now the two sides are working out the details on a contract. According to ESPN.com, Gasol chose the Bulls over the Lakers and the NY Knicks, opting to join Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah after the team missed out on Carmelo Anthony. Gasol brings a championship pedigree to the team and now ESPN.com is reporting that the Bulls may have to find a trade for Carlos Boozer or use the amnesty provision to get under the cap to sign Gasol.
The Bulls felt that Melo would be a perfect piece to their lineup and now the team has Gasol and a deadline for a move for Boozer with the amnesty clause is Wednesday, which means the team has to get moving on a deal. Nikola Mirotic is on his way to the team after being drafted and acquired in 2011 and now he is set to join the team according to ESPN.com. Mirotic agreed to a deal with the Bulls to come over from Europe and he has been a target for the team to add for the last few years.
The Bulls still need to officially sign Gasol, but ESPN is reporting that it will be a three year deal worth $22 million and that gives a strong front for the Bulls as they try and make a championship run this season. Gasol is 34 and still has plenty of talent and he comes in after winning championships with the Lakers and his deal also has a player option in the third year according to Yahoo. Boozer is likely on his way out, as ESPN writes that the team has until Wednesday to use the amnesty provision in his contract and that comes if they can't find a trade for him. The team now has Gasol, Mirotic along with Doug McDermott coming in and the team also signed back Kirk Hinrich.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, Hinrich opted to sign back with the Bulls this offseason and he will make less than $6 million over two years. Hinrich is a key part of the team and averaged nearly 10 points last season and shot over 35 percent from three point range. He is an important part of the bench and with Derrick Rose coming back from injury, he will play a key part as well.
The Bulls lost to the Washington Wizards last season in the playoffs and now the team thinks it has a chance to make it to the finals. LeBron has gone to Cleveland and that may take some time, but the central is right in the middle of the NBA now, as the Bulls, Cavs and Indiana Pacers should be some of the best teams in the league.
