The Chicago Bulls feel they have a championship team together after signing Pau Gasol, Nikola Mirotic and Kirk Hinrich this offseason for Derrick Rose and now names like Aaron Brooks, Evan Turner, Jameer Nelson and Kendall Marshall could be potential free agent options for the team as the free agency period moves through the summer according to CSN Chicago.
The Bulls signed Gasol as he was getting pursued by the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks and he was the main target past Carmelo Anthony. According to ESPN.com, the team introduced Gasol after signing him to a multiyear deal and they also brought in Mirotic, who was signed after being in Europe for a few years and in a way that is like adding another free agent to the mix. The central division will be tough this season with LeBron James returning and the Pacers looking strong, but the Bulls feel that they have as good of a chance as anyone if Derrick Rose is healthy.
According to CSN Chicago, the team is looking at Aaron Brooks as a backup point guard option after using DJ Augustin last season and the team is looking to sign him to a deal. The Bulls got rid of Carlos Boozer and while they have to pay him, his money is now off the cap and they have some more flexibility to use in free agency. Brooks is 29 years old and is coming into the year after averaging nine points per game in a bench role last season with the Rockets and the Nuggets and while in Denver he put up 11 points per game. Back in 2010 he had his best season with nearly 20 points and five assists per game and he could be a strong option off of the bench.
Derrick Rose is expected to return fully healthy this season, but having an experienced and durable point guard is a nice option for the Bulls and Brooks can provide that. The Bulls feel that adding Gasol is a major upgrade from Boozer, as he is gettign paid less and should be more productive on both ends of the floor. Boozer was not a four quarter player anymore and that put more strain on Taj Gibson and he is a key player for the Bulls and they need him healthy. Boozer was the consolation prize after missing on LeBron James in 2010 and he didn't get a fair shake in Chicago, but he also got way overpaid by the end and the amnesty was the only option.
According to ESPN.com, the Bulls love what they have in Mirotic and they think he can be a star, as GM Gar Forman said teams offered him top 10 picks at the draft for the rights to the star. The team has high hopes for him and while they know that he will need an adjustment period, they see him as a potential starter down the line and adding him is like adding a high level free agent. Gasol and Mirotic along with a healthy Rose gives the Bulls a strong team with Taj Gibson, Joakim Noah, Kirk Hinrich and Jimmy Butler as well as Tony Snell and they should be one of the best in the east.
