The Chicago Bulls have signed back Jimmy Butler to a max deal this offseason and the team could also look at adding Pablo Prigioni or Jason Terry as a free agent to help backup Derrick Rose and Aaron Brooks and this comes as the team could trade Taj Gibson after drafting Bobby Portis, while Nazr Mohammed is considering retirement.
The Bulls have been active this offseason in keeping their own free agents, as the team signed Butler along with Mike Dunleavy and Aaron Brooks. Butler said to the media that reports about a feud between him and Derrick Rose that there was no tension and that he is excited to be back in Chicago. The Bulls brought in Fred Hoiberg to take over for Tom Thibodeau and his job is to get to the east finals or the finals after Chicago missed out on a run the past few years.
UPDATE: Pablo Prigioni has signed with the Clippers.
The Bulls reportedly are looking to add another front court player, as ESPN Chicago reports that the team has Joakim Noah as the only true center on the roster. The team also could look at adding another guard to play behind Derrick Rose and Aaron Brooks, as the Bulls currently have Kirk Hinrich, Tony Snell and E'Twaun Moore as the guards. Pablo Prigioni and Jason Terry remain on the market, while Norris Cole also could be a fit if he doesn't cost too much.
The team likely will look to add a center first and players like JaVale McGee, Justin Hamilton, Greg Stiemsma and Samuel Dalembert are available. The Bulls roster has a glut of forwards and that means Taj Gisbon could be a trade option down the line. According to the Chicago Tribune, K.C. Johnson reports that the team could shop Gibson on the trading block this year, as the Bulls have depth at forward. Nikola Mirotic was solid as a rookie and the team drafted Bobby Portis to join starters Noah and Pau Gasol in the front court.
Gibson just had ankle surgery, so any deal likely would be during the season or at the trading deadline. Gibson has been productive for the Bulls when healthy, but his salary may not fit into the role that he will have for the team this season. Gibson is making $8.5 million for this year and next season he is getting paid close to $9 million and with him out for a few months with ankle surgery, it could give Portis and Mirotic the chance to take hold in the rotation.
Noah is heading towards free agency and the Bulls likely want to sign him back and that could mean trading Gibson to help free up cap space. If Portis plays well early in the season and looks good in camp, there is a chance the team could make a move. Doug McDermott played well in the Summer League and he could push to get more minutes as well.
Nazr Mohammed was the backup center with the Bulls and he played in 23 games last season, but he may not return. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Mohammed is considering retirement, writing on his blog that while he feels "great" he has not found the right opportunity on the market this offseason. The Bulls could consider bringing back Mohammed if they don't add another big man in free agency.
Check here for more on the Chicago Bulls offseason moves, potential additions in free agency, the signings of Jimmy Butler and Mike Dunleavy and the play of Doug McDermott in the Summer League. The team may also see Nazr Mohammed retire this offseason.
