Central Division Offseason Preview: Chicago Bulls

The Central Division Offseason Preview continues with the second installment detailing some of the options available to the Chicago Bulls this offseason

Chicago Bulls (42-40)

Guaranteed Salary: $65,717,074

Non-Guaranteed Contracts: $1,855,067

Spencer Dinwiddie ($980,431)

Cristiano Felicio ($874,636)

Free Agents: $33,688,819 (Cap Holds)

Aaron Brooks ($2,925,000)

Pau Gasol ($9,683,388) *Player Option, likely to become free agent*

E’Twaun Moore ($980,431),

Joakim Noah ($20,100,000)

First Round Draft Pick: $1,743,500

14^th Pick

After missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008, the Chicago Bulls look to be at a crossroads. Injuries ranging in severity to the likes of Joakim Noah, Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler, Nikola Mirotic and Mike Dunleavy ended the chances of an eighth straight postseason run.

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A major shake-up of the front court looks likely with Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol both unlikely to return in free agency while Taj Gibson has been constantly rumoured to be on the way out. That would leave the likes of Mirotic and Bobby Portis with increased roles, both showing flashes of promise along with some inconsistency in the early stages of their careers. Letting Noah and Gasol walk will open up as much as $22 million in cap space for replacements.

If cap space is the goal, then moving on from Derrick Rose and the final $21 million he is owed should be a priority. He has been linked to the New York Knicks who do lack the assets to make it any more than a salary cap dump.

A complete rebuild is another option the Bulls might take with Jimmy Butler recently linked to a move to the Minnesota Timberwolves that would include some nice young players and the fifth overall pick in the draft. With Andrew Wiggins reportedly off-limits, would a trade involving Zach Lavine, Gorgui Dieng and the fifth overall pick be enough in return for Jimmy Butler?

I wouldn’t have thought so, however is a team built around Butler, Portis, Mirotic , McDermott, the 14^th pick and some cap space really going to move the needle in a surprisingly competitive bottom half of the eastern conference playoff standings?

If an acceptable trade for the likes of Rose or Butler can’t be found then the Bulls might think the best option is to postpone their big free agency moves until the following season when Rose comes off the books and the salary cap increases even further.

If that is the case then they will be reliant on the internal growth from players like Mirotic, McDermott and Portis in particular. With Mike Dunleavy turning 36 during the upcoming season, McDermott should be given an opportunity to replace him in the starting line-up. He shot 42.5% from three during his second year in the league and showed glimpses of potential that saw the Bulls move up to draft him.

With Rose’s inability to remain healthy for the entire season, a solid backup point guard would be a priority. Whether that comes via a trade, free agency or the draft remains to be seen.

Next: Detroit Pistons work out six prospects

With coach Fred Hoiberg only entering the second year of a 5 year $25 million contract it is likely the Bulls have no option but to find players available to best suit his system that is reliant on pace and ball movement on offense. Moving on from aging players like Noah and Gasol will assist with gaining flexibility it can then use to find those suitable players.

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