The Chicago Bulls are coming into the offseason looking to make a big move and names like LeBron James, Kevin Love, Carmelo Anthony and Luol Deng could be in the mix to make a Big 3 with derrick Rose and Joakim Noah and that likely means a trade of Carlos Boozer along with Taj Gibson or Jimmy Butler to clear enough space to make that happen.
The Bulls and coach Tom Thibodeau have not always seen eye to eye and if things go wrong this offseason, it could have an impact on the future. According to ESPN.com, Anthony is the top target for the tea, but they also are in on Kevin Love and they would have to move Boozer to get that done. Last season Boozer made over $15 million and the team also has the amnesty clause in their back pocket if they want to use that on him. Gibson looks like a budding all-star, but he could get moved in the hopes of landing Anthony or Love and the two players that are guaranteed to stay are Noah and Rose. Jimmy Butler also could be involved in a deal and that means the Bulls have some major decisions to make.
Last season the Bulls had a solid year despite lousing Rose again to a major injury and they finished with 48 wins and lost to the Washington Wizards in the first round of the playoffs. The team played very well at times, but scoring was an issue and that is one reason why they are looking at Love, James and Anthony as options. Obviously getting any one of the three will be difficult, but the Bulls have the cache of their name and Michael Jordan and that could convince someone like LeBron James to sign up.
The Bulls were the best defensive team in the league last season and they ranked number one overall in points allowed, but the team was last in scoring. The team was 30th in the league in points per game and that is one reason why Carmelo Anthony is a target and he could be their answer this offseason. Anthony is opting out of his deal with the Knicks and SI.com reports that the Bulls and the Houston Rockets are the top options for him to sign with. The Bulls have Joakim Noah and Rose along with other talent to sway Anthony with and that could be enough to convince him to sign away from the Knicks.
While it's unlikely, LeBron and Carmelo could team up in Miami and they could make a Big 4 if everyone takes major pay cuts, but that would mean Melo leaves a ton of money on the table. The Bulls can clear space to sign him to a major deal and he could leave NY to sign with the Bulls if they can move Boozer and likely someone else to clear the cap.
