The Chicago Bulls have been active this offseason and after missing out on Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James, the team has signed Pau Gasol, Nikola Mirotic and Aaron Brooks for Derrick Rose support and now the team could look at Evan Turner, Jameer Nelson, Ray Allen or Ramon Sessions as potential free agent additions to join Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson as the Bulls try and make it to the finals.
According to ESPN.com, the Bulls are signing Brooks to a deal to help with depth behind Rose and on the bench and he will join a number of new additions for the Bulls. Carlos Boozer is gone and was claimed by the Lakers after the team used the amnesty clause on him and the 29 year old Brooks now gives Tom Thibodeau another option to use in the rotation. Last season Brooks averaged nine points and three assists while playing with the Nuggets and the Houston Rockets.
Last season the Bulls ranked first in the league in defense by points allowed and they were 30th in points scored and that is one of the main reasons why the team went so hard after Carmelo Anthony. Adding Pau Gasol will help a bit on the offensive end, as he is an upgrade over Carlos Boozer and the trade for Doug McDermott also could pay off big time this season. McDermott played four years at Creighton and was a great scorer in college and now he is looking to being his sharp shooting to the NBA and he could be a valuable long range option, which is an area the Bulls struggled in the past two years.
The Bulls also signed Kirk Hinrich back to help on the bench and the team comes in after being ranked 10th in both assists and rebounds per game last season and they are hoping to keep up those numbers. Joakim Noah was the top rebounder and assist man last season and the addition of Brooks and the healthy of Rose should take that over and the team needs a new leading scorer with Luol Deng now signed in Miami with the Heat.
The central division is looking like it will be the toughest in the east and possibly in the NBA, as LeBron James is returning to the Cavaliers and the Bulls are looking improved. The Pacers lost Lance Stephenson but they should still be a strong team and that makes it a three-team race for the division. Miami should still be a threat in the east and teams like the Wizards, NY Knicks, Nets and Toronto Raptors also will be in playoff contention.
Gasol and Boozer switched spots for the Bulls and the Lakers, but both players should be able to provide some solid value for their new teams. Gasol will be a better offensive option than Boozer and he gives Derrick Rose someone to play off of inside and despite his age Gasol remains a strong rebounder on both ends of the floor. Gasol could be the difference this season for the Bulls as long as Rose remains healthy and if the point guard can make it through the season, the Bulls should be one of the teams at the end this year in the postseason.
