Chicago Bulls Off Season Part 2

Last time out I looked at the guards and small forwards, this time I’ll get into the bigs. I’ll also throw some possible free agent names out there, looking to the future. If you missed my earlier look at the Bulls you can hit it here.

The young frontcourt of the Bulls made big strides last season, led by Joakim Noah. Noah is what he is, a defensive minded center that will rebound and run the floor. He knows his offensive limitations, as he only took a handful of jump shots the entire year. With his solid free throw shooting (nearly 70%) I can see a day where he can knock down an open 15 footer. Even with that corkscrew push shot. Bulls fans can remember another center with an awful looking jumper that was fairly effective. Remember the side winding shot of Bill Cartwright? Noah improved his game as the year progressed, cumulating in a 7 game playoff averages of 10.1 ppg, 13.1 rpg, 2.1 bpg, & 2.3 apg. This off season Noah will add some more bulk, but he needs to add that simple jump hook to become a threat down low. He has it in him to be a double double guy next year.

Tyrus Thomas was such a frustrating player to watch last year. You see so much potential, then you see a brooding sulker. You see a kid with great energy on the defensive end, then you see a guy completely lost of offense. Unlike Noah, Tyrus hasn’t figured out what he is, he thinks he can be a go to guy, scratch that, he thinks he should be the go to guy. He takes so many poor shots on offense and he settles way to much for his below average jumper. I’ll give him credit, he’s increased his strength and his jump shot is better since last year, but he still needs work in both areas. And anyone that can jump as high as Tyrus should develop a shot from the post, whether a turn around J or a jump hook, he needs something. At times I scratched my head at his minutes, wondering where his defensive intensity was to finish out games. Hopefully if he’s still a Bull next year Vinny Del Negro will have a better grasp on how to best utilize him. Thomas is one of the few Bulls with any trade value so his return isn’t a given.

Brad Miller played the part of grizzled vet to perfection. He relishes the chance to mentor the young bigs, he plays smart (although he did force some passes in the playoffs), and he plays with a toughness this young team needs. With only one year left on his contract he could be moved if a trade is made, but I’d like to see him stick around. If this team progresses like it should I can see Miller playing out his final year and resigning at a lower salary. He has the ability to pull the opposing center out of the lane giving Derrick Rose room to operate.

Tim Thomas had some injury and personal issues in his brief time as a Bull last year, and like Miller, has one year left on his contract so being added to a trade could happen. If he sticks around I’d like to see how he’s incorporated in the team with a full training camp. (The basic offense the Bulls ran will no doubt be augmented with VDN trusting his young point guard even more.) Thomas can score if given enough minutes to get in an offensive flow, so he could be a valuable part of the Bulls bench.

Aaron Gray could be allowed to sign elsewhere. I think he’ll get some offers and I don’t see the Bulls getting in a bidding war. If Gray had a mid range jump shot he’d have value for the Bulls, but as it is I think he’s gone.

Linton Johnson was added down the stretch and when given an opportunity he didn’t hurt the Bulls. I could see him being brought into camp to compete for a 12th spot of the bench.

Jerome James is in Chicago because his salary helped match up the Larry Hughes trade. He’s been injured and I doubt he’ll return. He has one year left on his contract, (a player option year) so he could be another salary match up in a trade.


The Bulls have two 1st round picks in the draft that should be in play, either to move up or to acquire a veteran. I really hope the Bulls don’t stand pat and take two rookies, the last thing this team needs is two more young guys. Target a veteran that makes sense and go get him.

On the Free Agent front there are no unrestricted guys that are that exciting, or that make a lot of sense for Chicago. Shawn Marion, Drew Gooden, Chris Wilcox, Brandon Bass, Antonio McDyess… Lamar Odom or Ron Artest would be a nice pick up, but I don’t see either happening. There are some players that might opt out making free agency more interesting; Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur, Hedo Turkoglu, Al Harrington, Jamal Crawford, and Kobe Bryant. Of the restricted free agents (in which I don’t see the Bulls dipping into), David Lee, Paul Millsap, Channing Frye, Marcin Gortat, Charlie Villanueva, and Glen Davis are the more well known players.

The Bulls will have feelers out in any trade talks that occur on those 2010 potential free agents (Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Dwyane Wade, and maybe Dirk Nowitzki), but with so many teams wary of cap space, any blockbuster type moves would surprise me.