Mar 27, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Shawn Marion (0) looks on against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Clippers won 109-103. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Man Pippen Peoples, it’s been a long summer. The Chicago Bulls rumors were all over the NBA. So many rumors. So many stories. So many scenarios. The Chicago Bulls were very busy, but very successful. Let’s go through a quick run through of the odyssey that was Chicago’s free agency period this summer.
After chasing Carmelo Anthony for months and nearly nabbing him in the process. The Bulls found out what C.R.E.A.M. really means when it come to Melo.
Cash
Rules
Everything
Around
Me
Dolla Dolla bills y’all! So Carmelo Anthony signed a five-year deal with the New York Knicks for a reported $124 million dollars. Carmelo Anthony’s happy. New York’s happy. I’m Happy.
You Bulls fans should be happy too.
After Carmelo Anthony kept his talents in Madison Square Garden. The Bulls loaded up their squad with quality players that put them above the other teams (including the Cleveland Cavaliers until they get Kevin Love) in the NBA free agency signings overall.
The Bulls turned their attention to Pau Gasol who was shown as much respect in Los Angeles as a wet food stamp. The Bulls let Gasol know that he was wanted and needed in Chicago. The Bulls signed Gasol to a three-year deal worth 22 million.
Then the Bulls went across the pond to nab Nikola Mirotic. The team signed him to a three-year 17 million dollar deal.
Naturally the Bulls had to open up some money to make these signings so they finally dropped the hammer on Carlos Boozer using the amnesty provision and waived him.
Then the Bulls resigned Kirk Hinrich and let D.J. Augustin walk away and go to the Detroit Pistons. Then they flipped Augustin for Aaron Brooks.
Before all of this the Bulls traded the rights to their 16th and 19th overall selections to the Denver Nuggets for the rights to the 11th overall pick Doug McDermott and box of Newports and Puma sweats named Anthony Randolph. Randolph was traded to the Orlando Magic and was waived soon after.
With all that has gone on with the Bulls this offseason, they still have one roster spot still open. Pippen Ain’t Easy’s Michael Rosenfeld had an impressive list of players the Bulls could pick up for the skid row veteran’s minimum. As always, it is an informative and great read.
There is a player that I will add to the mix that would be a perfect fit to the Chicago Bulls squad. Shawn “The Matrix” Marion.
The Matrix has been connected to the Bulls and he could be had now that the Dallas Mavericks signed Chandler Parsons and Al-Farouq Aminu (I can’t believe he’s still in the league!) in their busy offseason.
If the Bulls do have a weakness albeit a small one, it is at the small forward position. It’s starting to look more and more like Jimmy Butler will go back to the shooting guard spot and Mike Dunleavy needs to be coming off the bench at this point of his career. Doug McDermott and Tony Snell put the dog on the Las Vegas Summer Leagues but that doesn’t merit a starting spot. Here’s where Shawn Marion fits in.
Marion averaged 10.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 48.2% from the field. He also was a capable three-point shooter last year shooting 35.8% and close to 79% from the charity stripe. Career wise Marion has averages of 15.8 points, nine rebounds. nearly two assists and a block a game.
What I have always liked about Marion is that he always played hard and with energy. He was one of those players that didn’t need a play drawn up for him. He could get his points on the break and off offensive rebounds. This is a perfect fit for the Chicago Bulls and Shawn Marion.
On the defensive end of the floor, Tom Thibodeau will love this dude. Marion is still a capable defender who can stay in front of people and guard them one on one. All this for the low price of the veteran’s minimum if Marion is looking for a contender to play for at the end of his career.
As always Pippen Peoples, keep it locked to Pippen Ain’t Easy for all of your Chicago Bulls rumors, news, previews and reviews.