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Who’s Actually Available for the Bulls in Free Agency?

With NBA Free Agency on the horizon, the Chicago Bulls are one of the contending teams in the Eastern Conference that are capable of dethroning LeBron James in the postseason. This time of the year is where they can work towards making that a reality? But, what options do they have with limited funds?

The Chicago Bulls aren’t exactly “big players” when it comes to this summer’s free agency period, but they can put themselves in a great position for next season with a couple moves after free agency begins on Wednesday.

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Here’s the thing to remember for the Bulls: The NBA salary cap will sit around $67.1 million in 2015-16, while the luxury tax with sit around $81.6 million.

Currently, the Bulls have $61,771,869 invested into their current roster (which includes team options for E’Twaun Moore and Cameron Bairstow).

And yes, that’s before Jimmy Butler‘s pending contract situation is settled.

But, getting Butler back is big for the Bulls. The Bulls front office has made it clear they want Butler in Chicago for the long-term, and with Butler being a RFA, the Bulls put themselves in a fantastic position to keep him on Monday by offering him a maximum offer sheet.

According to reports from Tuesday afternoon, Butler has already canceled meetings with four other teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers; the team that has been rumored to really be in the hunt for Butler’s services.

OK, so the Bulls keep Butler, but what about Mike Dunleavy‘s free agency plans, while also finding a true backup point guard behind Derrick Rose?

Kirk Hinrich picked up his $2.8 million player option on Monday to remain a Bull, but the Bulls need a realistic option behind Rose, who missed a large chunk of the regular season due to a torn meniscus.

With that being said, what’s a realistic option or two for the Bulls in free agency?

Gary Neal

If the Bulls were getting the Gary Neal from the 2013 NBA Finals for San Antonio, I would be ecstatic about the Bulls acquiring Neal.

But, let’s look at his numbers since he left San Antonio during the Spurs’ title season from two years ago (with three different teams): 39.1 percent shooting from the field, 34.3 percent from three-point range, and a true shooting percentage of 50.5.

Not bad, right? Especially for a mini mid-level exception possibly?

With a guy like Neal, you’ll have someone who has experience on a solid roster, while getting a backup who is four years younger than the option you have now (Hinrich).

Patrick Beverley

This “homecoming” won’t make headlines like LeBron James‘ homecoming to Cleveland did, but the Bulls bringing RFA Patrick Beverley back home to Chicago would be a good story, and a good move.

Beverley was a star guard at Marshall Metro High School on the west side of Chicago, played two seasons at the University of Arkansas, then spent the last three seasons with the Houston Rockets.

What makes Beverley’s acquisition difficult is that he’s a restricted free agent, and the Rockets need their ball-stopper up top. Beverley’s absence was definitely noticeable for the Rockets, especially in their Western Conference Finals loss to Golden State.

He’s a edgy-type player, but his rough-and-tough demeanor would fit right in with Bulls fans.

Money would be tougher with Beverley, but the former Chicago high school hoop star would be great for the Bulls this summer.

Also on the Bulls’ radar:

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