How the Chicago Bulls can sign Kevin Durant

Time to turn that frown upside down Bulls fans and look forward to next year

Yes, that’s right. Don’t adjust your devices settings you read the title correctly, the Chicago Bulls not only have a good chance at signing Kevin Durant this offseason, but they also have a great opportunity at competing for a title next year.

Now before you scroll down to the comments section and notify me about how the Bulls are 39-38 and have nowhere near the cap space to sign Kevin Durant, please hear me out.

Now in order for this to work the Bulls would have to trade Derrick Rose, their 2016 first round draft pick and maybe even their 2017 first round pick for the 2nd overall pick in this years draft. Assuming that Ben Simmons goes number one Chicago would land Brandon Ingram, the freshman out of Duke who has averaged 17.3 PPG 6.8 REB 2.0 AST 1.4 BLK and 1.1 STL this year for the Blue Devils.

March 24, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) reacts during the 82-68 loss against Oregon Ducks during the second half of the semifinal game in the West regional of the NCAA Tournament at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports — Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

So now the Bulls would have a future superstar in Brandon Ingram alongside an All-Star in Jimmy Butler but wait, with Joakim Noah ($13.4 million), Pau Gasol ($7.449 million) and Derrick Rose ($20.09 million) now off of Chicago’s books due to free agency and a trade, the Bulls can all of sudden make some serious noise in free agency.

Starting off by signing Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley. The point guard out of Ohio State has been averaging 15.3 PPG and 6.1 AST and can shoot the 3 ball as well as being a much cheaper option at the point than Derrick Rose. Not only is the point guard a perfect fit in Fred Hoiberg’s offense, he would also be another selling point for Kevin Durant to come move to Chicago.

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So then comes the big signing of Kevin Durant. And why wouldn’t he want to sign with Chicago? I mean he would be playing in the house Jordan built, and not only would his brand be more exposed in a much bigger market, but he would also get to team up with Jimmy Butler, Mike Conley, and Brandon Ingram, who by themselves could make Chicago a possible top 4 seed in the East.

But with the addition of Durant, the Bulls would surely be seen as the favorite in the East. They could also trade Taj Gibson to free up some cap room to re-sign Noah who is the glue and spiritual leader of this team. He would be more than willing to take a paycut as this would be his final chance to get a ring.

May 10, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) celebrates with Mike Dunleavy (34) after drawing a foul in the first half of game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports — Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

So there it is: the secret recipe if you will for the Bulls to not only sign Kevin Durant but seriously compete for a title in 2017. Now while I understand a lot of this relies on the Chicago Bulls GM Gar Forman and John Paxon to actually grow a pair, it’s important to understand that crazier things have happened.

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So with the Chicago Bulls season likely coming to a disappointing end, we can only hope that the starting lineup for the Chicago Bulls next year will read, Mike Conley, Jimmy Butler, Brandon Ingram, Kevin Durant and Joakim Noah.