Chicago Bulls Free Agency Preview: Who could the Bulls target?

The Chicago Bulls have entered a rebuild. That’s right, GarPax actually had the guts to tear the team down and try to build from scratch (yet managed to botch that as well). Now, Saturday is July 1st, meaning the free agency period in NBA begins. Let’s take a look at who the Bulls could target.

We’ve already had a crazy offseason, from a swap for the first pick, D’Angelo Russell and Brook Lopez switching teams, the Atlanta Hawks dumping Dwight Howard to the Charlotte Hornets, the Chicago Bulls beginning their rebuild by shipping Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Chris Paul went to the Houston Rockets in what technically was a sign-and-trade.

Now, the offseason will get even crazier by the minute with the NBA’s free agency period kicking off at 12:01 a.m. ET. With this, let’s take a look at the Chicago Bulls current situation regarding free agency and who they could target as the madness begins.

According to HoopsHype.com, the Bulls are currently paying about $50 million in salary after waiving Rajon Rondo and Isaiah Canaan. The salary cap is currently fluctuating, but it’s expected to be about $102 million, giving the Bulls about $52 million in cap space, under the assumption the Bulls don’t buy out Dwyane Wade.

Point Guards:

Milos Teodosic, CSKA Moscow (Russia)

Regarded as the best player right now outside of the NBA, Teodosic is a point guard with the ability to shoot and pass the ball. The Bulls have been rumored to be close to signing him and he may be a point guard to teach the young players how to shoot with him already being 30.

(Stop signing guards, GarPax.)

Darren Collison, Sacramento Kings

With the Kings drafting multiple point guards and wanting to keep Ty Lawson, Collison may be the odd man out. He’s a younger veteran point guard who is a good backup and OK starter. He’s not a great 3-point shooter, but a solid one. He’s more likely to go to a good team as their backup PG.

Shelvin Mack, Utah Jazz

With the Jazz acquiring Ricky Rubio, keeping Dante Exum and still trying to resign George Hill, Mack is as good as gone. He is a terrific defender; something the Bulls need outside of Kris Dunn. He’s basically a veteran version of Dunn, so the Bulls might see something in him, I guess.

Shooting Guards

Dion Waiters, Miami Heat

Waiters will definitely stay if Miami can’t sign a big name free agent, but if they do, and don’t pay Waiters, he could be on the open market. He had his best season yet and played efficiently, averaging 16 points a game as Miami’s second best player on a 41-41 team. He’s also young, so he’d be a good fit for the Bulls. They should at least try to sign him.

Tim Hardaway, Jr., Atlanta Hawks (RFA)

Hardaway Jr. also just had his career year, averaging 14.5 points per game in Atlanta. Hardaway seems to be in the Hawks’ rebuilding plans and since Millsap is as good as gone, they have the money to keep this slashing shooting guard. It’s unlikely he leaves Atlanta.

Ben McLemore, Sacramento Kings

McLemore has been a disappointment after being selected high in the lottery a few years ago. He can shoot and finish at the rim. The Bulls almost traded Pau Gasol for him and something else in Hoiberg’s first year, but pulled out. They may show interest again, as he needs a change of places.

Small Forwards

KEVIN DURANT! (Just kidding.)

Otto Porter, Jr., Washington Wizards (RFA)

He broke out for the Wizards as a 3-point sniper fitting next to John Wall and Bradley Beal. He’s gonna get paid almost $20 million a year, but the Bulls can overpay for him, seeing as he’s a restricted free agent and they have a lot of cap space and need shooters.

Jerami Grant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Grant has a ton of talent and the 76ers made a mistake by trading him. With a little polish and an improved jump shot, Grant could become a great player. He’s a solid defender and inside finisher. He won’t cost much and could be one of the biggest bargains in free agency.

Troy Williams, Houston Rockets (RFA)

Williams has a great ability to finish inside and dunks a lot, not to mention a solid 3-point shooter, who showed his ability in his limited playing time with Houston. He’s spent a lot of time in the D-League recently. A young player like him should be on the Bulls’ radar.

Power Forward

Amir Johnson, Boston Celtics

He’s just a glue guy, but he has a good veteran presence that could be useful to these young players in the rebuild. He’s already drawing interest from the Bulls, according to sources.

Anthony Tolliver, Sacramento Kings

Similar to Johnson, Tolliver is a great locker room guy that could help a lot of young teams. He has a good 3-point shot and can play both forward positions and wherever he goes, he will find a way to assist that team.

Alan Williams, Phoenix Suns and JaMychal Green, Memphis Grizzlies (both are RFAs)

Each of these guys had their first season of big minutes being played last year and both showed that they were solid. Green is a workhorse power forward who could turn into a smaller type of a Zach Randolph. Williams is a great defender and he hustles in games. Both could be useful to Chicago.

Center

Nerlens Noel, Dallas Mavericks (RFA)

He’s going get a big deal and the Mavericks don’t want him to leave, but he is expected to listen to offers. The Bulls should come in and overpay for this great defensive center, who has a bit of a jump shot and he would make Robin Lopez expendable for future assets, which could really help jumpstart the rebuild.

Kelly Olynyk, Boston Celtics (RFA)

Olynyk could leave if the Celtics have to give a rich contract to Blake Griffin or Gordon Hayward, and he is a stretch-five who will be a productive big man for many years, but not as a starter. He could actually be a useful young player for the Bulls.

Next: Bulls in Free Agency: What will they do with their own (or ... already have done)?

Willie Reed, Miami Heat

He became a solid rotational two-way player for Miami last year. He could be a great backup big man, but he won’t come too cheap, as he’s been getting too many minimum contracts.