Chicago Bulls: 3 free agents the team was smart to avoid

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Derrick Rose Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

Free agents the Chicago Bulls were wise to avoid: Derrick Rose

I do know this player has to be considered the most controversial inclusion on this list. There are definitely some Bulls fans that would love to see the return of the former MVP-winning point guard and three-time All-Star Derrick Rose to his hometown of the Windy City. But the timing just didn’t feel right for the Bulls to sign Rose last offseason.

It would be great to eventually see a reunion take place between the Bulls and Rose. And that point might soon be here given that Rose is now 33 years old. But for now, Rose is succeeding with the New York Knicks and most Bulls fans are likely happy to see him finding consistent success in the NBA.

If the Bulls brought Rose back that would come with a bevy of risks that could turn some of the fan base against him once again. The Bulls also needed to sign a point guard that could be the face of the franchise at this position for the foreseeable future. And that’s what the front office got out of nabbing Lonzo from the Pelicans.

Rose is a quality point guard for a franchise like the Knicks that needs that veteran presence to lead the second unit oftentimes. But the Bulls now have the likes of Lonzo, Caruso, Coby, etc., to spearhead the team at the one in the starting unit and off the bench. Rose would cause some real overcrowding and injury risk is still a very real thing with him.