5 hometown players the Chicago Bulls should sign before they retire

1. Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose is the most iconic player in Chicago Bulls history since Michael Jordan, as his presence reignited a fanbase that had suffered through the post-Jordan era of the early 2000s. Attending Simeon in Chicago and being named Illinois Mr. Basketball and a McDonald’s All-American, Rose has always been a hero in Chicago. When the Chicago Bulls had a 1.7% chance of landing the first pick in the 2008 draft, it seemed like destiny that they were able to pick Derrick Rose.

From there, D-Rose broke out, making waves in the NBA and becoming the youngest NBA MVP of all time at 22 years old. His explosive style of basketball and ability to show up in clutch situations made him beloved by all Bulls fans, and he was able to compile quite the highlight reel.

He led the Bulls to consistent playoff appearances, but injuries made him fall out of favor with the franchise and led to a trade that sent him to the New York Knicks. He was able to revitalize his career at times, averaging at least 18 points per game with the Knicks, Timberwolves, and Pistons in 3 of the next 4 seasons. However, the injuries took away that athleticism and explosiveness that helped him win that MVP.

Now, Rose is in the playoffs with the New York Knicks, but is mostly riding the bench. However, he is still a fan favorite, even getting a standing ovation when he made a playoff appearance. It is clear that the 34-year-old is nearing the end of his career, and the Bulls definitely need to sign him, even if it is an honorary contract to let him retire as a Bull. The franchise needs to do this to pay tribute to everything he did for the city of Chicago by letting the hometown hero come home.