Chicago Bulls: They Won't Be Adding Anyone, Including J.R. Smith, in Free Agency

The Chicago Bulls are still considered second fiddle to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference.

This, despite their deep playoff run last season. Despite the addition of Richard Hamilton to fill the offensive-production void at shooting guard. Despite having the deepest bench, filled with starter-quality players, in the NBA. 

Case after case has been made about who else Chicago needs to pick up in order to be able to best the team down in South Beach.

One of the most mentioned names is shooting guard J.R. Smith.

News flash: It’s not going to happen.

Sure, Chicago could use a skill set like the one Smith boasts.

He can create his own shot off the dribble and get hot really fast from three, but he doesn’t always take the best shots and sometimes keeps shooting to his team’s detriment when he knows his attempts aren’t falling.

Sure, there’s also the downside of Smith’s hothead reputation and ability to disrupt team chemistry, but even that isn’t the reason why the Bulls won’t seriously pursue him.

In fact, head coach Tom Thibodeau is a good enough coach and disciplinarian, and the team is a tight enough unit to negate Smith’s negatives.

No, Chicago will not pursue Smith—or anyone else for that matter—because Thibodeau already has his guys, period. Thibodeau is a fiercely loyal coach who stands by and maximizes the talent of the players on his roster.

Looking back to last season, it was very obvious that Keith Bogans was an offensive liability, but that didn’t stop Thibodeau from starting him for all 82 games and throughout the playoffs.

Keith was his guy at the time and Thibodeau was playing him.

Even when the Bulls acquired Hamilton, Thibodeau took his time to make sure Hamilton could play in Chicago's system. Hamilton didn’t even see the floor until the final preseason game against the Indiana Pacers.

To further drive home the point of loyalty, just look at the Dwight Howard situation.

It was reported early on in the season that the Bulls were interested in acquiring the Orlando Magic big man.

Well, what team wouldn’t be interested in a defensive, athletic center who can anchor any frontcourt in the league?

Despite Chicago making its interest known, the Magic couldn't have been too intrigued, seeing as how little talk there was from the Bulls organization about who they would be willing to offer for Howard.

Part of it may have been that Orlando was demanding too much, but part of it may have also been that Orlando wanted a player (or players) with whom Chicago was not willing to part.

Still not convinced? Okay, here’s the last point.

Name the biggest midseason free-agent acquisition Chicago has made over the last few seasons.

If you are stumped, here's the answer: Rasual Butler (hold the applause).

Many fans felt that, given his offensive knack, Butler could crack the Bulls rotation and even wrestle the starting spot away from Bogans.

But, alas, Butler merely sat and sat and sat some more in a role that was obviously more about keeping Brian Scalabrine company than it was about injecting some scoring into the offense.

For all the talk about what the Bulls lack or could use to get over their Heat hump, all of it is a distant second to what really ails Chicago: injuries.

Thibodeau and company are more than aware of this issue.

Just like last season, though, the Bulls are confident that this group of players gives them the best chance at winning if they are all in shape to play and contribute.

Apparently, a lot of other people think that a healthy, well-rounded, deep team isn’t enough to win a championship. Their winning formula seems to be a collection of superstars surrounded by a bevy of anonymous henchmen.

Don’t expect to see any major roster changes or additions over the course of this season. What you see is definitely what you get in Chicago.