Chicago Bulls: 4 Bulls Who Aren't Returning Next Season

The Chicago Bulls will definitely make some roster moves, and four Bulls will be shown the door.

These Bulls are all members of the vaunted "Bench Mob," but their lack of production during the season means they will not return.

For the Bulls to be championship contenders, Chicago needs to not retain these players' services.

Here are the four Bulls who won't lace up for Chicago anymore.

Brian Scalabrine

Brian Scalabrine cheers on his Chicago Bulls teammates really well, but that's all the NBA's most glorified cheerleader can do.

The 34-year-old Scalabrine played only 132 minutes this year (mostly in garbage time) and had 32 points.

Scalabrine was so unreliable that Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau didn't use him in Game 6 even when an exhuasted Omer Asik played a career-high 39 minutes. And he didn't play in Games 3 through 5 when Bulls center Joakim Noah was injured.

Scalabrine might be a good locker room presence, but the Bulls need someone who can actually contribute off the bench.

John Lucas III

Another Chicago Bulls player who won't come back is John Lucas III.

An NBA journeyman throughout his career, Lucas did average 7.5 points and 2.2 assists off the bench.

However, Lucas lacks size (5'11", 165 pounds) and is a defensive liability, as short point guards like the Boston Celtics' Rajon Rondo and Philadelphia 76ers' Lou Williams post up on him.

Lucas tends to over-dribble and is a volume-shooter who disrupts the Bulls' offensive flow.

With Derrick Rose likely to miss half, or more, of the 2012-13 NBA season, the Bulls need to upgrade their point guard situation.

Don't expect Lucas to return next year.

C.J. Watson

C.J. Watson did a good job initially as the Chicago Bulls' backup point guard, but the Bulls will most likely not pick up his team option ($3.7 million).

The 28-year-old Watson faded in April (7.4 points on 32.1 percent shooting) and was nowhere to be found against the Philadelphia 76ers (7.3 points on 24.1 percent shooting).

The Bulls' offense was stagnant against the Sixers, and teams will replicate having a bigger player like Evan Turner (6'7") to slow down Watson.

Watson did have plantar fasciitis in both feet during the season, but the Bulls should be concerned with Watson's lack of postseason production.

Couple underachievement with the Bulls approaching the luxury tax, and Watson will be a goner.

Ronnie Brewer

Ronnie Brewer is a strong perimeter defender, but the Chicago Bulls know he lacks an offensive game.

And it seems Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau is noticing that.

During the Philadelphia 76ers series, Brewer played only 83 minutes and managed just eight points on 4-of-16 shooting.

Brewer was so bad that Thibs benched his booty the entire Game 3.

With Jimmy Butler (who has a better jumper) waiting in the wings and $4.37 million potentially on the books, the Bulls will buy out Brewer for $333,000.

 

Bob Bajek is an NBA/Chicago Bulls featured columnist. He is also a freelance reporter and can be followed on Patch.com and Twitter.