Should the Chicago Bulls Take a Chance on Brandon Roy?

Brandon Roy's rumored return to the NBA has been confirmed. Pro Basketball Talk's Matt Moore acknowledged this and it's evident Roy desires to hit the NBA hardwood again soon.

This leads NBA fans to a host of questions.

How healthy is Roy? Is it only a matter of time before his knee condition flares up again? If he is healthy, how close to his former self will he be? And most importantly, what jersey will he soon be wearing?

Due to NBA rules, Roy can't play for the Portland Trail Blazers until 2014-2015, and with his desire to return sooner, it's apparent the three-time All-Star will be wearing a different jersey than the one he's worn throughout his NBA career.

This will inevitably cause a handful of teams to speculate on Roy's potential. As recently as 2009, Roy was an All-NBA Second Team player, and undoubtedly one of the most potent guards in the league. Even if he never returns to his All-Star form, he could still become a valuable contributor if he remains healthy.

And, what if he does return to his old self (he's just 27)? While some may see him as a high-risk addition, it's undisputed that his presence could spark a high-reward profit.

Teams longing to fill a void at the shooting guard spot will surely show interest in Roy. The Chicago Bulls are seemingly an ideal fit for Roy, as they're a title-contending team but their 2-spot has been a cause for concern the past two seasons.

What makes this an even more plausible scenario is how the Bulls could use both Rip Hamilton and Roy. Hamilton battled injuries for much of his 2011-2012 stint with the Bulls, and at his age, he would be best suited to log rather limited minutes (i.e. 20-25 minutes a game). 

With Roy returning from a very serious injury, he's obviously not in a place to immediately start playing 35-40 minutes per outing. Thus, 20-25 minutes is a realistic expectation.

Therefore, a combination of Hamilton and Roy, who could be used interchangeably, could not only be a realistic scenario for the Bulls, but also create a lethal combination for Chicago (assuming both stay healthy).

The big question in all of this is what Roy's price tag will be. The Bulls do not have much extra cash to throw around this offseason. But if Roy is willing to come to a contender and find his niche in a great basketball city like Chicago, then perhaps Roy and Bulls management could strike a deal.

Other teams will definitely be in the bidding for Roy, and if a team is willing to overspend, then the Bulls will have to look elsewhere for an upgrade at shooting guard. 

But if Roy can be had at a reasonable price, he could prove to be more than a bargain. He could prove to be the Bulls' missing piece to a championship run.