Chicago Bulls: 3 Players Who Won't Be Around in 2013

Made you look!  Derrick Rose will of course be a Bull in 2013!

The Chicago Bulls are one of the NBA's most stable teams.  After adding many pieces to the roster in 2010 free agency, Chicago has quietly added talent on the edges while keeping most of the roster intact.

But, there is always turnover in professional basketball and the Bulls are no exception.  So, which current Chicago players will not be around in 2013?

C.J. Watson, Point Guard

C.J. Watson is one of the Bulls better bench contributors but Chicago will look to find a cheaper replacement in 2013 free agency.

Watson has averaged 10.5 points in 2011-12 and is 27 years old. He will look for a good payday in this free agency year, likely most of a team's mid-level exception to be their sixth man.  

The Bulls like Watson but he is more of a scorer than a distributor and he has a shooting percentage under .400 this season. Chicago prefers John Lucas III, will likely re-sign him at a cheaper rate than Watson, and look for a third point guard in the bargain bin.  

Taj Gibson, Power Forward

The Bulls LOVE Gibson. But he is their best asset in a trade for a new impact player, which means he may not be around in 2013.

Gibson is the perfect Chicago sixth man. He is an important member of their front-court rotation. But with the emergence of Omer Asik, Gibson is expendable for the right player.

Who is that player? Pau Gasol? The Bulls certainly hope so because Gasol would be the perfect fit for Chicago.  But there are other potential fits, including Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson, and Chicago will look at all of them.  

Brian Scalabrine, Power Forward

Everyone loves Brian Scalabrine. By all accounts, he is like a coach on the court and a critical part of the team's practice sessions.

But he can no longer play during a real NBA game. 

Scalabrine has one of the worst player efficiency ratings in all of basketball. He may be the least productive player on any NBA roster...on the court. But, the Bulls should still consider keeping him around for his locker room management and towel-waving talents.