NBA Free Agency 2012: 10 Players to Replace Ronnie Brewer for Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls hold a team option on shooting guard Ronnie Brewer and they may decide to decline the option, get under the luxury tax, and find a cheaper replacement with part of the mid-level exception or on their own roster.

Brewer is a good reserve player on a reasonable contract so the team may opt to keep him.  But, if they do not, what are the viable NBA free agency alternatives?

Keep Ronnie Brewer

Chicago's best option may be to simply keep Brewer for one more season.  Brewer definitely has his warts—his offense gets worse every year, he can no-longer shoot for a good percentage (.427), has no three point range (.275 from beyond the arc) and is down to averaging only 6.9 points per game.  

But he is still in his prime at 27, plays exceptional on-ball and team defense, and gets a lot of steals that disrupt the opponent's back-court flow.  He also will cost only $4.4 million in 2012-2013 and the Bulls would have a hard time finding similar value on the open market.  

Groom Jimmy Butler

Jimmy Butler was the Bulls' 30th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.  A talented swingman out of Marquette, his reputation was built on grit, hard work, and defense, which fits the Bulls' team.  

Chicago may decide to let Brewer go and replace him by promoting Butler to the reserve guard role behind Rip Hamilton.  Butler fit in well with his teammates in his rookie season and looks like he could be a nice reserve player long term.

However, Butler averaged 1.3 minutes per game with negligible in-game statistics in his rookie season. Brewer was a crucial reserve guard who played for 25 minutes per game.  It may be too early to ask Butler to step up and replace him.  

Draft Brewer's Replacement

Chicago may opt to make a big draft day move to acquire a blue chip prospect like Austin Rivers or Brady Beal to be their shooting guard of the future.  That would be a game-changing decision.  But, if they only move up slightly or stay put in the draft, the Bulls could still let Brewer go and draft a replacement.

Swingman Moe Harkless from St. Johns might be available and he would offer great upside, scoring, and athleticism.  Khris Middleton of Texas A&M has a great mid-range game and would replicate many of Brewer's strengths.  

John Jenkins of Vanderbilt is a lights out shooter.  And Kentucky guard Doron Lamb is a great shooter and proven winner, which fits the Bulls' team.  So, if Chicago chooses to use the draft, there are a number of good choices. 

Sign Ray Allen

With Rose out, signing Allen looks like a long shot.  But if the Bulls drop Brewer it would open up the money to sign Allen to a two year deal at the mid-level, similar to Rip Hamilton's contract from 2011.  

Allen likes Boston but he won't start there anymore with the emergence of Avery Bradley. Allen could start in 2012 with Hamilton as the sixth man (historically, Rip has not loved that role but Allen is a Hall of Fame player).

In 2013, with Rose returning, the Bulls could decline Hamilton's team option, use the money elsewhere, and draft a player to groom in Allen's last season.  

Sign Manny Harris

Harris, the former Michigan star who was a Cleveland Cavalier in 2011, is a very intriguing option for Chicago.  

In 2011, he played his way to 17.5 minutes per game in a reserve role while scoring 6.7 points per game, grabbing a few rebounds, and playing sound defense.  That sounds a lot like Ronnie Brewer, and the Bulls could probably sign Harris to a multi-year deal for close to the minimum.  

Sign Rudy Fernandez

The feisty Spanish guard could replace Brewer by providing starter-level production at a similar price. Fernandez averaged 8.6 points last season for the Denver Nuggets and became an integral part of their rotation before getting injured.  He would instantly become the Bulls' second best shooter behind Kyle Korver and give them their most potent long range combination in years.

Plus, while Fernandez's defense leaves something to be desired, he will benefit from the Bulls' system and Jimmy Butler can step up and fill the defensive stopper role.  

Sign Brandon Rush

Rush consistently got a bad rap in his years with Indiana, which may help the Bulls get him cheap.  He has thrived with Golden State by averaging 9.8 points and 3.9 rebounds with good percentages (.501 from the field and .452 from three).  

He also has good defense and a strong 15.25 PER and is still only 26 years old. Rush may be a good, late-blooming former lottery pick who the Bulls can snatch up before everyone realizes how good he can be in the right situation.  

Sign Courtney Lee

Courtney Lee, the starting shooting guard for an Orlando Magic team that went to the NBA Finals in 2009, could be a great fit for the Bulls.  He plays tough defense, is a team-first player, and can knock down the open three pointers.  

He is also a starting caliber player but he did not get showcased by the Rockets, so he might come at a lower contract value than one would otherwise expect.  And, since the Rockets have so many good-but-not-great players, they might choose to let him go in restricted free agency.  

Sign Carlos Delfino

Delfino is a good replacement option for Chicago.  He proved that he can defend in Scott Skiles' tough Milwaukee system, he scored 9 points per game last season, and he knocks down three pointers at a 36% clip.  He is also the type of good-but-not-great player who often misses out on the free agency bonanza, so the Bulls may be able to scoop him up.  

Other Possible Free Agent Options

Chicago could have other choices as well.  The Knicks may have to choose between Landry Fields and Bill Walker because they also have to resign Jeremy Lin. Chauncey Billups is an unrestricted free agent who can play both guard spots.  Leandro Barbosa may want to leave frigid Canada.  

So, regardless of what they decide to do, the Bulls will have many options at shooting guard for next season.