Bulls Rumors: Why Richard Hamilton Will Still Be in Chicago Next Season

The Chicago Bulls have a lot of unanswered questions heading into next season.

With Derrick Rose unlikely to play for the first couple of months, and speculation surrounding the futures of some key players, coach Tom Thibodeau has some serious work to do.

Hanging on to veteran Richard Hamilton should be high on his priority list now that a trade for O.J. Mayo has fallen through.

The Bulls brought in Hamilton last year with the intention of seeing him become an instrumental part of their championship team.

Well that certainly didn't happen, but it's not to say that it won't this season.

Trading Hamilton now for little or no value would be a silly move, when no one in the league wants to deal with his health issues.

Rip averaged significantly less minutes (only 25) than we've come to expect, due to his nagging injuries all season long.

However, he put up 12 points and three assists per game and shot well from the field. Respectable numbers for the 34-year-old considering the circumstances.

With few other options at the SG position, Thibodeau really has no other option but to hang on to him.

Hamilton will have the offseason to (hopefully) get fit and come back with a vengeance next year.

He may never get back to his Pistons days where he was putting up more than 20 points a game, but when given the opportunity, he always makes a solid impact.