Chicago Bulls: Players Whose Returns Are Doubtful for Next Season

The Chicago Bulls' season came to a close almost a week ago with a 94-91 loss to the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

While most of us will look back at what could have been, it is time to begin looking ahead towards next season.

Based on that premise, here is a quick glance at some of the players who may not be back in the Windy City in 2013-14.

Vladamir Radmanovic

Vladamir Radmanovic is one of the more obvious selections on the list. With averages of just 1.3 points and 1.0 rebounds per contest, he did not provide much from an offensive standpoint.

For the most part, the only time that fans saw Radmanovic on the floor was when the outcome of the games were already decided, thus proving that Thibodeau did not have confidence that he could produce in key situations.

Rip Hamilton

When the Chicago Bulls acquired Rip Hamilton prior to the start of the 2011-12 season, it was done with the intention of providing Derrick with scoring support in the backcourt.

However, due to a variety of injuries, Hamilton missed 38 games during this first year with the team and missed 32 games this year.

As a result, he never became the secondary scorer the organization was counting on, and although he had decent showings in the last two playoff games against the Heat, it is obvious that his days with the team are numbered.

Daequan Cook

Daequan Cook signed with Chicago in January after appearing in just 16 games for the Houston Rockets.

Known mostly for his ability to knock down perimeter jumpers (37 percent from beyond the arc), the Bulls were hoping Cook would be able to help bolster a team that ranked 21st in the league in three-point shooting.

However, in 33 appearances, Cook shot a horrendous 28 percent from the field overall and connected on just 25 percent of his field-goal attempts from distance.

With outside shooting expecting to be one of the team's top priorities in the offseason (via Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times), it is unlikely that Cook will be part of the equation come next season.

Marco Belinelli

Marco Belinelli struggled in Tom Thibodeau's rotation early in the season and his playing time was limited as a result.

In 46 appearances off the bench, he averaged 7.6 points, 1.7 assists and 1.4 rebounds per contest.

Despite the low production coming off the bench, Belinelli proved his value to the team when he was given extended minutes.

In fact, in 27 games as a starter, Belinelli's numbers jumped to 13 points, 2.6 assists and 2.8 rebounds per outing, and along with that, he showed the ability to play effectively at multiple positions.

That said, the shooting guard has more than likely drawn the interest from several teams around the league, and it is doubtful the Bulls will be in a position to sign him to a multi-year deal.

Nate Robinson

When the Bulls signed Nate Robinson last summer, his contract was not guaranteed until January (per Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago).

While this was not the greatest display of confidence from an organizational standpoint, Robinson was always confident in his ability to play at a high level.

This was evident by the fact that he had solid production as both a starter (14.8 points and 6.1 assists) and coming off the bench as well (12.4 points and 3.7 assists).

Robinson was also the team's second leading scorer behind Carlos Boozer with 16.3 points per game during the postseason.

His 34-point performance in Game 4 against the Brooklyn Nets in the opening round, and the 27-point outburst against the Heat in Game 1 of the semifinals, proved that Robinson can carry a team in stretches.

Unfortunately, as is the case with Marco Belinelli, Robinson will come at an expensive price tag—one the Bulls will be unable to match.