Still Available Players Chicago Bulls Must Target

Most of the NBA’s big-name free agents are off the market. However, there are a few quality players who are still available.

The Chicago Bulls need to sign a free agent or two to fill out the roster. The team lacks any cap space and already used their mid-level exception on Mike Dunleavy, which means they can only offer someone a minimum contract.

While the Bulls re-signed Nazr Mohammed, they could use an additional reserve big man. Adding a shooting guard to play behind starter Jimmy Butler and rookie Tony Snell would also make a lot of sense.  

Here’s a quartet of bargain-bin free agents who the Bulls must target this summer.  

Andrew Goudelock

Andrew Goudelock is currently on the Bulls’ Summer League squad, and it’s possible he could make the team’s real roster for next season.

The 6’3” guard was impressive in Chicago’s first Summer League game, scoring 26 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field. He drilled three of his five attempts from downtown. Although it wasn’t an NBA playoff game, it was still impressive, nonetheless.

Speaking of the playoffs, Goudelock scored a career-high 20 points for the Los Angeles Lakers this past season, filling in for the injured Kobe Bryant.

The Bulls were one of the league’s worst shooting teams in 2012-13. Fortunately, they've acquired guys like Dunleavy, Snell and second-round pick Erik Murphy to address the need this offseason. The team needs to reel in a sharpshooter like Goudelock as well.

Elton Brand

Chicago’s roster includes three former Duke stars in Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer and Dunleavy. Why not make it four with the addition of Elton Brand? The Bulls could then change their name to the “Windy City Blue Devils.”

The Bulls made Brand the top pick in the 1999 NBA draft. He would spend two seasons in Chicago before being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers for high-schooler Tyson Chandler.

While he isn’t the 20-10 guy he used to be, Brand is still a solid scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker. The two-time All-Star averaged 7.2 points, six rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game last season for the Dallas Mavericks.

A power forward for most of his career, Brand is more of a center nowadays. He could serve as a top-notch backup for Joakim Noah and strengthen the Bulls’ second unit a great deal.         

Will Brand wind up returning to where it all started? A lot of Chicago sports fans wouldn’t mind it one bit.

Cole Aldrich

You may not be familiar with the name Cole Aldrich, as he hasn’t played much during his career. Actually, he has appeared in just 89 games in three pro seasons. Yet, he has the potential to be a valuable big man off the bench.

Aldrich averaged a not-so-glamorous 3.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game last season. However, his 10.3 points, 13 boards and 2.9 blocks per 36 minutes aren’t so hideous.

Aldrich had a nice performance versus the Houston Rockets this past April. The former Kansas center recorded 12 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks on six-of-seven shooting from the field.

He was at it again the following night, collecting 12 points and 13 rebounds against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Bulls are in need of another big body down low, and the 6’11”, 245-pound Aldrich fits the bill. Plus, they wouldn’t have to break the bank to sign him.

Metta World Peace

Like Brand, Metta World Peace was also drafted by the Bulls in ’99 and spent the first part of his career with the team. He, of course, went by the name Ron Artest back in those days.

The Lakers recently waived World Peace via the amnesty clause. He will become an unrestricted free agent if no team claims him off waivers. In the event that he does become a free agent, the Bulls should attempt to pick him up.

World Peace is known for his defense, which would make him a nice acquisition for the Bulls. Everyone knows how much coach Tom Thibodeau loves defense.

World Peace is also known for possessing character issues, but on a positive note, he would bring championship experience to Chicago. He helped the Kobe and Paul Gasol-led Lakers capture a title in 2010.  

Dennis Rodman was zany back in the day for the Bulls, but he helped the team win championships. While MWP isn’t on Rodman’s level, you get the point.