Bulls Rumors: Aaron Brooks and More Free-Agency Buzz Surrounding Chicago

The Chicago Bulls have overhauled the team this offseason, and rumors are circulating that the franchise is not done making a splash via free agency.

As if signing Pau Gasol, Nikola Mirotic and rookie Doug McDermott wasn’t enough, Chicago is reportedly interested in signing both Aaron Brooks and John Lucas III.

Here are the latest rumors surrounding the Bulls and available free agents.

Aaron Brooks

Chicago already has one of the most gifted point guards in the NBA on the roster in Derrick Rose, but a series of injuries have cost him the better part of the last three seasons (he's played just 49 games since 2011-12).

The franchise must add a player who can take the starting role when needed or come off the bench when Rose is healthy and playing well. Former Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets starter Aaron Brooks may be the perfect fit.

According to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, the Bulls are reportedly close to signing Brooks:

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The Chicago Bulls are finalizing a deal with free-agent guard Aaron Brooks, according to sources close to the talks.

Sources told ESPN.com that the Bulls are closing in on the addition of Brooks to give them some backcourt scoring punch off the bench.

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Brooks was traded midseason and never really found his rhythm. While he struggled with Houston to start the season, he bounced back with Denver and managed 11.9 points and 5.2 assists in his 29 games with the club.

Chicago also managed to re-sign Kirk Hinrich to a two-year deal, via the Associated Press(h/t USA Today), and adding Brooks now would bolster the backcourt and strengthen what was one of the team’s biggest weaknesses last season.

John Lucas III

One of the rumors flying under the radar is the Bulls' interest in former role player and current free agent John Lucas III.

Lucas has been an NBA journeyman over the course of his six-year career, but his most successful season came during the 2011-12 campaign with Chicago. He managed a career-high 7.5 points and 2.2 assists per game that year.

According to Stein’s Twitter account, the Bulls are also reportedly interested in bringing Lucas back:

Since his breakout season with Chicago, Lucas has played for the Toronto Raptors and Utah Jazz over the last two seasons but has not reached the same level he showcased under Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau.

The team will have serious depth if it signs Brooks as well, but Lucas is a player who has no problem coming off the bench and contributing. Whether it’s in the offensive zone as a point or shooting guard or in the defensive zone as a shutdown defender, he is an affordable fit for the Bulls.

*Stats via NBA.com.

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