NBA Free Agency: Chicago Bulls Must Overpay To Avoid Being Left Out in the Cold

As the dominoes finally begin to fall, the free agent outlook in Chicago has suddenly become remarkably bleak.

Just days after meeting with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, the Bulls are on the verge of coming up empty.

It’s time to apply the full-court press to Carlos Boozer, David Lee, and Ray Allen.

With Wade and Bosh headed to Miami and LeBron James likely to remain in Cleveland, the Bulls appear destined to miss out on the three primary targets in the free agent frenzy.

There is still time, but the storied franchise now must decide whether to overpay for Lee or Boozer and throw money at Allen to lure him away from Boston.

The Bulls are likely to end up with one of the two marquee power forwards still on the market, and would be wise to target Boozer.

Despite his injury history and inflated numbers thanks to playing alongside Deron Williams, Boozer would give the Bulls a go-to scorer inside.

Lee is another player with inflated numbers thanks to Mike D’Antoni’s offense-only system in New York.  He can be an extremely valuable weapon, but he will never be a go-to guy in the post.

Neither player deserves a max-deal, but both the Nets and Bulls could consider overpaying to avoid striking out in free agency.

Meanwhile, Ray Allen remains on the market despite numerous reports that he is planning to return to the Celtics.

Throwing huge money at Allen might tempt him to leave Boston.  The salary cap dumping efforts of both the Bulls and Nets have certainly given them plenty of money to spend.

Despite lacking star power, a starting five in Chicago including Boozer and Allen could certainly compete with Cleveland and Miami in the Eastern Conference.

The Heat have landed two of the three biggest prizes in free agency, but the rest of the roster is in tatters.  Miami doesn’t have a starting center and faces the distinct possibility of using Mario Chalmers as the starting point guard.

With Bosh and Wade under contract, there simply wouldn’t be enough money to fill out the remainder of the roster with a capable supporting cast.

Miami is likely trot out a lineup featuring two stars, Michael Beasley, and a cast of mediocre role players.

Assuming LeBron returns to Cleveland, the Cavaliers will look nearly identical to the squad that self-destructed against the Celtics last season.

Delonte West and Shaq probably won’t return, but don’t expect the Cavaliers to be able to trade Mo Williams or Antawn Jamison in the off-season.

Barring an unforeseen trade, both Cleveland and Miami will have major flaws next season.

For the immediate future at least, a Chicago lineup including Boozer and Allen would be able to compete with the rest of the Eastern Conference.

But in the long run, missing out on the biggest prizes in free agency likely will relegate the Bulls to early exits from the playoffs year after year.

Welcome to NBA hell.