NBA Free Agents 2011: 5 Players the Chicago Bulls Should Consider Signing

With the NBA's free agency period right around the corner, there has been much speculation as to which players the Chicago Bulls may sign.

Bulls general manager Gar Foreman and his fellow executives know that the team must add a legitimate scoring threat to complement Derrick Rose.

A scoring threat alongside D-Rose with a few excellent draft picks should help Chicago challenge teams like Miami for Eastern Conference supremacy next season.

Jason Richardson

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ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 26: Jason Richardson #23 of the Orlando Magic drives against the Atlanta Hawks during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2011 at the Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER:

Jason Richardson is a proven scorer who brings a spark with him to any team, and the Bulls could certainly use some additional spark.

The team must think carefully about signing Richardson though.

He averaged a career-low 13.9 PPG last season and only played in 55 regular-season games. Richardson also played a mere 25 games in the 2009-2010 season due to a season-ending injury.

Despite his previous two seasons though, Richardson would be a great addition to the Bulls' roster if he can avoid injury.

Bulls fans have to remember he is only 30 years old and has a career average of 18 PPG. If the team were to sign him, fans would have to hope he could experience a renaissance of sorts.

Jamal Crawford

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ATLANTA, GA - MAY 06: Jamal Crawford #11 of the Atlanta Hawks against the Chicago Bulls in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Phillips Arena on May 6, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknow

Jamal Crawford spent his first four seasons with the Chicago Bulls in 2000-2004, and a potential return is possible.

During the Eastern Conference semifinal matchup with the Hawks, Crawford gave the Bulls fits in every game, as he seemed to be able to score at will.

Crawford is coming off a 2010-2011 season in which he averaged 14.2 PPG, along with 3.2 APG.

His name hasn't been popular in potential Bulls' free-agent signings, but Crawford is a serious candidate to become a Chicago Bull this summer.

Caron Butler

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DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 15: Forward Caron Butler #4 of the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on December 15, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is c

Caron Butler is another attractive free agent who many teams will be taking a look at.

A career 16.6 PPG scorer, Butler is coming off a 2010-2011 season in which he only played in 29 games before going down with a season-ending knee injury. Despite undergoing knee surgery in January, Butler should be ready to go by preseason.

He is exactly the kind of player the Bulls are looking for this summer and is a likely candidate to be signed by the team.

Leandro Barbosa

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DENVER, CO - MARCH 21: Leandro Barbosa #20 of the Toronto Raptors takes a shot against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on March 21, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Raptors 123-90. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and ag

Leandro Barbosa has the player option in this summer's free agency period; it may be a stretch to say the Bulls might get him, but it's a possibility nonetheless.

Chicago has to consider the fact that Barbosa only played in 58 games last season and only 44 in 2009-2010. If he can remain healthy, he will be a consistent scoring threat as he has been his entire career.

Michael Redd

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SHANGHAI, CHINA - AUGUST 05: Michael Redd #8 of the USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team holds a ball against Brad Newley #8 of the Australia National Team during the USA Basketball International Challenge exhibition game at the Qizhong Arena on Aug

Michael Redd is the most likely player to be signed by Chicago this summer. His name has been a wildly popular one if Bulls' free-agent signing rumors are true.

Redd is a deadly shooter from three-point range and is a 20-point scorer on most nights.

The only risk the Bulls are taking is signing a player who has played in a total of 61 games the last three seasons. If Chicago is to sign him, he has to stay healthy for the team to compete with Miami for a chance at the NBA Finals.