Chicago Bulls Title Hopes Could Come Down to Ronnie Brewer and Kyle Korver
Over the past few months, I've written extensively on the moves the Chicago Bulls should make post-lockout to position themselves to make a serious run at the next seven or eight NBA Championships (note to readers and frequent comment-hounds: I said "make a serious run at" not "win seven or eight NBA championships").
Whether the move is to secure a top-notch shooting guard or use their resources to lure Magic center Dwight Howard to the Windy City, there are two players whose fate ultimately will decide whether or not the Bulls have the ability to form the ultimate franchise for the next decade:
Ronnie Brewer and Kyle Korver.
Now, before you click to the next excellent slideshow on Bleacher Report and completely dismiss this article and my contribution completely, I submit the following for your consideration:
Assuming that there is no 2011-12 NBA season, the Chicago Bulls will enter the 2012 offseason with approximately $47 million committed to eight players (by not picking up the option on C.J. Watson).
Carlos Boozer - $15 million
Luol Deng - $13.3 million
Joakim Noah - $11 million
Derrick Rose - $9 million (qualifying offer, could raise with new contract)
Kyle Korver - $5 million
Ronnie Brewer - $4.3 million
Omer Asik - $2.3 million
Taj Gibson - $2.1 million
In order to be in a position to sign NBA All-Star Derrick Rose to a long-term deal and have the cap space and financial flexibility to sign a player such as Howard to a maximum deal, the Bulls will need to find new homes for a few of their overpaid, secondary players. In particular, Kyle Korver and Ronnie Brewer.
Easier said than done, right?
Not necessarily. The decisions and moves to be made by Bulls GM Gar Forman depend on the player or players that the team target to add around Rose.
Scenario No. 1: Dwight Howard chooses to leave Orlando, but allows for a sign-and-trade to get additional money.
This scenario actually works out pretty well for the Bulls, because it allows for them to shed some salary while picking up the league's most dominant center and defender—a trade package including Noah, Brewer or Korver, Asik and a combination of picks. This move provides enough salary relief to sign Howard and give Rose his much deserved extension.
Scenario No. 2: Dwight Howard chooses to leave Orlando, and the sign-and-trade option is no longer part of the new CBA.
This is where Brewer and Korver must be dealt to free up cap space to sign Howard and extend Rose. As the Bulls would no longer need the services of Noah if they sign Howard, Chicago must find a trade partner who would be willing to take the salaries of Korver and/or Brewer along with Noah, while sending back some needed help.
A perfect match might be the Memphis Grizzlies, who are preparing for life after Marc Gasol and have a perfect match for Rose in OJ Mayo. A trade including Noah, Brewer and Korver to Memphis for Mayo, a first-round pick, and cap space with expiring contracts.
Scenario No. 3: Howard stays in Orlando, and the Bulls seek a quality shooting guard.
This is a much easier scenario to manage, because the Bulls would be sending equal contracts for equal contracts to make the numbers match. However, finding a trade partner for a top shooting guard will be daunting, unless you call the Houston Rockets.
Houston has Kevin Martin to offer to the highest bidder. He is relatively expensive, and will be looking for a new deal in 2013, but the Bulls have the pieces to make this trade. Houston would probably be interested in Chicago's big men, including Omer Asik and some shooting guard help in return, as well as some expiring contracts.
The Bulls can send Asik, Brewer, Korver, their own No. 1 pick in 2012 and the No. 1 they received from Charlotte in the Tyrus Thomas trade (a likely top-10 pick) to Houston for Martin.
In either case, all of these scenarios depend on the Bulls ability to utilize Korver and Brewer in trades better than they have been able to use them on the basketball court.
