NBA Trade Speculation: Veteran Shooting Guard Options for Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls fell short in the Eastern Conference Finals last spring because they lacked a solid two-guard who could score in the fourth quarter.

The Miami Heat had LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in crunch time, and that was the difference.

The end of the NBA lockout brings with it new opportunity for the young Bulls, led by league MVP Derrick Rose they will once again be in the hunt for the title, but without a key roster tweak, they won't stand a chance of winning it all.

Here are three veteran SG options that the Bulls have been rumored to be interested in that could help them going forward:

Vince Carter

The Phoenix Suns are expected to part with Carter this offseason, and that could mean one of the league's top scorers is humbly on the market.

Chicago could pick him up for cheap hopefully, especially if Phoenix exercises its amnesty option on the former Tar Heel, and avoid severe cap penalties while putting some scoring around Rose in the back court.

2010-11 Stats: 14.0 PPG, 2.0 APG, 3.8 RPG

Mike Miller

Miller has a very uncertain future in Miami, just like nearly every player on the Heat roster not named James, Wade or Chris Bosh at this point.

Miller can defend and shoot the three-ball very well, even though he is a streak shooter. Miller has exceptional size for a two-guard and a solid handle which makes him a viable option this December for Chicago.

Miller is another potential amnesty cut that could be a cheap patch for the Bulls backcourt.

2010-11 Stats: 5.6 PPG, 1.2 APG, 4.5 RPG

Richard Hamilton

Rip Hamilton is getting old and Detroit could very well part ways with the veteran bull's eye via the new amnesty clause this offseason.

Chicago isn't in desperate need of a superstar at SG, just a bona fide scorer who can be efficient and clutch when called on. Hamilton is that guy.

He still has some basketball left in the tank and the Bulls are not a work in progress but a legitimate contender in the wide-open Eastern Conference.

2010-11 Stats: 14.1 PPG, 3.1 APG, 2.3  RPG