NBA Free Agents: 7 Players the Chicago Bulls Might Be Able to Sign

The Lockout is finally over.

Teams were able to start contacting agents on Wednesday, and Thursday players were able to enter team facilities. However, since the new CBA has yet to be ratified, they can't talk to or interact with coaches or front office personal.

None of that has slowed down the rumor-mill. We have heard a lot of names linked to the Bulls, but it is time to separate dreams from reality. 

Gar Foreman does not have a lot of space to work with. Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer have long-term deals and Joakim Noah's extension kicks in this season. For those wondering where the cap space went, well, just look at Noah's salary jumping from $3 million to $12 million.

Unless guys like Jason Richardson and Jamal Crawford are willing to take huge discounts, you can cross them off the list.

You can also eliminate all the restricted free agents. The Bulls are not in a position to offer a deal to guys like Nick Young and Marcus Thornton that would deter their old team from matching it.

Finally, those hoping to get Brandon Roy after Portland releases him using the amnesty clause can forget that too.

What makes it hard for top-tier teams to capitalize on amnesty casualties is that the NBA has put in a bidding system allowing under-the-cap-teams to win a player's rights first.

For example, a team like the Clippers or Timberwolves could claim Roy or Rip Hamilton, denying the Bulls a chance to sign them.

So, who's left? 

Anthony Parker

He might not be a flashy name, but the Bulls could do a lot worse than Anthony Parker.

Parker, 37, grew up in the Chicago area and would probably much rather play for a contender rather than the lottery-bound Cavaliers.

Since returning to the NBA in 2006, Parker has proved to be an impressive three-point shooter. For his career, he is a 40.9 percent shooter from beyond the arc with a high of 44 percent one season.

Parker, at 6'6", would also provide a solid defender to throw at LeBron James or Dwyane Wade.

As a bonus to the Bulls, he might come cheaply and allow them to possibly sign someone else off this list as well.

Michael Redd

If it wasn't for the last three injury-plagued seasons, I think everyone would be happy with the addition of Michael Redd.

Redd is a career 20 point-per-game scorer but has only played in 61 games combined in the last three seasons.

This is a perfect example of a low-risk/huge-reward scenario.

If Redd is healthy or can even play 20-25 minutes a night, then he is a great pickup. However, if he can't stay healthy, it won't be a big loss because of the bargain price they will sign him for.

Redd might get bigger offers from other teams, but at the age of 32, might be willing to take less with the Bulls.

For more on Michael Redd, you can read an article here which I wrote during the lockout.

Tracy McGrady

Last summer Tracy McGrady wanted to sign with Chicago. The Bulls decided to pass and he ended up in Detroit with the Pistons.

Well, McGrady is on the market again and is said to be interested in joining the Bulls.

The biggest thing that McGrady proved last season was he is finally healthy. He played in 72 games for Detroit, starting 39 of them.

While his numbers weren't great, he did show flashes of his old form. Also, don't forget he was competing for playing time in a crowded backcourt with Ben Gordon, Rip Hamilton and Rodney Stuckey.

Much like Redd, this has the potential to be a good signing with a huge reward if McGrady has anything left in the tank.

Caron Butler

Caron Butler might be more of a small forward than shooting guard, but I think the Bulls could work it out.

Butler missed most of last season due to a knee injury but is reportedly healthy and has been training in Chicago during the lockout.

One report has Butler telling sources that he is hoping to stay in Chicago.

Unlike McGrady and Redd, Butler might cost the Bulls some money.

Butler, 30, is a decent scorer but does struggle from beyond the arc. For his career he is a 31.9 percent shooter from three-point land.

Not exactly what the Bulls are looking for to help spread the court.

However, he makes up for his lack of shooting with his defense. The combo of him and Luol Deng could give a lot of teams, including Miami, fits. 

Grant Hill

Grant Hill, like many before him, has become a much better shooter when playing with Steve Nash.

He is a career 31.9 percent three-point shooter but over the last two seasons has shot 43.8 and 39.5 percent from beyond the arc.

On top of that, Hill almost makes half of the shots he takes.

For those questioning his health, have no fear, he has only missed three games over the last three season. Hill hasn't been this healthy since his first four years in the league.

Hill will have other suitors like Miami, Boston and New York calling for his services, but hopefully the idea of playing alongside Derrick Rose is enough to entice him.

Vince Carter

We had Air Jordan, so why not Air Canada?

The only question with Vince Carter is if the Suns will pick up his option or not.

If not, Carter might be willing to take much less to join the Bulls and walk into a starting job. Few teams will be able to offer Carter a chance to start on a team built to contend.

While not the scorer he once was, he is better shooter than Butler and McGrady and doesn't come with the injury red flag.

This could be a win-win situation for both sides, as Carter continues to chase a championship.

Maybe they could add Carter and the final guy on the list.

Chris Douglas-Roberts

If I am the Bulls, I go hard after Chris Douglas-Roberts.

He is the youngest and has the most potential of any of the guys they have a legit shot of signing.

Douglas-Roberts, at 24 and 6'7", could be the guard to grow with Derrick Rose. Hell, he should be right at home reuniting with the MVP since they were college teammates.

If you don't think he has potential, you are crazy. The Bulls got to see what he can do firsthand when he scored 30 on them in January. By the way, he also scored 30 against the Heat just a few weeks before that.

He might not be the immediate upgrade this season, but he might be the future of the position in Chicago.

For a team like the Bulls, who won't have cap space for years to come, this is the risk they have to take. They have to hope that another team's bust can be their diamond in the rough, and Chris Douglas-Roberts is their best shot of doing that.

Update: According to CDR's Twitter account it doesn't sound like he is coming back from Italy.

CDouglasRoberts Chris Doug (Fresh) A 66 game season. W/that said, I'm ECSTATIC that we've reached a deal!!!! My vote is already in! I'll be back as an unrestricted FA next yr.